A Decade of Action in Transport : An Evaluation of World Bank Assistance to the Transport Sector, 1995–2005

Throughout the past decade transport projects have played a pivotal role in economic development and poverty alleviation. The World Bank's strategy has been well managed and effective, showing strong support for intercity highway construction and rehabilitation, an approach that contributed to private sector development, steadily improving project outcome ratings, and key elements of the strategy-sustainability, private sector involvement, and urban strategy- still relevant today.

However, transport strategies must now focus more attention on confronting cross-cutting issues such as traffic congestion, environmental damages, safety, efficiency, and affordability. This focus will necessitate more innovative, multisectoral approaches to resolve thesecomplex and urgent country and global concerns. The Bank may have to reconsider its priorities to fully address these challenging social, political, and environmental issues and shift resources to ensuring efficient multimodal transport, improved rural linkages, and better urban transport.

This evaluation was financially supported by Norad's Evaluation Department.