'Small-scale’ measures prove a big hit

05 November 2009

Local transport schemes, such as safe routes to school and traffic calming, contribute to all five of the Department for Transport (DfT)’s strategic goals, including ‘supporting economic growth’, new research has concluded.

The DfT commissioned a programme of research after the 2006 Eddington transport study highlighted the potential benefits – but a lack of evidence – of small-scale, low-cost transport schemes which make better use of the existing network.

The first raft of research found that in two-thirds of all the evaluation studies examined, there was a positive contribution to one or more of the DfT’s strategic goals, particularly relating to ‘tackling climate change’, ‘supporting economic growth’, and ‘better safety, security and health’.

There was less evidence identified to show links between local schemes and the ‘equality of opportunity’ and ‘quality of life’ goals. However, several evaluations of schemes influencing the supply of transport – namely safe routes to school, traffic calming, and traffic restrictions – identified benefits relating to all five goals.

The review included UK and international evaluation of schemes influencing the demand for transport and those influencing its supply, such as engineering measures.

Small-scale demand-side schemes – such as travel planning and car clubs – can significantly change target behaviour in specific circumstances, thereby reducing congestion and supporting economic growth. Such schemes are effective where, for example, congestion is a clearly recognised problem, it was claimed.

Local supply-side schemes such as safe routes to school and cycle facilities also offer some potential to reduce congestion. However, the greatest benefits are likely to be realised where demand and supply side measures are delivered in a cohesive way.

Apart from congestion reduction, other economic benefits were identified. For example, the evaluation of a work-based car-sharing scheme reported reductions in the demand for parking, resulting in cost savings for the employer concerned. The company (E.On) was able to give up leasing additional spaces for employee parking.

Evaluating transport schemes which make better use of the existing network

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