European experience of travel planning: an expert perspective

The current reliance on private vehicles is a major contributing factor to congestion, environmental degradation and energy use. A number of measures, most notably fuel taxes, parking policy, traffic management schemes and more recently road user charging have been implemented in a number of cities as a means of addressing the situation. At the same time ‘softer’ options, such as travel plans have been applied in an increasing number of cases, in a bid to resolve the issues caused by accessing workplaces, schools and other trip generators by the private car. A travel plan comprises a package of measures tailored to the needs of individual organisations and aimed at promoting greener, cleaner travel choices and reducing reliance on the car. Unlike the traditional approach to counteract transport problems of providing more capacity, travel plans can be relatively quick, inexpensive, effective and a more acceptable option. The aim of this paper is to determine the current situation and future direction with respect to travel plans within a European context. In order to assess the situation in-depth face-to-face and telephone interviews were undertaken with 20 travel plan experts from Europe and the USA. Interviewees were selected based on a careful study of the literature and the authors’ detailed knowledge of transport policy and travel plans. Interviewees highlight the need for an action-based approach to ensure that travel plans have an impact, with communication being key to success. They emphasise the need for standardised monitoring and evaluation to assess the cost saving ability of travel plan adoption to organisations, and carbon reduction potential. For the future there is agreement that there will be a growing demand for mobility management measures and the implementation of travel plans and travel plan networks are expected to play an increasing role. For this to occur it is argued that there needs to be greater support from Government, local authorities and within organisations, so as to provide continuity in funding and targeted provision.