Forth Replacement Crossing Managed Crossing Scheme Scheme Definition Report Report on Scheme Development: August to November 2008 Published: March 2009 No part of this report may be copied or reproduced by any means without prior written permission from Jacobs Arup – Jacobs Engineering UK Limited and Ove Arup & Partners International Limited Consortium. If you have received this report in error, please destroy all copies in your possession or control and notify Jacobs Arup. This report has been prepared for the exclusive use of the commissioning party and unless otherwise agreed in writing by Jacobs Arup, no other party may use, make use of or rely on the contents of this report. No liability is accepted by Jacobs Arup for any use of this report, other than for the purposes for which it was originally prepared and provided. 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Contents Glossary i Abbreviations iv Bibliography and Workstream Timeline v 1 Executive Summary 1 1.1 Introduction 1 1.2 Route Corridor Options Review (January to May 2008) 1 1.3 DMRB Stage 2 Corridor Assessment (May to August 2008) 2 1.4 Main Crossing (Bridge) Assessment (January to August 2008) 3 1.5 Forth Road Bridge Feasibility of Multi-modal Corridor (August to October 2008) 3 1.6 Main Crossing (Bridge) Assessment (August to October 2008) 4 1.7 The Managed Crossing (August to November 2008) 5 2 Report Background 9 2.1 Introduction 9 2.2 Sustainable Development Objectives 11 3 Forth Replacement Crossing Route Corridor Options Review (January to May 2008) 12 3.1 Approach 12 3.2 Corridor Assessment 13 3.3 Rationale for Route Corridor Option Removal 13 4 DMRB Stage 2 Corridor Assessment (May to August 2008) 15 4.1 Approach 15 4.2 Stage 2 Assessment: Report Conclusions 15 4.3 Stage 2 Recommendation 17 5 Forth Road Bridge and Forth Replacement Crossing (January to October 2008) 18 5.1 Introduction 18 5.2 The Development of the Main Crossing Design (January to August 2008) 19 5.3 Forth Road Bridge Feasibility of Multi-modal Corridor (August to October 2008) 20 5.4 The D2M Forth Replacement Crossing (October to November 2008) 22 6 Definition of the Managed Crossing Scheme (August to November 2008) 24 6.1 The Managed Crossing 24 7 Environmental Considerations 32 7.1 Overview 32 7.2 Sustainability Appraisal 34 8 Cost Information: Full Corridor and Managed Crossing Scheme 36 8.1 Full Corridor Scheme: July 2008 estimate 36 8.2 Full Crossing and Managed Crossing Schemes: November 2008 estimates 38 9 Assessment against Scheme Specific Objectives 42 10 Economic Evaluation 44 10.1 Introduction 44 10.2 Economic Assessment 46 10.3 Wider Economic Input 46 11 Public Transport and other sustainable transport options 48 11.1 Introduction 48 11.2 Analysis of Bus Movements 49 12 Conclusion 51 Glossary Benefit to Cost Ratio An indicator, used in the formal discipline of cost-benefit (BCR) analysis that attempts to summarize the overall value for money of a project or proposal. A BCR is the ratio of the benefits of a project or proposal, expressed in monetary terms, relative to its costs, also expressed in monetary terms. D2M Dual two lane special road with hard shoulders. Access restrictions to certain classes of traffic will apply. Design Manual for A UK-wide comprehensive manual system which Roads and Bridges accommodates all current standards, advice notes and (DMRB) other published documents relating to the design, assessment and operation of trunk roads. Do-minimum a) For Environmental Assessment: The base situation where the Forth Road Bridge continues to operate at its present level of service. In addition, do- minimum scenarios comprising full or partial closures of the Forth Road Bridge over an extended period will be assessed qualitatively. b) For Economic Assessment: The continued operation of the existing road network with long term restrictions and temporary closures of the Forth Road Bridge for repair and maintenance. DMRB Stage 2 Corridor The detailed assessment of options in accordance with Assessment DMRB leading to the recommendation of a preferred option. Environmental Impact The process by which information about the environmental Assessment (EIA) effects of a project is evaluated and mitigation measures are identified. Forth Replacement The 3 tower cable stayed bridge to be provided as a Crossing replacement to the Forth Road Bridge for general traffic (with pedestrians, cyclists and public transport accommodated on the Forth Road Bridge). Forth Road Bridge The existing road bridge at Queensferry. Forth Bridge The existing rail bridge at Queensferry. Free flow A junction or connecting roads allowing traffic to move junction/connections unhindered between individual roads without formal traffic control (i.e. traffic signals, stop lines). Full Corridor Scheme The improvement considered over the full extent of North Corridor Option 1 and South Corridor Option 1 in the Stage 2 Corridor Report. i General traffic General modes of traffic including cars, private light goods vehicles, vans, lorries and buses. Grade Separated A junction arrangement that is separated by level from the Junction through carriageway Ground Investigation Exploratory investigation to determine the structure and characteristics of the ground influenced by a development. The collected information is used to establish or predict ground and groundwater behaviour during, and subsequent to, construction. Heavy Goods Vehicle Vehicle with 3 axles (articulated) or 4 or more axles (rigid (HGV) and articulated). Hard Shoulder Running The use of the emergency lane sited to the nearside of the trafficked carriageway for the running of vehicles. Intelligent Transport Technology systems or a collection of equipment that Systems (ITS) assists network operators in providing an efficient, reliable and safe transport network by providing a suite of tools to deploy temporary traffic control measures at a strategic or local level. Listed Building Building included on the list of buildings of special architectural or historic interest and afforded statutory protection under the ‘Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997’ and other planning legislation. Classified categories A – C(s). Local Road An A, B or C classified road (non Trunk Road) typically operated by a local authority or council. Net Present Value The total present value of a time series of cash flows. It is a standard method for using the time value of money to appraise long-term projects. Mainline The principal road being considered, namely the A90/M90 or the road proposed as its replacement. Managed Crossing The preferred scheme that combines: Scheme i. The Forth Road Bridge as a public transport corridor. ii. A narrower D2M replacement crossing for general traffic. iii. ITS from Halbeath on the M90 to junction 1a on the M9. iv. The optimised road and junction improvement within the preferred corridors. Net Present Value (NPV) The total present value of a time series cash flow. It is a standard method for using the time value of money to appraise long-term projects. ii Northern Route Corridor The route corridor options considered north of the Firth of Options Forth connecting the proposed replacement bridge to existing roads infrastructure. Northern Study Area The area to the north of the Firth of Forth in which preliminary investigations have been undertaken as part of the Forth Replacement Crossing Project. North Corridor Option 1 The preferred road improvement corridor in the Northern Study Area. Ramp metering A device, usually a basic traffic light together with a signal controller, which regulates the flow of traffic entering the Mainline according to current traffic conditions. SESTRANS The South-East Scotland Transport Partnership. South Corridor Option 1 The preferred road improvement corridor in the Southern Study Area. Southern Route Corridor The route corridors options considered south of the Firth of Options Forth connecting the proposed replacement bridge to existing roads infrastructure. Southern Study Area The area to the south of the Firth of Forth in which preliminary investigations have been undertaken as part of the Forth Replacement Crossing Project. Scottish Transport The document prepared by the Scottish Executive and Appraisal Guidance commended to Local Authorities and Consultants to (STAG) provide guidance on the appraisal of transport schemes in accordance with the Government’s principles of providing a sustainable integrated transport system in Scotland. Strategic Transport A two year review of the Scottish transport network being Project Review (STPR) undertaken by Transport Scotland in parallel with the Forth Replacement Crossing development work covered in this report. Its aim was to identify and prioritise the road, rail and other interventions of national significance, which will be taken forward to improve the network. The review was published on 10th December 2008. Transport User Benefit The purpose of TUBA is to carry out transport scheme Appraisal (TUBA) economic appraisal in accordance with the Department for Transport’s published guidance. Variable Speed Control Mandatory variable speed limits where the speed limit is varied according to traffic conditions to smooth traffic