6. The project had 5 main stages: -

• "Initialisation";
• "Information gathering";
• "Visioning and future scenarios";
• "Evaluation"; and
• "Deliverables and conclusions".

The stages are presented sequentially, but in practice there was continual iteration around the cycle of information gathering, visioning and evaluation, leading to further (new or refined) information requirements. This continued within the project lifecycle, until it was felt that there had been sufficient iteration to provide an adequate basis for the project deliverables.

7. The project was planned to a specified timescale, though it has been subject to organisational and political influences, both internally and with DTLR. As the project progressed the iterative process involved in qualitatively developing the visions was demanding. This is a fair reflection of the process of long term strategic planning.

Stage 1 Initialisation

8. A project team, comprising internal staff and external consultants, was appointed by Network Customer Services, now Network Strategy. An initial scoping exercise was undertaken by the team to discuss the philosophy of visioning and the processes, which could meet the project objectives. This resulted in the development of the 5-stage process outlined within this report.

9. To set the scene, a Groundwork Report was prepared to establish the current position of lifestyles and transport, trends and research in the following areas:

• Education
• Society / Community Living / Housing
• Demography
• Healthcare
• Economics, Politics and Industry
• Information, Communications and Media
• Built Environment and Transport
• Military and Defence
• Vehicle Technology and Design
• Environmental Issues / Energy
• Satellite Systems and Mapping
• Other Organisations

These research areas provided a framework for the gathering of information on transport related future trends and forecasts.