The Sydney Light Rail Extension Program - Case Study Example

HEALTH IMPACT ASSESSMENT (The Sydney Light Rail Extension Program) By (Name) Code+ course name Professor’s name University name City, State Date Introduction The proposal sought to determine the positive impact of the Sydney light rail extension program to the public health in Sydney. In order to propagate a flexible and fluent movement of people in Sydney, the government proposed a light rail extension program in Inner West. This program upon its completion would mark improved services in terms of high frequency, efficiency of services, as well as offering reliable services to the surrounding institutions like Moore Park Sporting and entertaining precinct, Prince of Wales Hospital, and the University of NSW. Considering health inequalities in these areas due to impaired transport system, a light rail extension from Circular Quay to Kingston and Randwick, passing through the centre of the Sydney Central Business District (CBD) through the George Street would offer the necessary transport needed, more efficiently for the necessary services like health services. Health impact assessment plays a fundamental health forecast function due to clear projections of the public health programs based on the assessments. In the foregoing, health factors such as distribution and promotional factors such as efficient transport were the key concerns of the proposal. According to O'Mullane (2013), health inequality is one of the underlying determinants of health which have negatively impacted the health sectors and is therefore among the key factors in addressing the health impact assessment. Through improved transport services, health services are expected to be improved through this program and reduce the level of health inequalities that have always existed in Sydney. Previously, projects and programs used to be formulated and assessed based on technical, economical, and political patterns. The potential impacts of these projects on the environment, health, and social impacts were neglected save from the cost-benefits analysis which attached the monetary value on these variables. The rationale of the Health Impact Assessment (HIA) is therefore to determine the potential impacts of the projects, especially the transport projects, on health, environment, and social impacts (Bekker, 2007). This paper therefore sought to address some of the transport issues leading to health inequalities thus leading to light rail extension program therefore aiding in assessing health impact. Screening Report Screening involves determining whether or not the proposal (program) deserves a health impact assessment. In this case therefore, screening report entails the details of the program, the rationale of the program, descriptions of the program guideline, jurisdiction of the project, and the capacity of the program as discussed below. Details of the program being assessed Through the recommendations of the NSW transport system network, the councils, and with consultations with the local communities, the program proposed an improved light rail transport system which is very unique in its services due to the perceived transport efficiency. The sole aim of the program include transporting people of Sydney, and linking up with the existing light rail services that serves the central region to Lilyfield, in order to connect with the former Rozelle freight rail centre and through the Inner west to the Dulwich hill. The inner West Light rail extension has been one of the main plans to step up the government plans of extending the light rail programs in Sydney by 2014. With the direct services of the program, public health will be improved as well and the health impact assessment scheme will be alleviated substantially to greater levels. Rationale of the HIA proceeding Researches show that light rail transport system reduces the chances of the people contracting the dangerous diseases such as obesity, and air borne diseases. According to Corburn (2009), many people suffer obesity related diseases due to their time spent in cars and neglect to walking. Light rail transit increases physical activity of the body since it involves walking to rail station, from one station to another. In the same way, there are public health benefits that potentially are associated with the light rail transit thereby reducing public health costs. In addition, since light rail does not affect the air quality, since light rail transits system uses electricity, the level of carbon monoxide is reduced thereby improving the quality of public health. By considering the public health, health impact assessment in this case shapes the future transport policies, and ensures an economic as well as health considerations of the Sydney people (Dora, and Margaret, 2000). Relevant and necessary data concerning the public assess of the value services such as health facilities (infrastructural investment), measures, projections, and plans will be available through this program. This program therefore provide an independent evaluation of the health impact, strategies of the health impact assessments, and measures of the environmental impacts of the program at the neighborhood level. Capacity required conducting the HIA and the manual of the screening According to www.transdevsydney.com.au/hop-on-board/sydney-light-rail-extension, the light rail program will have a 5.6 kilometer extension from Lilyfield to Dulwich Hill with new light rail stops at Leichardt North, Hawthorne, Marion, Taverners Hill, Arlington, Dulwich Grove and Dulwich Hill. This would enable the transit system to be able to interchange the procurement of the new light rail vehicles. The program also extends to construction of three sub-stations to supply power to the light rail vehicles. Communication systems, safety, and signaling systems will be installed at strategic points. In addition, measures will be taken over the protection of the environment and wildlife habitat, as well as the native vegetation especially along the rail corridor. The following are the expected benefits: i. It will ensure improvement of the public transport, particularly the interconnection between where people live, work, visit, and hospitals. ii. The program will also provide efficient connection surrounding the shopping and the entertainment district. iii. Allow passengers to easily change between light rail, bus and bicycle, as well as trains at Lweisham and Dulwich Hill iv. Enhance local access and amenity along the disused freight rail corridor v. Encourage sustainable and healthy travel options. Political, decision-making, and policy jurisdiction of the program One of the highly prioritized problems facing Sydney is the healthy issues and diseases such as asthma, obesity, diabetes as well as injuries (Corburn, 2009). These problems are shaped based on where and how people live, work, and walk. The program draws its jurisdiction from the government, communities and the council in the process of stemming the rising cases of chronic diseases through creation of safe and accessible transport systems. More than that, the light rail transit system of Sydney takes into accounts the outside world from the hospital especially when making policies and decisions to shape these institutions. The study of health impact assessment provides clear means of the policy and decision making processes that are also within the political environment. Through Health Impact Assessment, the health impacts of policies and more particularly the decisions made in the non-health sectors like transport network are clearly addressed and identified. Moreover, it helps in strategizing on the health benefits of these programs and minimizing on their adverse effects through acknowledgement of the balance between the expected costs and the benefits. Scoping Report Scooping report shows the design and plans of the proposed program in terms of the Health Impact Assessment thereby describing the purpose and need for the light rail extension program, description of the area, as well as the description process (Bekker, 2007). The purpose of the scoping report is therefore to ensure that the Health Impact Assessment focuses on the issues that are likely to result as significant health impact of the proposed light rail extension program to the surrounding communities. Issues that are considered unlikely to result in significant health impact of the program are ‘scoped out’ and would not be taken further in the Health Impact Assessment (HIA). This scoping report would therefore comprehensively include the following: i. The approach to and methodologies for conducting the baseline studies ii. Proposed methodologies used for evaluating the significance and therefore the severity of the health effects iii. Mitigation measures likely to be taken iv. The stakeholders of the program and therefore the consultative measures to be adopted v. Justification for the level of HIA to be conducted vi. Preliminary plan for evaluation, monitoring, and follow up steps for the HIA vii. Preliminary plans for the decision-making and developing recommendations Just as indicated above, public health is among the key issues affecting Sydney and the associated problems are shaped based on where and how people live, work, and walk. In this case therefore, the Sydney light rail extension program is supposed to play an important part of the future transport in Sydney by building an effective option for the current transport network. The addition of more cars and buses have been proved to only increase congestions in the existing routes, particularly in the Central Business District during peak moments. Therefore, the Sydney’s light rail extension program will try solving some of these problems. Stakeholders to be involved in the HIA, how they will be involved and why The program was initiated by the NSW government upon the scheme to decongest the Sydney roads, in close consultation with councils, business and local communities. These were the major stakeholders in addition to the business communities, and other institutions like health and educational institutions. The purpose for the inclusion of these concerned parties was to ensure construction of an integrated light rail route that would transform the city by introducing a high frequency, reliable services, and driving economic development. Moreover, this integration would recue congestion thereby delivering an efficient, modern and reliable light rail solution. A comprehensive summary of the stakeholders involved in this project include the following: Infrastructure of NSW, NSW treasury, Transport for NSW, Property Council, NSW Department of Planning and Infrastructure, Sydney Business Chamber, Northern Hospital Network of the South East Sydney Local Health District (Prince of Wales Hospital, Royal Hospital of Women, Sydney Children’s Hospital), University of NSW, University of Sydney, and many other local institutions. The government would provide the necessary funding for the project, approximately $1.6 million from the transport budget and a PPP arrangement which test the business case and extract the value for money. The local communities will provide the necessary labor whereas the council will document and authorize the major policies, decision making and political jurisdictions. A project plan for the HIA The growing awareness and recognition of the health impact of various programs in the community design, land use, transportation systems, environmental and other social factors on the health prompted this program and became the foundation of its plan. By combining experience and the health issues discussed above, the Sydney light rail extension program team was trained and used the procedural tools and policies to effectively execute the program. Basically, the management team of the program used the Health Impact Assessment (HIA) as a systematic approach that identifies the differential health impacts of the proposed transit system in Sydney as well as the policies implemented in the provision of equitable, ethical, and sustainable transit and health program. The program is proposed to extend the Sydney light rail, an underway project on the 5.6 kilometer Inner West light rail extension from Lilyfield to Dulwich Hill. The project is proposed to be completed in 2015 upon which the percentage of people using light rail is expected to increase by over 44%. Through better connection between where people live, work, and visit, this system will provide sustained and healthy travel options thereby encouraging an HIA practices. Based on the project plan, which focuses on urban renewal, global competitiveness, and integration of buses with light rail transit system, the government of NSW intends to have a comprehensive and efficient transport system in the city, a system which will collectively have huge positive impacts on social, political, economic, environment, and health aspects of the region (Bekker, 2007). In accordance with the mater plan of the program, with the allocated time period of two years, the management team intends to execute the following: i. Construct nine new light rail stops at Leichhardt North, Hawthorne, Marion, Taverners Hill, Lweisham West, Waratah Mills, Arlington, Dulwich grove, and Dulwich Hill interchange. ii. Have enough new light rail vehicles by 2015 iii. Install power, safety, communication, and signaling systems iv. Construct at least two new sub-stations to supply power to the light rail vehicles at the respective intervals v. Be able to provide real-time passenger information at the new and the already existing stops. vi. Provide and construct new access paths and facilities for better switching between the different transport modes vii. Provide a comprehensive measure of protection of the wildlife habitat and other vegetation viii. Extension of the existing light rail stabling facilities, especially at Prymont The construction of the project will take place in complete stages thereby making some section of the city to be closed for specific durations. This would be necessary to reduce disruptions to residents, businesses and commuters. In this case, the City of Sydney, Sydney Business chamber, NSW Property Council, and other stakeholders will be consulted in the process of ensuring their support for businesses during the construction process. Preliminary plan for the methods and procedures to be followed The Health Impact Assessment will be carried out in accordance with the legal requirement of the council and they provide the standards of the project scopes and methodologies to be used. The scoping exercise was also based on the experiences of the Health Impact Assessment from similar projects. Accordingly and in order to observe the formal requirements of the HIA directives, extensive formal guidance that will shed light to the assessment include the following: a. Proper conformity to the health and environmental impacts of light rail transit system, therefore following the guide and procedural acts of 2001 of the Health Impact Assessment b. Health Impact Assessment (HIA): A guide to good practice and procedures (A consultation paper of2008) c. Amended circular on the Health Impact Assessment (HIA): a consultation paper d. Planning policy guidance notes and planning policy statements (PPS) e. Guidelines for Health Impact Assessment (HMA, 2008) Method The assessment of the likely effects will be based on the following: i. A thorough and complete understanding of the health changes in consistent with the transit changes that take place over the period starting from the onset of the project. ii. A complete understanding of the specific and special historical significance of the existing transport system iii. The health impact that any change on the transit system from the onset of the proposed extension of the light rail system would have considering the current public health information available iv. The potentially achievable impacts both positive and negative, that would arise from the extension program of the Sydney light rail transit v. Collect information and the relevant literature, tools, and processes that are currently used in the health sector, government departments, and agencies in the process of defining the project problems vi. Develop a clear and effective framework of identifying possible health impacts and their possible policy implications, like the relationship of the relevant variables, costs and benefits, methodology, and the existing data sources vii. Elaborate the key analytical approaches and scenarios, as well as identifying alternative policies that may help minimize the negative health impacts, maximize the positive health impacts, and reduce the possible health inequalities of the project viii. Develop a reined and efficient policy tools that supplement the framework, including decision trees, inventories, templates, indicators, and other measures that strengthens the program and knowledge of the stakeholders and the community Preliminary plan for the evaluation, monitoring and follow-up step of the HIA Upon the acceptance of the health Impact Assessment, the management of the project plans have been stamped and agreed. By this period, the implementation of the plan will have started and therefore providing opportunity to evaluate the processes involved as per the plan. This is done to improve the effectiveness of the Health Impact Assessment considering the provided opportunity by the evaluations processes of the project. Notably, the process evaluation will be used to provide more light on the appropriateness and timings of the contents of the assessment. This will also give the community a chance to give their testimonials whether they are actively involved in the processes or not, whether participation levels expected are attained or not and therefore appropriate actions taken. Based on the recommendations, the impacts evaluation team will monitor the acceptances and implementation of the plan. In the same way, they will ensure that the outcome evaluation monitors indicators and the relevant health outcomes after the proposal are implemented. With time, the accuracy of the identified health impacts will be revealed. Since naturally the future remains uncertain with complete surety, monitoring of the health indicators will provide an opportunity to adjust the proposal as the future gets nearer and nearer. Plans and policies normally are predetermined viewpoints and therefore, a successful project requires an extensive monitoring and evolutional standards as drafted in the project management and plan. Reflective Report According to the screening report and the scoping report above, it is conclusively clear about the Sydney light rail extension project management plans and the necessary procedural stands for the Health Impact Assessment (O'Mullane, 2013). As a reflector, the purpose of the reflective report is to discuss in broader contexts of the Health Impact Assessment and also within the contexts of the screening and scoping steps of the Health Impact Assessment. According to Bekker (2007), the rationale of the Health Impact Assessment to determine the potential impacts of the projects, especially the transport projects, on health, environment, and social issues. Living up to the task, the NSW government through the ministry of transport and other stakeholders will reap great deal of positive impacts from the light rail extension program. More importantly, through the positivity of the Health Impact Assessment, future transport policies and decision making will be placed in order, and thereby ensuring effective and efficient economic development and health management of the people of Sydney. Benefits of the Health Impact Assessment The Health Impact Assessment enables the stakeholders to identify the likely significant health effects of a project, like light rail extension project in this case, and avoided, controlled, and minimized at early stages of the project. In this way, HIA acts as a measure and marking gauge of a project which fundamentally playing an important role in the health sector, and therefore the community. On the other hand, with the concern of the stakeholders, the general public and other concerned parties of the project, the possibility of the unknown and therefore the unforeseen health effects of a particular project and development in the city, for instance the Sydney light rail extension program remains very crucial to growth. Health Impact Assessment enables project developers and planners to avail the possible projections and realities for these parties. Through Health Impact Assessment, the plans, through the project management will ensure a clear representation of the likely health effects of the project before making major decisions of the program (Xu, et .al, 2013). In this way, putting the representations about the likely health effects into consideration and available, the Health Impact Assessment help in taking away any fears that comes with lack of information. The indicators of health as stated during the Health Impact Assessment process touch on the key health issues that affect the community (Bekker, 2007) and therefore offering the necessary health precaution during the Sydney light rail extension program. Screening and scoping are one of the first steps of the Health Impact Assessment. As such they are heavily influenced by the limitations of the project. Based on the project expectations, the local communication and the scientific body may have particular interest on the project and their deliberate issues must be considered. This may render the project very limited within its scopes and affecting the scooping and screening processes. More than that, screening and scoping processes are also affected by the improper communication and cooperation among the parties involved. The significant health effects of the project are highly expected and positively mentioned by the stakeholders. Anything that may come insignificantly may affect the screening and the scoping processes. The screening and the scoping process was very easy when the point of establishing the relevant methodologies, decision making, and policy procedures of the project. However, linking up these factors to the likeliness of the significant effects on health that requires Health Impact Assessment was very difficult. An individual seeking to pursue screening and scoping process of any other particular project should have the necessary procedural requirement and theories that help in connecting the main objectives and benefits of the project with the Health Impact Assessment criteria. In conclusion the understanding of the Health Impact Assessment pacts and through the processes labeled under the screening and scoping processes has made the process of health education a very interesting field of study. This assignment has widened my scope and changed my perception of the assessment of the health impact of a region based on the ongoing programs or project on such areas. Reference List Bekker, M. 2007. The politics of healthy policies: redesigning health impact assessment to integrate health in public policy. Delft, Eburon. Corburn, J. 2009. Toward the healthy city: people, places, and the politics of urban planning. Cambridge, Mass, MIT Press. Dora, C. and Margaret, P. 2000. Transport, Environment and Health. Copenhagen: WHO, Regional Office for Europe. http://www.transdevsydney.com.au/hop-on-board/sydney-light-rail-extension/ http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/lightrail Kawachi, I. and Sarah P. W. 2007. Globalization and Health. New York: Oxford University Press, Internet resource. O'Mullane, M. 2013. Integrating Health Impact Assessment with the Policy Process: Lessons and Experiences from Around the World. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Pedestrian Safety, Urban Space and Health. S.l.: s.n., 2012. Internet resource Schoon, J. G. 2006. Transportation Systems and Service Policy: A Project-Based Introduction. New York: Chapman & Hall. Turrell G, S.L, et al. 2006. Health inequalities in Australia: morbidity, health behaviors, risk factors and health service use. Cat. no. PHE 72. Canberra: AIHW. Xu,H., Wen,L.M, and Rissel,C. 2013. “The relationships between active transport to work or school and cardiovascular health or body weight: a systematic review,” The Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health, vol. 25, no. 4, pp. 298–315. Read More