We are experts in transport economics
Volterra understands the importance of considering the ways in which transport infrastructure and land availability can impact upon where and how much growth might occur. The company has pioneered new ways of considering the impacts of large scale transport investment on the economy.
Our work is based on a detailed understanding of appraisal guidance and transport modelling, but also a willingness to challenge the status quo and a constant search for better ways of doing things.
Responsive to New Ideas
Volterra has specific expertise in considering the benefits of transport investments where standard models do not give the full picture. With this in mind, Volterra has frequently developed new methods of assessment and analysis which allow policymakers or investors to understand the potential impacts of investing in transport infrastructure.
International Experience
Volterra has extensive international experience, particularly in Australia, New Zealand and Canada and across much of SE Asia. Most of that work has been on major rail links, and includes Value Capture strategies, airport access strategies, Wider Economic Benefits and socio-economic impacts.
Pioneers in Innovative Analytic Techniques
Volterra’s USP and brand identity is based around the fact that we develop innovative research techniques to resolve problems within economic appraisals.
We are capable of, and experienced in, applying the guidance, but our added value is that we have repeatedly been shown to demonstrate new ways of thinking about complex problems which ultimately result in ways to evolve appraisal guidance.
Examples include:
- the WEBs of transport investments which we developed for Crossrail (see case studies);
- Valuing public realm (research for Transport for London), which considered how much individuals are willing to pay to be in nicer places using stated preference research on valuing public realm.
Volterra has continued to challenge the applicability of existing guidance to the concept of high speed rail. Traditional methods typically apply well to shorter routes and journeys, where small tweaks to services can have big local effects. Volterra has been developing new approaches to understanding how larger transport investment, specifically those that link cities which are further apart than ‘commuter’ relationships, can have transformational, step change, impacts upon economic growth in cities.
Peter Clark, Lead Advisor, Light Rail, New Zealand Transport Agency
who we work with
some of our clients
