Target orientation for ecologically sound road management in Sweden

Target orientation in road management allows consideration of non-monetary landscape values that have been largely ignored due to lack of assessment tools and insufficient knowledge. We discuss shortcomings in traditional road planning and describe the new Swedish target-oriented approach to integrate natural and socio-cultural assets in road management. The approach is based on tangible environmental targets and criteria that can be enforced. We emphasize the advantages of the new approach and conclude that target orientation helps to integrate environmental impact assessment into the planning and performance control system. It enhances landscape-ecological concern among planners and strengthens the dialogue between engineers and environmentalists. Target orientation requires an elaborate monitoring system that has roots in a profound ecological understanding. in order to monitor performance and to validate measures mitigating negative effects of landscape fragmentation, further methodological development and applied ecological research are necessary.