Environmental Impact of Road Transport - Road transport accounts for approximately 12% of global greenhouse gas emissions [1] - Globally, new road building projects are estimated to be worth $27 trillion [1] - Europe's highway length increased by 60% between 1995 and 2020, while railways shrank by 65% [3] Challenges and Alternatives - Many regions lack public transport infrastructure to replace private vehicles [2] - The transition to electric vehicles will reduce emissions, but projections indicate that half of cars sold globally will still be fossil fuel-powered by 2035 [2] - Highway expansion's emission reduction benefits are often temporary [3] Sustainable Approaches - Some governments are scrapping road construction programs for sustainability reasons [4] - Some transport departments are reallocating funds to eco-friendly transit projects like faster buses and better bike lanes [4] - Sustainable highway construction includes using recycled concrete and asphalt and employing less heavy machinery [5]

Core Viewpoint - The Road Manager Operations Capability Framework report outlines the necessary capabilities and skills for road managers to effectively respond to emerging transport trends, identifying four core capabilities and four operational capabilities essential for road management operations [4][6]. Group 1: Core Capabilities - The four core capabilities identified are Communication, Stakeholder Engagement, Leadership, and Change Management, which are essential for effective road management [4][20]. Group 2: Operational Capabilities - The operational capabilities include Network Management, Incident and Event Management, System Management, and Data and Insights, which support the core capabilities in practical applications [4][20]. Group 3: Key Themes in Transport Sector - The transport sector is experiencing significant changes characterized by five key themes: Network Safety, Technological Advancements, Environment and Sustainability, Network Demand Changes, and Customer Expectations and Stakeholder Engagement [5][14]. Group 4: Impact of Global Trends - The report examines how these global trends will influence the roles and responsibilities of road managers, emphasizing the need for adaptability in response to evolving operational environments [6][15]. Group 5: Framework Adaptability - The Capability Framework is designed to be flexible, allowing jurisdictions to adapt it according to their specific needs, maturity, and complexity of their road networks [23][27]. Group 6: Future Planning - The report aims to assist transport agencies in Australia and New Zealand in making informed business planning and investment decisions over the next 5 to 10 years, focusing on the evolving roles and responsibilities of road managers [33][34].