In Dutch society, where a lot of decisions are based on consensus between stakeholders, the LIBRA tool is designed to help manage such processes. Originally, LIBRA has been designed as a tool specifically for light rail projects. The reason for this is the lack of implementation of light rail projects in the Netherlands, although many initiatives have been proposed in the last fifteen years. Several studies point out that, in order to counter this lack of progress, improvements need to be made in the project approach. However, many light rail projects in other countries appear to be successful. In Karlsruhe, Saarbruecken, Strasbourg, Nantes and Orleans, light rail has been a strong catalyst for spatial and economic development. This suggests that light rail projects should be considered from a broader perspective giving an integral approach towards mobility, spatial development, socio-economic development and long-term strategic goals. Based on these considerations, the Dutch rail infrastructure manager ProRail commissioned a study to develop such an integral approach. The environment of a project is very complex with many stakeholders. So the project definition is the central part of LIBRA. Several times during the process there needs to be a check if the project definition matches the goals of the relevant stakeholders. So if the project is placed in a broader context, support will be generated. For each process step, a product has been defined. LIBRA offers tools for these products. These tools differ from simple checklists to complete manuals on appraisal techniques. The LIBRA process consists of different iterations. An overview of all socio-economic costs and benefits is made, followed by the allocation of costs and benefits to different actors in order to know which actors benefit and which actors do not benefit. This provides an indication of the support for different alternatives and also provides information on how to improve certain alternatives. The allocation of cost and benefits to actors also offers possibilities to consider public private partnerships (PPP). LIBRA is currently being applied successfully in several projects in the Netherlands: RegioRail KAN (the area of Arnhem-Nijmegen in the east), Agglolijn Twente (east of the country including the city of Enschede) and Rijn Gouwe line (the line between the cities of Gouda and Leiden in the west). For the Agglolijn Twente, LIBRA has already proved its benefits especially in structuring the process and an early recognition of the importance of spatial development. For the covering abstract see ITRD E126595.
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