New Zealand transport planning is unlikely to achieve healthy commuting

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Defining the problem and model boundary

Historical trend data, the international and national literature, and the documented concerns of decision-makers were used to describe the “problematic” trend in commuting patterns over time, as well as projected future trends. These trends were used to construct a reference mode, defined as a graphical representation of a pattern of behaviour conceptualised from related evidence, over a time span appropriate for addressing the trends (Albin, 1997; Saeed, 1999; Sterman, 2000, p. 90). Although using quantitative historical trends, this exercise is qualitative since it involves representing a pattern, and projecting this pattern into an inferred future (Saeed, 1999).
The Auckland metropolitan region was used as the study base for three main reasons. Firstly, the Auckland region is the largest metropolitan area in the country, the home of one quarter of the total New Zealand population (approximately 1.5 million people).
Secondly, Auckland is acknowledged to be a sprawling and car-dependent region. Traffic congestion and poor public transport feature highest in residents’ identification of issues detracting from quality of life in the region (Mein Consulting Ltd, 2008). Finally, the region is the geographical scale for local government transport planning in New Zealand.

Identification of stakeholders

Over a period of approximately 12 months during 2008 I used a purposive sampling strategy to identify major stakeholders involved in designing or implementing transport policy. Groups who might be affected by transport policy were also approached, particularly those groups identified by the literature as likely to incur health inequities
because of transport policy. An a priori determination of the major stakeholder groups that were considered to be important to represent was undertaken. The sampling frame for the recruitment of stakeholders is summarised in Box 5-1.

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Chapter 1. Introduction .
1.1. Urban commuting is an important public health problem
1.2. Theoretical perspective
1.3. Aims .
1.4. Auckland as the research case study .
1.5. Thesis structure
1.6. Roles in the projec
Chapter 2. Commuting is a complex public health issue
2.1. Approach to public health
2.2. The trip to work and wellbeing in cities .
2.3. Summary .
Chapter 3. New Zealand transport planning is unlikely to achieve healthy commuting
3.1. Evolution of Transport policy making internationally
3.2. Evolution of transport policy-making in New Zealand .
3.5. Summary
Chapter 4. Methodology
4.1. Health Impact Assessment
4.2. Comparative risk assessment
4.3. Participatory policy, planning and research processes
4.4. System dynamics modelling .
4.5. Participatory SD modelling
4.6. Summary ..
Chapter 5. Methods
Chapter 6. Development of the qualitative SD model .
Chapter 7. Development of the cycling simulation model .
Chapter 8. Policy simulations
Chapter 9. Discussion .