Major transport investments have the power to shift relative accessibility across a metropolis. These investments can influence where households and firms choose to locate, shaping the spatial structure of the city. They create new agglomeration economies, boost productivity and generate returns through an uplift in taxation revenue.

Nationally, there are significant transport infrastructure projects on the horizon. It is timely to understand how these investments can change housing and employment patterns for more sustainable cities.

Our Transport Impact Model forecasts land use impacts of major transport infrastructure investment. Spatially, it can demonstrate the link between accessibility, employment and housing demand.

With most major Australian cities expected to invest billions into transport projects, the model can also be applied to measuring the cumulative impacts of projects and sensitivity to timing.

The Transport Impact Model can be applied to:

• Assessing investment against a city-wide vision for a preferred urban structure
• Investment appraisal
• Informing project design and implementation
• Optimising city shaping power of transport by informing land use controls
• Informing the potential for land value capture
• Informing local economic development strategies to maximise the benefits from investment.