§ Mr. SheermanTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the average casualty reduction benefit for(a) highway construction schemes and (b) low-cost AIP schemes.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyAIP techniques are the most cost-effective proven way of saving casualties and are economically highly efficient. We estimate that if AIP schemes were implemented vigorously by all local authorities, 200–300 lives and about 15,000 injuries a year might be saved.
- (a) The proportion of scheme benefits accounted for by accident savings in the average highway scheme appraised by the Department's COBA method is 17 per cent.
- (b) Individual AIP schemes offer casualty savings of between 15 per cent. and 80 per cent. with an average of 33 per cent. Most schemes pay for themselves in less than two years. Many do so within 12 months, giving a rate of return of 200 per cent. or more.