Evaluating Sustainable Transport
Measures in the North Fringe
A DfT case study
North Bristol SusCom meeting
19 September 2013
Kiron Chatterjee
kiron.chatterjee@uwe.ac.uk
Caroline Bartle
caroline.bartle@uwe.ac.uk
The Local Sustainable Transport Fund
• Primary Objectives
– Facilitate economic development
– Reduce carbon emissions
‘Stimulating Growth in Priority Areas’ is
main focus in West of England
Employer organisations play a vital role,
but how is the LSTF helping?
Lack of firm evidence!
2
DfT Case Studies
• In-depth evaluation in four thematic areas,
where evidence is weakest.
Strategic
Employment
Sites
Town
centres and
high streets
Carbon impacts
and congestion
relief
Rural
economy
and tourism
Case Studies
Extra funding
for detailed
evaluation.
(4 projects)
Large projects
(WEST project is one of 12)
Small projects (84 in total)
3/
Strategic employment sites
case study
Strategic Employment Sites
and Business Parks
West of England Councils
UWE
North Fringe
and Emersons
Green
Portside
Hertfordshire County Council
University of Hertfordshire
Slough Borough Council
Atkins
Maylands
Business Park
Hertfordshire
Slough
Why has the North Fringe been
selected?
• Mix of employers in sectors of strategic importance to
the regional and national economy.
• Existing collaboration on transport (SusCom) – example
of good practice.
• About 80,000 employees (and 30,000 students) – more
than other 3 case study areas combined.
5/
Purpose
• Assess the impact of LSTF and associated measures on
commuter travel behaviour and business performance in
the North Fringe, e.g.
- Land use/car-parking
-
Staff wellbeing, recruitment and retention
Business operations
Business growth decisions
• Understand the value of collaborative employer networks
• Produce findings which can inform planning and funding
decisions, regionally and nationally.
6/
Research overview sample
The North Fringe and Emersons Green
• 10 to 15 companies/organisations.
• Selected according to a number of criteria to obtain a
range of perspectives. Criteria include: size, industry
sector and engagement with LSTF
• UWE will work closely with SusCom and the LSTF South
Glos Business Engagement Officer.
7/
Research overview methods
Employer interviews and
survey
On-board bus passenger
survey
To be undertaken in 2013
and 2015 with a senior
representative of each
participating Employer.
Conducted soon after an LSTFsupported service is
introduced.
Employee travel survey
Baseline in 2013 and
follow up in 2015
Employee panel survey
A sub-group of respondents
will be asked to complete a
short survey every 3 months
until 2015, to track changes in
travel behaviour and attitudes
over time.
Employee focus groups
2 to be conducted in 2013/14
and 2 more in 2015.
Cordon count
Manual counts of car users,
bus users, cyclists, pedestrians,
motorcyclists/scooters at
employer sites on ‘neutral
days’ in 2013 and 2015.
Benefits for participants
• Better understanding of the impact of sustainable
transport measures on the performance of your
business.
• Publicising good practice to a national audience.
• Contributing to a national debate and ensuring that
employers’ voices are heard in future decision-making.
• Influencing future government spending decisions.
• Informing the transport agenda of the LEPs.
9/