As a complement to Strategic Plans, IP focuses on “working closely with users”, consolidating a multi-criteria algorithm which allows selective investment: the “Proximity Plan”.

This plan sets out a series of projects to be implemented focusing mainly on the conservation of road and rail assets, consolidating the annual planning of construction work tenders on a medium-term basis, thus ensuring better management and predictability of investment.

It is based on a multi-criteria rationale which was developed internally and validated by national universities, providing us with a priority level for different investment projects, allowing them to be optimized throughout the lifetime of the infrastructure.

Large-scale investment in the road and rail networks has already been carried out and the Ferrovia 2020 Plan is fully underway. It is now vital to turn our attention to a challenge which is equally or even more important: the preservation of the network and the conclusion of a number of smaller connections which is still required.

IP is aware that it is necessary to guarantee the efficiency of the system we have implemented in the organization, on four different levels:

• Detection of needs based on thorough inspection systems;

• Identification and technical characterization of the measures required;

• Definition of selective investment priorities, based on multi-disciplinary criteria;

• Timely implementation of planned investment.

Work carried out by IP has thus moved from that of expanding the network to one of conservation of the network.

The Proximity Plan has formed a tactical portfolio of work to be started in a five-year period, where priorities are based on a multi-criteria algorithm which is unparalleled in Europe as it ensures the integrated management of the road and rail networks managed by IP. The designation “proximity” is an intuitive reference, noting that the medium-term plan (five years) defines work designed to overcome difficulties experienced by users.

It is therefore a vital tool in the planning cycle, providing gains in efficiency with regard to tactical planning, as a complement to the strategy set out in PETI 3+/Ferrovia 2020/PVAE, also serving as the basis for creating the Network Intervention Plan with regard to operations.