Abbreviations and terms used across this handbook.
On expansions
Where the source handbook gives an expansion, it is used. Where it uses an
abbreviation without expanding it, the expansion here is supplied for convenience and
marked with an asterisk.
Framework and organisations
Term
Meaning
DSP
Decision Support Process. The decision-making half of TPRAF, and the subject of this handbook. See Overview of the DSP
IMP
Integrated Modelling Platform. The analytical half of TPRAF. See the IMP handbook
TPRAF
Transport Performance and Risk Analysis Framework. The framework containing both the DSP and the IMP
DARe
National Hub for Decarbonised, Adaptable and Resilient Transport Infrastructures, the programme this framework was developed within
WP2
Work Package 2*, the DARe work package supplying travel-behaviour modelling. Referenced in Risk Assessment dependencies
Methods and analysis
Term
Meaning
AHP
Analytic Hierarchy Process. A structured method for deriving criteria weightings, named as an option in Detailed Option Assessment
CBA
Cost-Benefit Analysis. Used in Stage 2 appraisal, alongside rather than inside the MCA
LCA
Life Cycle Assessment. Governed by ISO 14040 and 14044
LCI
Life Cycle Inventory. The background data an LCA draws on
Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis. The term used for the same technique within the Risk Mitigation module
SWOT
Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats. One of the screening methods in Risk Reduction Analysis
Pareto frontier
The set of portfolios where no objective can be improved without worsening another. Used in Portfolio Optimisation
Makespan
The total time to complete a programme. One of the two objectives in the portfolio optimisation baseline model
Monte Carlo simulation
A method for testing how robust risk priorities are under uncertainty
Asset and performance
Term
Meaning
CS
Current condition score. A variable field in the Asset Registry
CP
Condition projections. Future projections of condition, held alongside the current score
KPI
Key Performance Indicator
LOS
Levels of Service. A performance management framework type
Residual risk
The risk remaining after an intervention. Always to be recorded rather than assumed away
Do-minimum
The baseline case that options are compared against
Carbon and sustainability
Term
Meaning
BECD
Built Environment Carbon Database. Pan-industry UK material, component and project carbon data
EPD
Environmental Product Declaration. Product-specific carbon factors obtained through procurement
ICE (database)
Inventory of Carbon and Energy. Generic embodied carbon factors
ICE (institution)
Institution of Civil Engineers*, whose guidance document accompanies PAS 2080:2023
SCORS
Structural Carbon Rating Scheme*, used for benchmarking in the IStructE method
WLCA
Whole Life Carbon Assessment, the RICS standard
Ecoinvent
A life-cycle inventory database providing background environmental data
ICE means two different things in this handbook
The Sustainability module uses ICE for
both the Institution of Civil Engineers, whose guidance accompanies PAS 2080, and
the Inventory of Carbon and Energy, an embodied carbon database.
They are unrelated. Context distinguishes them, but the collision is worth knowing
about.
Bodies and data sources
Term
Meaning
BCIS
Building Cost Information Service*. Capital, whole-life and marginal abatement cost data
BCSA
British Constructional Steelwork Association*. A source of UK sector average data
CIRIA
Construction Industry Research and Information Association*. Publisher of guide C677
DESNZ
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero*. Publisher of the UK greenhouse gas conversion factors
DfT
Department for Transport
HMEP
Highways Maintenance Efficiency Programme
IPCC
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change*. Source of the systemic resilience definition
IStructE
Institution of Structural Engineers*
NESO
National Energy System Operator*. Publisher of the Future Energy Scenarios
NZTA
New Zealand Transport Agency*. Source of the option filtering guidance
RICS
Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
RSSB
Rail Safety and Standards Board*. Publisher of the Rail Carbon Tool
Standards
Term
Meaning
ISO 55000:2014
Asset management principles. National Highways' stated ambition aligns with these
ISO 55001
Asset management certification requirements. Network Rail's approaches were confirmed conformant in 2022
PAS 55
The predecessor standard Network Rail was previously certified under
ISO 14040 / 14044
Life-cycle assessment principles and framework
PAS 2080:2023
Carbon management across the whole value chain
EN 17472:2022
Sustainability assessment of civil engineering works
BS EN 15978
The calculation framework for building-level assessment
BS EN 15804
Product-level environmental declarations
Green Book
HM Treasury guidance on appraisal and evaluation
TAG
Transport Analysis Guidance (DfT). Unit A3 covers environmental impacts and monetisation
Life-cycle stage codes
Used by the Sustainability module
to state where in an asset's life an impact falls.
Code
Covers
A1 to A5
Product and construction stages
B1 to B8
Use and maintenance stages
C1 to C4
End of life stages
Module D
Benefits and loads beyond the system boundary
Tools named in the handbook
Tool
Purpose
Rail Carbon Tool (RSSB)
GB rail project carbon assessment
National Highways carbon tool
Road scheme construction, maintenance and operation
Environment Agency carbon planning tool
Earthworks, flood and water assets
Structural Carbon Tool v3
Structural element screening and SCORS rating
SimaPro, OneClick, OpenLCA
LCA software drawing on background inventory data
StratforDarts
An in-house tailored economic appraisal tool
Miro, Microsoft Whiteboard
Brainstorming and systems mapping in MCA workshops
