Scott Copsey

Travelling to work: will people move out of their cars?

This paper examines employees perceptions of their modal choice during the journey to work, and addresses what factors influence modal choice, and whether people can be moved out of their cars to other more sustainable forms of transport. The results of surveys of the commuting habits of employees at two UK companies are presented and compared with other relevant studies. Ninety-seven and 88% of staff at the respective companies travel to work by car. While only 2 and 7% of respondents cycled to work, real potential for cycling was identified, given improvements in the cycling infrastructure. Similarly, while only 0 and 3% currently use public transport for the journey to work, improved services could see a significant modal shift. Overall, there seemed to be genuine willingness to move out of the car for the journey to work, with one of the main barriers being a perception that the alternatives are not viable. Additionally, it appears many people live too far from the workplace to cycle or use public transport.

EMPLOYER TRAVEL PLANS, CYCLING AND GENDER: WILL TRAVEL PLAN MEASURES IMPROVE THE OUTLOOK FOR CYCLING TO WORK IN THE UK?

Abstract Cycling is a ‘green’ alternative to commuting by car yet it makes up only a small percentage of journeys in the UK. Here we examine the commuter habits of three companies in Hertfordshire, UK. These provide contrasting case studies allowing examination of travel behaviour in relation to gender and employer travel plans. Women are known to commute shorter distances, yet are less likely to cycle. A variety of cultural and trip characteristics can account for this yet more detailed analysis reveals that some generalisations do not apply. Organisational initiatives to increase cycle commuting were perceived more positively by men than women and this suggests provision of cycling facilities in travel plans will not be effective for organisations employing a large proportion of women. However, this hides a subgroup of women who have access to a cycle and live near enough to cycle who are more positive about cycle facilities. A variety of cultural and societal constraints on cycle use are considered. Measures to encourage cycling in employer travel plans must reflect the gender balance in the organisation as well as recognised geographical and organisational factors.

Network Northamptonshire: total transport smart city procurement theoretical framework for sustainable economic and social change

Culture, governance and procurement remain under-researched in current academic literature within a smart city transportation context, with evidence suggesting that procurement is a much needed aspect of bringing about change at local government level. This paper showcases the research based upon the “Network Northamptonshire” total transport project, bringing together elements of peer-reviewed research that purport success in the delivery of the smart city concept, allied to identifying gaps in the literature relating to best-in-class business practice to develop a theoretical framework “total transport smart city procurement”. Furthermore, the paper demonstrates that there is a disconnect between the ideals of the smart city and actual development needs, with the authors supporting the need for further research in the area of smart cities’ connection to culture, governance and procurement through the proposed framework in order to convey the wider European smart city concept and continue the sharing of best practice to bring about economic and socially connected conurbations.