Transport Policy That Works: How to Decide?

Abstract

The authors consider the policy making process in greater detail by examining several successful implementation processes' key driving forces during the last decade. These processes share a tailor-made management approach which combines a solid process approach with a thorough analysis to allow decisive policy changes. An objective and transparent instrument is provided through the thorough analysis to facilitate fact-based discussion. All stakeholders are involved in the process from its beginning in the process approach so that insight into differences in expectations and perspectives may be gained as well as to seek solutions to arguments that are sometimes subjective and to help build bridges. One of the approach's distinguishing features has turned out to be assisting all parties in addressing (sub)problems systematically after bringing all parties together organically, and this feature has laid the ground for many successfully introduced policy changes. Discussion can be quite considerably facilitated if all stakeholders understand how different perspectives may impact it, specifically. The article also discusses how European decision-making processes may benefit from the approach, although it is mainly discussed in regard to the Netherlands.