Use Of Sustainable Modes Research Articles

Do we know whether personal travel planning really works?

Personal travel planning (PTP) involves providing people with tailored information and assistance which might persuade them voluntarily to increase their use of sustainable modes while reducing their dependence on the private car. The exact method of identifying the recipient's needs varies, as does the range of the information and assistance provided. Impressive results have been reported in terms of changes in behaviour but there remains some scepticism about the reliability of the data used to estimate changes in behaviour and about the shortage of independent assessments. This paper summarises evidence and opinions on the robustness of the published results of PTP campaigns and concludes that, although the prominently published results show a degree of consistency, serious questions remain about the reliability of the methods used to produce these results and about the possibility of systematic bias. It is argued that the possibility of systematic bias undermines the weight that would otherwise be given to the consistency in published results. It is suggested that future evaluations should put more weight on independent and objective monitoring of effects but that it is unrealistic to expect any affordable evaluation to yield a robust, transferable and incontrovertible result.

Assessment of the Future Development of Car Sharing in Germany and Related Opportunities

Car sharing, which can be defined as sharing vehicle services amongst members, thereby giving them access to a fleet of vehicles, is important in promoting the use of sustainable modes of transport. Although the car‐sharing market in Germany has grown considerably in recent years, customer take‐up is still relatively low. Only 0.16% of driving licence holders in Germany have joined a car‐sharing organization. As a result, the central objective of this paper is to assess ways of promoting car‐sharing services further. Therefore, it begins with an investigation into the current situation in Germany, for which a survey addressing all German car‐sharing organizations was conducted. Additionally, a household survey was conducted to evaluate the demand for car sharing. Finally, research into the development of car sharing in other countries was undertaken via the Internet and a brief survey to car‐sharing organizations in some of those countries. Recommendations for the further development of car sharing are given based on the findings from each of these studies.

A systematic approach to rights of way improvement planning

The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 created the legal basis for rights of way improvement plans (ROWIPs). A systematic approach to the development of these plans has been developed through work on a pilot in Cheshire. A topic reviewed more closely was the way in which a ROWIP might encourage use of sustainable modes of transport. The pilot project comprised extensive user surveys, the results of which were then reviewed in the light of a walkover survey. Generic classes of improvement have been identified which could assist other highways authorities in ROWIP production. In this paper the genesis of the systematic approach is discussed and comments made on its validity and applicability, particularly differentiating between deeply rural and semi-urban areas. Survey and assessment techniques and the appropriate level of detail for user surveys are discussed together with the evaluation of benefits that might arise for different classes of user and journey purposes.