Headline Indicators

The purpose of identifying the "headline" transport indicators is to ensure a balanced view at the national, regional and global levels of the critical role of transport services in reducing poverty, facilitating growth and contributing to achievement of key development targets. For example, the role of transport is effectively invisible in the Millennium Development Goals – even when these are considered at the second level of 47 Targets.

A few key indicators can capture the important contributions which transport makes to national and regional development. The Rural Access indicator has been developed to contribute to the Results Measurement System of the International Development Association (IDA). The IDA system involves measuring a small number of indicators which capture key aspects of the development of the countries which receive the concessional assistance.

Transport Headlines

Key Transport Sector headlines have been identified to be applied universally and updated regularly. Five indicators have been endorsed as initial headlines by the World Bank Transport Sector Board, in particular:

• Rural Access Index (RAI), a key transport headline indicator, has been established to focus on the critical role of access and mobility in the reduction of poverty in developing countries. The RAI estimates the proportion of the rural population who have adequate access to the transport system.
    
• Road Condition Index (PDF 28 KB) is based on the percentage of the classified road network which is in "fair" or "good" condition. Recent values are available for some countries.
    
• Logistics Performance Index (LPI), an interactive benchmarking tool created to help countries identify the challenges and opportunities they face in their performance on trade logistics and what they can do to improve their performance – the LPI allow for comparisons across 150 countries.
    
• Other "headlines" are at various stages of development, and detailed information on these will be available soon.