Achieving sustainable transport or a green travel plan requires a multi-faceted approach and the involvement of many internal and external functions such as:

• Staff / Students
• Local neighbourhoods
• Industry / Commerce
• Public sector institutions – LA's, NHS etc
• Bus, train and tram operators.

To be able to understand the impacts of travel choice, awareness of alternatives to the car etc, the starting point is often a staff / student travel survey. HEEPI has developed a standardised travel survey, which seeks to obtain the following headline indicator data (click here to see a copy of the survey):

• Frequency of travel
• Distance travelled
• Arrival / Departure times
• Modal split / choice
• Transport services used
• Journey times
• Group representation i.e. male / female / student / staff / part time

Understanding your baseline for transport is paramount as all FHEIs vary in terms of size, geography and transport infrastructure, meaning your own institutions data is essential because only so much can be gleamed from the dissemination of best practice.

Once baseline data is collected, it is possible to begin implementing measures that will help reduce transport impacts, which are often part of a Green Travel Plan . A university example can be seen here – University of Leeds Transport Plan .

Shifting to more sustainable modes

Modal shift, especially single car users, is often difficult to achieve. A mix of stakeholder consultation, carrots and sticks is often required, as was the case with Bristol.

A 12% reduction in staff using their car and a 21% increase in staff walking over a 2-year period was achieved at Bristol by:

• Increasing car parking charges to double revenue, whilst make charging fairer by:
• Creating three needs-based categories of parking
• Introducing daily rather than annual fees so that individuals could pay only for what they used.
• Web-based car sharing scheme
• Washing and changing facilities for cyclists and walkers
• Joint initiative to provide a bus shuttle service
• Interest free loans for purchase of public transport season tickets.

The full HEEPI case study – Reducing staff commuting by car - an integrated approach pays dividends at the University of Bristol, can be seen here.

Improving alternatives to the car

Many Institutions operate, often at their own risk or in partnership with a local company, a university bus service. Examples of this can be seen at Southampton, Loughborough, Gloucestershire, Bristol and Hertfordshire.

Southampton has eight remote sites and one main campus. The needs of students and staff travel between sites, especially from halls of residence, and a lack of investment in public transport infrastructure, meant that car parking was over-spilling into the residential neighbourhood.

To rectify this problem, the University entered a 5-year agreement in 2001 with a local company to provide:

• A fleet of 10 buses, built to University specification
• Provision of a driver
• An operating service of 21 hours a day (18 on Sunday)

A massive shift in bus use was achieved with 4,000 passengers carried a day. This partnership approach meant that a solution to the parking problems was achieved.

Appointment of a Travel Plan Coordinator

Achieving the above measures and implementing a travel plan often requires the appointment of an individual with the necessary skills. The University of Hertfordshire provides an example of the job description for a post of this kind (advertised at a salary of £16,712 - £20,428).

Reducing the need to travel

Of course there are other alternatives that can help reduce travel impacts such reviewing how teaching is delivered, developing and encouraging home working.

One means of achieving this is to use audio - or video-conferencing technologies instead. A recent videoconference with prospective students is Singapore allowed a Bradford academic to:

Successfully deliver a teaching commitment, that wouldn't have been possible otherwise

Offset 2.5 tonnes of carbon dioxide by not flying

Save over £1200 in flights and accommodation.

Reducing deliveries

Reducing the number of commercial deliveries to the campus requires FHEIs to address a number of issues. Many institutions have devolved buyers, all procuring goods separately, which can accumulate into 100s of deliveries a week. The best solution is to be able to procure goods centrally, as in the case of Leeds Met, or have large storage facilities. Both options require reorganisation of policies and the acquisition of space, which is often at a premium within the sector.