Philip Bartlett
Department for Transport
Zone 3/04
Great Minster House
76 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DR
020 7 944 6177
9th June 2008
Our Reference: F0004189
Dear Dr Jon Beauchamp,
I refer to your request for information about how decisions are made on the quantity of resource to be allocated to attempt to save a life, i.e. the cost per life year gained value used. I am dealing with your request under the terms of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (‘the Act’).
I am writing to confirm that the Department has now completed its search for the information you requested on 15th May 2008. Information about the allocation of resources with regard to human safety is available on the Department’s website, http://www.dft.gov.uk.
Under section 21 of the Act, the Department is not required to provide information which is already reasonably accessible to you. However, a brief explanation of how resource allocation decisions are made by the Department is provided below, along with references to a number of published sources that address the subject of your query.
Almost all decisions relating to the allocation of resources across different transport interventions have some implications for human safety. Decisions to approve and/or fund particular policies and schemes are made in accordance with the published aims of the Department, one of which is to strengthen the safety and security of transport. Ministers make decisions on the basis of a series of considerations, including:
§ Value for money
§ Practicality / deliverability
§ Public acceptability
§ Distributional and equity impacts
§ Affordability and financial sustainability
§ Contribution to central government, local and regional objectives
§ The amelioration of identified problems
Decisions on specific proposals are informed by carrying out economic appraisals and impact assessments. These analyses provide detailed information which is used to refine proposed transport interventions and to assess value for money. More detailed information on the Department’s value for money process is available at: http://www.dft.gov.uk/about/howthedftworks/vfm/.
Estimating the impacts that proposals are likely to have on safety forms an important part of appraisals and impact assessments. Transport Analysis Guidance which sets out how accident impacts should be appraised can be accessed at: http://www.webtag.org.uk/webdocuments/3_Expert/4_Safety_Objective/3.4.1.htm.
Information about changes to accident rates and severities likely to result from proposals is typically expressed in both quantitative and monetary terms i.e. the number of lives expected to be saved over a defined period, and the present value of this benefit. The monetary value of safety impacts is calculated using Departmental estimates of the value of prevention of road accidents and casualties, which are derived according to the methodology described in Highways Economic Note No.1 (HEN 1). The latest published estimates of the values for prevention of road accidents and casualties can be found in the January 2007 edition of HEN 1: http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roadsafety/ea/pdfeconnote105.pdf.
If you are unhappy with the way the Department has handled your request or with the decisions made in relation to your request you may complain within two calendar months of the date of this letter by writing to me at the above address. Please see attached details of the Department for Transport’s complaints procedure and your right to complain to the Information Commissioner.
If you have any queries about this letter, please contact me. Please remember to quote the reference number above in any future communications.
Yours sincerely,
[by email]
Philip Bartlett