Transport appraisal and strategic modelling (TASM) division

The transport appraisal and strategic modelling (TASM) division produces guidance for the Department for Transport (DfT) on:

  • project modelling and appraisal
  • value for money assessments
  • analytical assurance

It is also responsible for providing evidence on trends in, and drivers of, strategic transport outcomes, including multi-modal forecasting and simulation of policy impacts.

Our role

Transport appraisal guidance

TASM maintains and develops DfT’s guidance on modelling and appraisal for transport projects (TAG) and provides advice and assurance to internal and external stakeholders. The Appraisal and modelling strategy identifies priorities for the development of transport analysis guidance (TAG) for the next 5 years following the close of the public consultation in October 2018.

Value for money guidance

We develop and update value for money guidance and scrutinise value for money advice submitted to ministers and DfT’s investment boards.

Analytical assurance

We oversee DfT’s analytical assurance framework which provides internal guidance on how analysis should be specified and undertaken in DfT. We also scrutinise the quality of analysis included in submissions to ministers.

Road traffic forecasts

We maintain and develop the National Transport Model (NTM) to produce national road traffic forecasts and estimates of the impacts of national policies on levels of traffic, congestion and transport emissions. We undertake broader analysis of the underlying drivers of road travel and understand trends.

Strategic analysis

We provides analysis on strategic issues affecting business cases across the department.

Joint analysis development panel support

We provide secretariat support to the joint analysis development panel, which offers expert advice to DfT on its modelling and appraisal methods and strategies.

TASM resources

Documentation about our activities includes:

Joint analysis development panel

The joint analysis development panel (JADP) was established in 2015 to provide expert advice to DfT on its modelling and appraisal methods and strategies.

JADP terms of reference

Terms of reference for the Joint Analysis Development Panel (PDF, 138 KB, 4 pages)

JADP annual reports

Annual reports are:

JADP membership

JADP brings together academic and professional experts with senior departmental analysts. It is co-chaired by DfT’s Chief Analyst and Tom van Vuren, Strategic Consulting Partner, Amey and Visiting Professor, Institute for Transport Studies, University of Leeds.

Other members are:

  • Aruna Sivakumar Reader and Director of the Urban Systems Lab, Centre for Transport Engineering and Modelling, Imperial College London
  • Charlene Rohr, Technical Principal, Mott MacDonald
  • Dan Graham, Professor of Statistical Modelling, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Imperial College
  • Helen Bowkett, Senior Technical Director, Arcadis and Visiting Professor, University of the West of England
  • John Bates, Independent Consultant in Transport Economics
  • John Siraut, Senior Director of Economics, Jacobs
  • Luis Willumsen, Managing Partner, Nommon Solutions and Technologies
  • Phil Goodwin, Emeritus Professor of Transport Policy, University College London and University of the West of England
  • Richard Batley, Professor of Transport Demand and Valuation, Institute for Transport Studies (ITS), University of Leeds
  • Tim Leunig, Director of Economics, Public First Consulting, Chief Economist Onward think tank, Visiting Professor, London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) School of Public Policy
  • Tom Worsley, Visiting Fellow, ITS Leeds

The panel is supported by a broader network of subject matter experts who are invited to attend meetings on specific issues.

Shadow joint analysis development panel

The shadow joint analysis panel (SJADP) was established in 2024. SJADP fulfils the same criteria and role as JADP but it brings together more junior professionals who are earlier on in their careers, with the idea of injecting fresh innovative thinking from a diverse background.

It is co-chaired by the Deputy Director of TASM and Pedro Abrantes, Grant Thornton.

SJADP membership

  • Angela Lopez Garces, Associate Director, Transport Planning, Jacobs
  • Chiara Calastri, Lecturer in Rail Economics, ITS, University of Leeds
  • David Bowers, National Discipline Director – Transport Planning, Stantec
  • Ed Manley, Professor of Urban Analytics, University of Leeds
  • Emma Anforth, Senior Transport Strategy Officer, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM)
  • Pawel Kucharski, Senior Associate Director, Jacobs
  • Philippe Perret, Mobility Insights Technical Manager, BT Active Intelligence
  • Steven Bond-Smith, Assistant Professor, University of Hawai‘i Economic Research Organization (UHERO)
  • Tali Diamant, Technical Director, Economics and Business Case, AtkinsRéalis
  • Manuel Ojeda-Cabral, Associate Professor, ITS, University of Leeds
  • Claire Cheriyan, Strategic Analysis Manager, Transport for London
  • Dilum Dissanayake, Associate Professor in Human Geography and Transportation Planning, University of Birmingham

The panels are supported by a broader network of subject matter experts who are invited to attend meetings on specific issues.

Contact details

tasm@dft.gov.uk

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