Once again the debate at the core of UK transport planning has emerged, this time in the challenge set down by the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE).  This champions the cause for sustainable transport and supports the claim that road building is inherently unsound. CPRE draws on evidence that new roads don’t achieve anything like what is claimed during the planning stages – the contrast with investment in other types of transport infrastructure is clear.  So, it appears that a programme of road construction doesn’t necessarily improve productivity,...

Many people have long believed that the way forward for cities to manage their transport is to get people out of their cars and on to public transport, their bikes or their feet. This reduces congestion and pollution and improves travellers’ health, as well as usually being lighter on their wallets. This way forward has now become the accepted approach for cities as tackling pollution and congestion rise up the political agenda.  But just how realistic is this in practice? 

Like walking, cycling is regularly hailed as a ‘miracle pill’ equivalent. Most of us don’t get enough physical activity, which is linked to conditions from diabetes to depression. We don’t, in general, have time, money and/or motivation to ‘exercise’ daily, and our jobs are often sedentary, so cycling to work is perfect. We can get exercise without even trying. And society benefits: cycling doesn’t produce air or noise pollution or CO2. Compared to driving it’s very space-efficient – a boon for congested towns and...

The pace of technological change and its impact on our lives is ever more evident each day. It also has profound implications for our experience as consumers, set challenges for established business models and has the potential to transform societal relationships and culture. In particular, researchers have focused on various classes of “disruptive” technologies which are rapidly advancing, showing signs of major capability breakthroughs and have the potential to radically impact the status quo in multiple dimensions. Whether commenting on LinkedIn, sharing a Tweet or debating...

November's Autumn Statement was another in a long line of missed opportunities by the UK Government and fails to support low-income households with investments to improve local travel choice with alternatives to car travel such as cycling and walking - says Xavier Brice, Chief Executive, Sustrans

After three months on the job, I think I can finally say I’m getting adjusted to office life in the UK – although, some transitions from my previous office in Canada to our headquarters at 22 Greencoat Place have been more difficult than others. 

A creeping realisation has come to many parts of the country. Local bus services are being eroded as local authorities are forced to cut back spending.

When we plan for the future, we naturally extrapolate past trends. But there is emerging evidence that travel in the twenty-first century will be different from travel in the twentieth century. 

simple but unique aim to provide a platform for experienced transport professionals to share their knowledge with newer industry recruits and those wanting to broaden their understanding of the transport planning sector.

The PTRC course Traffic Signing – from first principles to best practice is planned for 6th – 7th September 2016 in London. The course will offer an opportunity for participants to learn from industry specialists as they explain how best to approach the process of sign design to enhance road safety whilst avoiding over-provision.