congestion & road safety christopher deakins team leader - network management &...

14.5.2009 European Conference on Mobility Management 2009

Congestion & Road Safety

Christopher DeakinsTeam Leader - Network Management & Administration

9 July 2008

Target Setting for New Development Travel Plans

Introduction and Context for the WSP Study into Setting Effective Travel Plan Targets

Mark Frost (LB Hounslow and WestTrans)

ECOMM 2009


The Problem

> As a result of successive government policies most new developments in London are now required to develop a travel plan encouraging sustainable transport to the site.

> However, for officers responsible for implementing this policy key questions remain:

1. What is an appropriate target for a travel plan for a new development?

2. What are the appropriate courses of action available to the authority in the event that the development does not achieve this target?


Recent Practice

> Up until recently most DC travel plans provided targets based around generic best practice documents (e.g. Making Smarter Choices Work, DfT, 2005) quoting approximate goals of such as ‘We will achieve a 10% reduction in car use over 5 years’.

> In most cases these targets were not generally tailored to relate to the specifics of the site or nature of operations.

> What they were actually measuring was also vague – 10% reduction in car use – total car movements onto and off of the site/day? staff commute trips/day? just single occupancy vehicles or all car trips? How would it be measured?

> Regardless, the way in which plans were secured meant that the targets were effectively unenforceable.


New Guidance

> TfL’s new Best Practice Guidance for Development Related Travel Plans (March 2008) recommends the use of various planning obligation mechanisms to ensure successful implementation of travel plans and the reaching of travel plan targets. These include:

1. Implementation of works expected to remedy the failure to achieve agreed outcomes

2. A specified change or series of changes to the way the site is used

3. Specified payments to the borough to meet the cost of undertaking action to achieve the agreed outcomes

4. Payments to the borough to implement certain measures that have been identified previously


Implementing this Guidance

> However, under planning law, it is essential to be able to prove that a development has not achieved a target before these can be enforced.

> In 2008 WestTrans & LB Hounslow therefore commissioned WSP to develop further guidance on how best to set targets and secure appropriate remedial measures in the event of travel plan failure.

> The focus was on providing a robust, concise and easy to use toolkit for authority transport planners in west London to assist in securing effective travel plans.

TRAVEL PLAN TARGET SETTING AND MONITORING: GETTING IT RIGHT!

David KnightSenior Technical Director


This presentation’s target elements…

Objectives, Targets and Indicators Case Studies

– Mode of School Travel Validation Project for Transport for London – Evaluation of the robustness of ‘hands up’ surveys. (Data from 50 schools in London);

– Development of a Target Setting Toolkit for WestTrans – How to set appropriate targets for development related workplace travel plans;

– Northstowe New Town Travel Planning Strategy – Area wide travel planning for a prototype eco-town with a population of 30,000 people.


The Development Related Travel Plan Process

Develop Travel Plan• Strategy• Content• Budget

Based on Figure 2.2 of TfL Guidance for Workplace Travel Planning for Development


Objectives, Targets and Indicators

Objectives– High level aims– Give direction– Provide focus

Targets– Measurable goals

Indicators– Elements you need to monitor

A core travel plan process

OBJECTIVES TARGETS INDICATORS

1. MONITOR CHANGE

2. UNDERSTAND LEVEL OF SUCCESS


Why set targets?

Targets drive improvement– Help to define an agreed direction– Focus attention and resources– Motivate the Travel Plan delivery team

Put local performance standards into a specific context

Help develop a culture of continuous improvement

Demonstrates to the public that the travel plan is important and there is a commitment to deliver

Blindly setting targets for every activity is unlikely to be productive

Need to be fair, legal, honest and ethical


About Targets

SMART– Specific – Measurable– Achievable– Realistic– Timebound

Relationship to Objectives and Indicators Imprecise target setting can lead to confusion and loss of

credibility in the travel plan ‘Desired’, ’promised’, ‘minimum’ or ‘aspirational’

‘Aim Type’

To reduce the proportion of single occupancy vehicle trips by 15% by 2011

To appoint a Travel Plan Coordinator by March 2010

‘Action Type’


Targets within the Travel Plan Document

Introduction Background Policy

Existing Conditions Site Assessment Baseline Travel

Conditions

Objectives and Targets

Strategy: Management Marketing

Package of Measures

Monitoring and Review

Action Plan

Setting Targets

Introduction Background Policy

Existing Conditions Site Assessment Baseline Travel

Conditions

Objectives and Targets

Strategy: Management Marketing

Package of Measures

Monitoring and Review

Action Plan

Setting Targets


West Trans Target Setting Toolkit


Setting Core Aim-Type TargetsSTEP 1

Establish Requirements for Targets (Scoping)

STEP 2Estimate Baseline without Travel Plan

STEP 3Develop targets with reference to influencing factors

(including proposed measures)

STEP 4Benchmark targets to ensure robustness

STEP 5Agree and secure targets as necessary

STEP 6Monitor, Evaluate and Review

• Summarise Development Proposals

• Travel Plan Requirement

• Travel Plan Type

• Identify User Groups

• Policy Requirements

• Provision of data in TP database

• Review Transport Assessment

• Identify Relevant Data Sources

• Record Predicted Behaviour

• Check Baseline Data

• Isochrone / Accessibility Plots

• Expected Mode Shift

• Draft Targets

• Check against iTRACE PTAL tool

• Check targets against car parking proposals

• Check mode shift assumptions against measures

• Check that targets are smart

• Submit draft Travel Plan and await feedback

• Record on iTRACE

• Convert to full targets after Year 1

• Are Targets Met?


Mode Shift Potential Tool

Scoring system for measures contained with a Travel Plan Based on 20 UK Case Studies Most effective measures are:

– Significant new or enhanced public transport

– Major restrictions on car parking

– Financial Incentives for using sustainable transport

Linear Regression of Modal Shift versus scores achieved strong correlation Tool indicates a band of values for which targets for car driver mode share should realistically fall within

50Maximum score

4Financial incentive/payout for using Sustainable

Transport (8%)

211

Car Sharing Scheme elements (8%)Guaranteed Ride HomeComputer based matching schemePriority Parking

11113

Marketing and consultation strategy (14%)Provision of maps/timetablesNewsletters/memos/e-mailsTravel websiteStakeholder engagement/eventsPersonal Travel Planning (PTP)

1Smarter working practices (2%)

3 (minor) 5 (major)

3

Car Parking Management (16%)Restrictions on effective car parking availabilityCar parking charges

1 (minor) or 2 (major)1111

Cycling and Walking (12%)New cycling/walking infrastructureCycle ParkingShower/Locking/Changing FacilitiesCycle DiscountsOther eg cycle repair, training

1 (minor) or 3 (major)2 (1-2) or 4 (2+)


Public Transport (22%)New infrastructure New or enhanced public transport servicesPublic Transport DiscountsInterest free PT season ticket loans

1 (PT) or 3 (FT)2

Management (10%)Travel Plan CoordinatorImplementation Strategy

0 (Low), 1 (med), 2 (high)0 (Low), 1 (med), 2 (high)

Site Details (8%)AccessibilityCongestion on traffic network

ScoreElement

50Maximum score

2 (minor) 4 (major)Financial incentive/payout for using Sustainable

Transport (8%)

211

Car Sharing Scheme elements (8%)Guaranteed Ride HomeComputer based matching schemePriority Parking

11113

Marketing and consultation strategy (14%)Provision of maps/timetablesNewsletters/memos/e-mailsTravel websiteStakeholder engagement/eventsPersonal Travel Planning (PTP)

1Smarter working practices (2%)

3 (minor) 5 (major)

3

Car Parking Management (16%)Restrictions on effective car parking availabilityCar parking charges


Cycling and Walking (12%)New cycling/walking infrastructureCycle ParkingShower/Locking/Changing FacilitiesCycle DiscountsOther eg cycle repair, training

1 (minor) or 3 (major)2 (1-2) or 4 (2+)


Public Transport (22%)New infrastructure New or enhanced public transport servicesPublic Transport DiscountsInterest free PT season ticket loans

1 (PT) or 3 (FT)2

Management (10%)Travel Plan CoordinatorImplementation Strategy

0 (Low), 1 (med), 2 (high)0 (Low), 1 (med), 2 (high)

Site Details (8%)AccessibilityCongestion on traffic network

ScoreElement


Mode Shift Potential Tool

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50

Travel Plan Measures Score

Ta

rge

t C

ar

Dri

ve

r M

od

al

Sp

lit

Re

du

cti

on

(%

Po

ints

)

Scores greater than 35 may achieve significantly greater modal shift

Zone of target modal split reduction

Average modal split reduction

Modal split reduction ± 2.5 % points


Target Setting Key Principles

A maximum of 6 to 10 targets is recommended for a single Travel Plan Co-ordinator

All standard travel plans need to have a target that is set to reduce single occupancy vehicle (SOV) across the site

Targets are best expressed in terms of maximum end levels of SOV or car driver arrivals

Where applicable the applicant should set separate SOV targets for each target group covered by the scope of the travel plan

Levels of parking proposed for the development should be consistent with the proposed targets

The target date for achieving targets should be clear and usually linked to a key milestone


Northstowe New Town Travel Planning Strategy


A major development 9,500 new homes 136,000 sqm B1

employment 49,500 sqm Retail

town centre 5,000 sqm Local

centre retail 22,800 sqm Leisure

(Fitness Centre, Hotel, Cinema)

11,000 sqm Community Facilities (Library, Civic Hub, Public Offices)

Education Facilities (6 primary schools, 1 Secondary School, 1 FE Campus)


Comprehensive Travel Planning

Northstowe Travel Planning Strategy

Overall responsibilities:

Residential

Travel Plan

Town Centre

Travel Plan

Construction

Travel Plan

(Separate)

Monitoring, Review and Evaluation

Workplace TP Strategy

Individual School Travel

Plans (STPs) for each

school

Individual Workplace

Travel Plans (WTPs) for

each organisation

School Travel

Plan Strategy

WTP STP WTP WTP STP STP

TPMO

Contractor

Individual Developers/ Occupiers


Monitoring and Evaluation for a whole town Issues

– Peak hour trips, weekday trips etc– Internal and External Trips– Through Trips– Measuring modal shares

Monitoring methods– Traffic counts– Travel surveys– Automatic Number Plate Recognition?– Radio Frequency Identification?– iTRACE

The way forward– A consistent evidence base– A cost effective solution– A national approach is needed


The Development Related Travel Plan Budget

Implementing the Travel Plan

Back-up or Default Measures

Monitoring and Evaluation

TRAVEL PLAN BUDGET £000s


Mode of School Travel Data Validation Project for Transport for London

WSP supported by Integrated Transport Planning Ltd and MVA Consultancy Ltd


Purpose and process

Understand how robust ‘hands up’ data is– Identify ways more accurate data could be collected– Provide all stakeholders with clear guidance– Ensure the evaluation of School Travel Plan measures is

accurate Our approach

– Recruitment of 51 schools with the help of School Transport Advisors

– Classroom surveys observed by surveyor– Classroom surveys completed by surveyor– Use of alternative methods– Interviews with sample of pupils– Travel diaries with a sample of pupils– TRAVL survey methodology


Insert survey methodology diagram


Survey Response

52

49

53

2

2

2

24

18

25

5

5

3

13

13

2

12

13

1

2

2

Overall Hands Up

Overall Travel Diary

Overall Interview

%

Walk Cycle Car/van Car share Bus Taxi Train Underground Other


Study Findings

Hands Up Survey is the best way and delivers a high degree of accuracy

Guidance written to reduce inaccuracies:– ‘Usual’ or ‘Today’– Multiple modes– Car share confusions– Multiple responses– Different modes on different days– Language– Mis-recording responses


Some conclusions

A robust Target Setting Toolkit now exists for development related travel plans with widespread application

We need a national and consistent standard for target setting and monitoring in new and existing communities

Hands Up Surveys provide a high degree of accuracy – Workplace Travel Plans should use high response snapshot surveys for monitoring modal shift


David KnightSenior Technical Director

WSP Development and Transportation

Bristol, UK

Tel: +44 117 930 3776

e-mail: [email protected]

WSP is winner of 2008 Sustainable Consultant of the Year Award

WSP is Number 1 Transport Consultancy 2009 (NCE Consultants File)

congestion & road safety christopher deakins team leader - network management &...

Documents

travel plan target setting

effective travel plans

mobility management

dc travel plans

event of travel plan

appropriate target

target setting toolkit

car use