Large transport infrastructure projects: Improving institutions and decision making

In recent years the subject of decision making on large transport infrastructure projects and related institutional issues have received much attention in the academic and professional literature, partly triggered by the book Megaprojects and Risk (Flyvbjerg et al., 2003). This book shows that for large infrastructure projects cost overruns and demand shortfalls are very common, and that institutional factors play an important role in this being the case. Recent academic contributions include special issues in Environment and Planning B (2007) and Transportation Planning and Technology (2007) and the book 'Decision-making on mega projects. Cost-benefit analysis, planning and innovation' (Priemus et al., 2008).