A travel plan as a tool for modifying university staff and students’ travel behaviour towards sustainable practices

Abstract

Travel Demand Management (TDM) techniques mainly focus on reducing the number of single occupant car trips and encourage people to use more efficient and sustainable modes such as buses, cycles, and walking. Travel plan is being used as a Travel Demand Management tool around the world in recent times. Medium to large organisations have started to develop travel plans for their employees with a view to modifying their travel behaviour. If the commuting behaviour of a large number of employees could be changed through travel plans it could have a huge impact on reducing congestion and road transport related pollution. Universities can attract a large number of trips from the students and staff. On many issues universities act as a role model. If the universities can modify the travel habits of students and staff through travel plans, they can not only have positive effects on the city road network and environment but also encourage other organisations to follow suit. This study critically reviews the travel plans of a few universities around the world from sustainability perspectives. It critiques the basis of adopting policies and attempts to find the common as well as unique features of the measures with a view to identifying the best practices. Travel plans are still a new concept and there are hardly any guidelines on preparing them. This research would help universities to modify or develop effective travel plans and lead others to adopt sustainable practices.