VDP Srl

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

As part of the Environmental Impact Study related to the Port Regulatory Plan for the port of Marina di Carrara, VDP developed a traffic study on the Port traffic stream and a cost-benefit analysis.
Considering the current supply and the proposal configuration, the primary objective of the study is to estimate the impact produced by the port infrastructure existence on urban traffic stream and highway access. The cost-benefit analysis aims to analyze and evaluate the effects on the community that can be monetized because of the project development.

PROJECT CHARACTERISTICS

Traffic field surveys have been conducted to define the current traffic status and to calibrate the study itself, concerning in particular:

• Daily basis peak hours traffic counts, average traffic for different types of vehicles (light, heavy, motorcycles, etc.) defining sections on the main traffic lines outside the port area;
• as in the previous point, defining also some traffic sections inside the port area and leaving the area itself;
• origin/destination interviews entering/leaving the port.

Regarding the cost-benefit analysis, the direct effects of the project were assessed and monetized, as well as indirect effects, such as the effects on urban and extra-urban mobility connected to the project activities (congestion, safety, atmospheric pollution, etc.).
Furthermore, the following elements were considered:

• the collateral benefits evaluation, such as beach nourishment and the effects on traffic mobility connected to the port operations (for example the new access road junction);
• investment costs and the periodic costs related to the realization of the project;
• valued costs and benefits on the useful life of the work and measure of the profitability indicators (IRR, NPV).