Sustainable Travel Action Plan2017/18 Version 

CONTENTS

Executive Summary ......................................................................................... 3

Introduction and content .................................................................................. 4

Progress to date ............................................................................................... 5

Public Transport ......................................................................................... 5

Cycling ....................................................................................................... 5

Car Users ................................................................................................... 5

Existing Infrastructure ...................................................................................... 6

Cycle and Motorbike Parking ........................................................................ 6

Car Parking .................................................................................................. 6

Accessibility .................................................................................................. 7

Birmingham Connect (Travel Plan) .............................................................. 7

Trends in Travel PatTerns ............................................................................... 8

Staff Analysis ................................................................................................ 8

Key findings of car drivers: ........................................................................... 8

Student Analysis ........................................................................................... 9

Key findings of car drivers: ........................................................................... 9

Comments on improving sustainable transport at Aston University ............... 11

Car parking review ......................................................................................... 12

Car space reduction and possible initiatives .............................................. 13

Birmingham Clean Air ................................................................................ 13

Action and Targets ......................................................................................... 15

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Aston University conducted a travel survey in autumn 2017. This was to identify the primary travel methods of staff and students when travelling to campus, as well as incentives that would be most effective in encouraging sustainable travel methods such as cycling, walking and public transport.

Reducing Scope 3 CO2 emissions comes under wider University sustainability targets; staff and student commuting is included in this category. ‘To raise sustainability awareness and promote sound environmentally and ethically responsible behaviour throughout the Aston community’. Promoting sustainable travel methods, in particular cycling, is also in line with Birmingham City Council’s travel targets: for 10% of all journeys in the city to be taken by bike by 2033. A particular focus is to encourage alternative travel methods other than car use, particularly for journeys under five miles. Encouraging active travel (walking and cycling) also encourages student and staff wellbeing; active travel can improve both physical and mental health. This travel plan also goes towards the University supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals in particular Goals 3 (Good Health and Well-being), 9 (Industry, innovation and infrastructure) and 11 (Sustainable cities and communities).

The University is committed to review and update this travel plan every two years.

INTRODUCTION AND CONTENT

The Aston University campus is located on a green 60 acre, self-contained site in the centre of Birmingham, within 5-10 minutes’ walk of the main shopping, business and entertainment areas of the city.

Birmingham’s 100-mile canal system is also the largest cycle path network in any British city. It is also green, quiet, traffic-free and surrounds Aston University. Although the city’s roads have never been renowned for their bike-friendliness, the picture is improving. The city council have already started work on a new 2.5 mile of cycle lane along the A38. An online map of the UK’s cycle network can be found here: https://www.sustrans.org.uk/ncn/map

Birmingham New Street Station is the nearest main-line station to Aston University, a short, flat 10-15 minutes’ walk away through the main shopping areas of the city along Corporation Street. The station has direct lines to most parts of the UK and many local services. Some regional and national services arrive at Birmingham Snow Hill and Moor Street stations, which are a short ten minute walk from campus.

There are a number of bus stops off campus as well as three main train stations in the city center. Further details of this alternative transport options can be found here: https://www.networkwestmidlands.com/ways-to-travel/ .

Like many large organisations, Aston University faces the challenge of balancing the travel requirements of our staff, students and visitors with managing demands for car parking, minimizing our environmental impact and fulfilling our role within the local community and wider Birmingham area.

We understand that there are some journeys and some individuals for which car travel offers the only realistic option. The strategy is, therefore, not intended to penalize those that need to travel by car, but rather to promote choice and raise awareness of the journey options currently available, with a view to encourage behavioral change, where appropriate. This document also highlights future changes to legislation and campus development, which indicates that single occupancy car journeys will need to be significantly reduced.

Whilst this is a stand-alone document, it has clear links to both the Carbon Management Plan, Sustainability Strategy and the wider University Strategy.

For map and directions to Aston University please visit http://www.aston.ac.uk/about/directions/

PROGRESS TO DATE

In the last five years the University has made considerable efforts in terms of providing for and encouraging walking, cycling, public transport and sustainable car use. Key initiatives are detailed below.

PUBLICTRANSPORT

Developing and enhancing the staff salary sacrifice travel card scheme, which lets staff save money on buying an annual ticket, which is then purchased over 12 months through one’s salary.

Working with Transport for West Midlands to increase public transport awareness

CYCLING

Ongoing delivery of the Cycle to Work scheme providing staff with the opportunity to purchase bikes and equipment through salary sacrifice.

Having a Brompton bike hire locker on campus that has discounted membership for all Aston staff and students.

Expanding secure bicycle parking facilities throughout campus Expanding the Bicycle User Group AstBUG Providing a cyclist changing and shower facility to all AstBUG users Offering discounted D-Locks through security Giving abandoned bicycles on campus to local bike repair charities Delivering regular bicycle promotions, including second hand bicycle sales

and Dr. Bike sessions. Installing a bicycle pump near the Main Building.

CARUSERS

Ongoing promotion of the University car share scheme FAXI. Providing an electric pool car for staff to use on short to medium length

journeys. Providing a number of electric car charging points for users to charge their

cars for free

EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE 

CYCLE  AND MOTORBIKE PARKING 

The following a list of where our cycle and motorbike parking facilities are on campus and if gated. Further details including images can be found on our main webpage http://www.aston.ac.uk/environment/

CAR PARKING 

There are 10 car parks in total, with 679 car parking spaces, spread across the campus from North to South. The majority of the car parks are for use by members of the staff car parking scheme. 200 car parking spaces are available for public use within Car Park 5. A breakdown of spaces are shown in the below table:

*Members of the public can park in evenings and weekends only.

More details of campus car parking can be found here here.

Location Gated Bicycle Capacity Motorbike CapacityCar Park 2 - 3Car Park 3 - 5Bridge between SU and Main Building Yes 10 -Student Union No 10 -ABS No 10 -SW Potter Street 1 Yes 24 10SW Potter Street 2 No 10 -Library 1 Yes 20 -Library 2 Yes 10 -ABC Yes 10 5EBRI Yes 16Woodcock No 8Totals 128 20

Location Public allowed Normal spaces Blue badge VIP Electric charge Third Party TotalCar Park 1 No 15 4 2 2 0 23Car Park 2 No 16 0 0 0 0 16Car Park 3 No 56 2 0 2 0 60ABS No 22 2 0 0 0 24Car Park 5 Yes 200 0 0 0 0 200Car Park 6* Yes 188 0 0 0 21 188Optegra No 9 3 0 0 0 12Car Park 12* Yes 118 0 0 4 52 122near Lakeside No 0 4 0 0 0 4Student Union No 16 1 0 0 0 17EBRI No 0 1 0 1 0 2LIS/VS No 10 1 0 0 0 11TOTAL 650 18 2 9 73 679

ACCESSIBILITY 

The University has a Campus Accessibility Guide online that can be found here.

Any staff, students or visitors who need specific route-planning and /or advice should contact The Disability Team for more information:

The Disability Team, Main Building G18

Tel: +44 (0) 121 204 5015 Email: disabilityteam@aston.ac.uk

www.aston.ac.uk/current-students/hub/thedisabilityteam

BIRMINGHAM CONNECT (TRAVEL PLAN) 

Birmingham City Council have produced a Birmingham Connect White Paper regarding sustainable travel and can be found here.

TRENDSINTRAVELPATTERNS

STAFFANALYSIS

The University has undertaken a travel survey on five occasions over the last 13 years, with surveys occurring every two years in the autumn. In the latest survey in autumn 2017, 21% of FTE staff members complete. Of those 57% were female and 43% were male.

Table 1: Staff Commuting Modal Share 2017/18

NB: For both students and staff there was an opportunity to write an answer if the respondent ticked other. These were then assessed to see how many included a portion or total sustainable option

KEY FINDINGS OF CAR DRIVERS: 

The majority of surveyed staff (47%) only had one car; 16% of staff didn’t own any cars; Of the car drivers 20% only live 1-5 miles away and 41% live 6-10

miles away; 61% of car drivers were female; 79% of car drivers are ‘somewhat accessible’ or ‘very accessible’ to

public transport alternatives; and 43.5% of car drivers use their bicycle, but do not cycle to work.

The following are the top three ways of encouragement for staff to travel to work by bicycle (or improvements needed in general):

1. Safer cycle routes/footpaths (36.9%) 2. More showers/ changing facilities (16.7%) 3. Improvement cycle parking/ cycle storage (10.6%)

Travel Mode 2005/6 2008/9  2013/14 2015/16 2017/18Car 54% 34% 32% 26% 21%

Car Share - Passenger 3% 3% 2% 3% 2%

Car Share - Driver n/a n/a n/a 4% 4%

Train 21% 31% 31% 28% 18%

Public Bus 16% 20% 18% 19% 21%

Bicycle 3% 4% 4% 6% 14%

Walk 2% 4% 9% 7% 8%

Metro 1% 1% 1% 1% 1%

Park and Ride n/a n/a n/a 4% 6%

Cycle to Train/ BusStation

n/a n/a n/a 1% 1%

Taxi 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%

Other 2% 3% 5% 1% 6%

If other what percentagegave sustainable options

100%

The following would encourage more people to use public transport (or improvements needed in general):

1. Discounts on public transport tickets/passes (29.3%) 2. Increase frequency of bus or rail services (19.9%) 3. Flexible working hours/home working (14.5%)

The following would encourage car drivers to car share either as a passenger or driver:

1. Discounts on annual car passes (20.2%) 2. Aston only car share contact portal (11%) 3. Reimbursed taxi costs if driver unavailable (6.7%)

STUDENTANALYSIS

517 completed the student survey or around 5% of FTE student numbers. Of those 72% were female, 27% were male and 0.6% preferred not to say.

Table 1: Student Commuting Modal Share

NB: For both students and staff there was an opportunity to write an answer if the respondent ticked other. These were then assessed to see how many included a portion or total sustainable option.

KEY FINDINGS OF CAR DRIVERS: 

Of the car drivers 37% only live 1-5 miles away and 40% live 6-10 miles away;

59.3% of car drivers were female; 87.5% of car drivers are ‘somewhat accessible’ or ‘very accessible’ to

public transport alternatives; and Only 6.3% of car drivers use their bicycle, but do not cycle to the

university.

Mode 2005/6 2008/9 2013/14 2015/16 2017/18Car Driver 19% 10% 7% 5% 7%

Car Share - Drive n/a n/a n/a 1% 1%

Car Share - Passenger 1% 2% 1% 2% 3%

Train 15% 14% 18% 20% 17%

Public Bus 38% 33% 20% 27% 22%

Bicycle 3% 4% 2% 3% 4%

Walk 21% 35% 49% 41% 41%

Metro 2% 2% 2% 1% 1%

Park and Ride n/a n/a n/a n/a 3%

Taxi 0% 1% 0% 0% 0%

Other 0% 1% 0% 0% 2%

If other what percentagegave sustaimable options 100%

The following are the top three ways of encouragement for students to travel to the university by bicycle (or improvements needed in general):

1. Safer cycle routes/footpaths (26%)

2. Improvement cycle parking/ cycle storage (16.5%)

3. Assistance with purchase of a bike (14%)

The following would encourage more people to use public transport (or improvements needed in general):

1. Discounts on public transport tickets/passes (31%)

2. Increase frequency of bus or rail services (17.7%)

3. Safer public transport (11.8%)

COMMENTSONIMPROVINGSUSTAINABLETRANSPORTATASTONUNIVERSITY

The following are some of the comments provided by staff and students that are not picked up in the above main survey analysis:

Some train stations charge people to park at the stations, which increase the cost of public transport

Senior/ executive staff should lead by example and use public transport to commute and for business travel more

Free/ discounted parking for car sharers Car share only allocated parking bays - no single occupancy car

drivers aloud to park Canal routes in winter are too dark and wet - unsafe Train company’s should provide better service Mini bus service from Birmingham train stations to Aston University More bicycle maintenance and locker facilities on campus Financial support for low income students not living on campus James Watt Queensway is dangerous to cross Students provided with free bus pass More pool bicycles Increase car parking charges to discourage car users Car parking permits should be based on car emissions and pay grade

CARPARKINGREVIEW

The University has 679 car parking spaces available including visitor and conference spaces. At the time of this survey there were 498 staff car parking permits allocated with a growing waiting list. Aston University’s permit is a ‘license to hunt’ and a parking space is not guaranteed.

The University has 1748 staff members (excluding casual workers). Based on the percentage of single drivers, car share (drivers) and a portion of staff who indicated ‘Other’ on mode of transport (and then went on to explain they drive on some occasions); the survey shows 468 staff would require a parking permit. This shows the survey accuracy is off by 6.2%.

The following table compares Aston University to other University’s that are also deemed city center/ urban campuses looking at car parking spaces to staff numbers (FTE). This shows that Aston University has 0.46 car parking spaces to each staff member, which is a high ratio compared to the other Universities.

However, the University only has 14% cycle parking spaces per car park space with the average for most HE’s in England being 102% cycle parking spaces per car parking space.

Finally, Aston University has 8.5% cycle parking spaces per staff (FTE), where the average for most HE’s in England 41.5% cycle parking spaces per staff (FTE).

HE provider

Total number 

of car parking 

spaces for staff Total staff FTE Car spaces to staff

Leeds Beckett University 1,212 2,400 0.51

Coventry University 1,603 3,350 0.48

Aston University 679 1,470 0.46

De Montfort University 960 2,140 0.45

The Manchester Metropolitan University 1,316 3,755 0.35

The University of Manchester 3,496 10,370 0.34

Liverpool John Moores University 742 2,315 0.32

The University of Liverpool 1,645 5,215 0.32

The University of Sheffield 1,650 6,620 0.25

The University of Leeds 1,615 6,880 0.23

University of Plymouth 604 2,640 0.23

The University of Bristol 1,302 5,705 0.23

York St John University 129 765 0.17

Sheffield Hallam University 392 3,570 0.11

Newcastle University 282 6,150 0.05

CARSPACEREDUCTIONANDPOSSIBLEINITIATIVES

Estates and Capital Development are in the process of reviewing its campus development through a new estates strategy. There is a possibility that over the next few years the University could significantly reduce the number of car parking spaces that it owns.

Such a reduction would mean there was a significant shortage in staff being able to park, and therefore some initiatives would need to be put into place to drop staff parking numbers. The following are initiatives that other HE organisations have implemented successfully:

Alternative parking permits include: o Irregular permits for infrequent or hourly paid staff (e.g.

University of Northampton, University of Manchester, University of Bradford, University of Bath);

o Emission based and salary charging (e.g. University of Birmingham, University of Nottingham, University of Exeter, University of Leicester, University of Leeds, and University of Manchester - who have a cost reduction for low emission vehicles.)

No staff parking within a radius (e.g. Solent University - within river boundary; University of Sheffield - 1 mile; Edge Hill University - 5km; University of Leeds and University of Bristol - 2 mile radius.)

Dedicated car share spaces - two permit holders able to priority park between 7.30-9.30 am (e.g. University of Warwick; University of Exeter, Edge Hill University, University of Bath, University of Leicester, Keele University

BIRMINGHAMCLEANAIR

At the time of writing this action plan, Birmingham City Council have put forward clans to make the city a Clean Air Zone before Cabinet. If passed the city could start to charge private cars a daily fee on entering the city from January 2020. The zone would be around the city’s ring road, in which Aston University is positioned within. Therefore, this would mainly affect all staff, visitors and regular contractors who drive to the campus.

ASTONOUTDOORRECREATIONCENTRE

The Recreation Centre is a 48 acres site in Great Barr, Birmingham that includes a number of sports playing fields and pitches, a pavilion that included changing rooms and function space. There is a main entrance to the site for visitors, as well as access to the lower end of the site for grounds vehicles only.

EXISTINGINFASTRUCTURE

Bicycles - There are spaces for 10 bicycle parking spaces near the main pavilion.

Car Parking - There are 97 normal car parking spaces within a car park at the front of the site and 3 blue badge spaces.

Bus service - National Express runs bus 51 from Birmingham to Walsall, which goes passed the recreational grounds. There is a bus stop near the Aston city campus situated opposite the Birmingham Children’s Hospital main entrance.

ACTIONANDTARGETS

From the surveys that have taken place and in line with the Estates Strategy and University Strategy the following objectives and targets have been set:

Action Audience Responsibility Current 2020 Target

Discourage car users.

- Look to offer an incentive for car sharers; this could be priority spaces nearer to the centre of campus or a financial incentive.

- Investigate flexible parking passes for those who could travel by public transport for part of the week.

- Put on further events to promote car sharing and to enable staff members to network and find possible car share partners.

- Alter car parking permit price structure in line with emissions and salary.

- Increase the cost of parking permits

Staff members. Sustainability Team

Security

21% of staff members are single occupant car users and 6% either drive or are a passenger in a shared vehicle (2017/18 data) - however security data shows car drivers are on the increase.

Aston is part of the FAXI car share scheme only for internal staff. New staff asking for a parking permit can request FAXI

Reduce car parking permit numbers by 5%

- Offer a wider range of parking permits for staff to be more flexible and use the car less frequently

- Offer the use of a staff pool car for short to medium journeys

- Increase opportunities for staff to work from home/ flexible working hours.

information.

Encourage staff to use teleconferencing facilities where possible instead of travelling to meetings.

- All PCs on site should have had Office 2010 upgrade and therefore Skype for Business should be available. IT services are to offer training for this via Staff Development.

- Work with Payroll to improve the capture of business mileage data.

- Look to increase tele and video conferencing facilities

Staff members.

EEST

ISA

Payroll and EEST

Teleconferencing has been promoted to Go Green Champions as an alternative to business travel.

Review business travel and aim to reduce this figure.

New videoconference facilities become available.

Increase public transport usage.

- Improve information on public transport around site.

- Further promote travel options to staff and students. There are travel cards and corporate discounts that the University provide which could be promoted more widely. The University can work with Birmingham City Council and Transport for West Midlands to see if travel discounts or incentives, such as the 2 week trial pass, could be provided.

- Look to increase corporate discounts

Staff and students

EEST

National Express / other travel operators.

BCC and Transport for West Midlands

Staff train usage has dropped, but there are increase in park and ride, bus and other which 100% include a form of sustainable transport being used.

Student rail and bus usage has decreased, but park and ride and car share have increased. 100% of the other included some form of sustainable transport being used.

Transport for West Midlands attend awareness events throughout the year. Special offers have been promoted in the Students’ Union

To increase staff train, bus, park and ride and metro total usage by 3% (total 50%).

To increase student train and bus usage by 2% (Total 45%).

newsletter.

Free travel taster passes were provided to staff.

Improve cycling facilities by:

- Safer routes was the top reason staff and students don’t cycle to the University. Work with local government and Transport for West Midlands to highlight dangerous/ problem routes.

- Providing secure cycle parking was third in the ways to encourage cycling. The University should look at increasing cycle parking facilities when the new SU is built.

- The University should look at expanding its cycle locker facilities and the possibility of providing maintenance facilities.

- Improve cycling information i.e. the provision of maps and information around campus, on the web site and at information fayres during Freshers’ Fortnight and throughout the year.

- Continue to offer promotional events such

Staff and Students

EEST

Projects

Currently 14% of staff cycle to campus, which is an 8% increase from 2015/16.

Gates were installed on a number of facilities and security data shows a decline in bicycles being stolen from the previous year (14 bicycles stolen compared to 16).

4% of students cycle to campus, which has increased slightly from

We envisage staff cycling levels to be at 8% and student levels to be at 6%.

as cyclists’ breakfast, Dr Bike sessions and second hand cycle sales.

- Use Birmingham City Council’s Travel Plan online tool for future travel plan data storage and surveys.

- Promote new bicycle docking scheme rolling out around the West Midlands. Look at corporate membership to reduce annual membership costs for staff and students.

3% in 2015/16.

Dr bike sessions, cycle maintenance classes, Top cycle award, City Council visit, Green week (breakfasts, Dr Bike and other stalls) and another Dr Bike event.

Improve information provision on walking to campus.

- Produce a campaign on the benefits of walking to work. Incentivise via national campaigns such as Walk to Work Week.

Staff and Students

EEST, liaise with Birmingham City Council and Transport for West Midlands

Staff walking levels have increased from 7% in 2015/16 to 8% in 2015/16. Student walking has stayed at 41%.

Walking percentage to increase to 10%