Back to the future in 2030: citizens' experiences in cycling and walking... with a vision 27/02/2010 This project, launched by the Institute for Transport Studies (ITS) at Leeds University in collaboration with partners from the Universities of Oxford, Salford, East Anglia and Manchester, looks at creating a suitable atmosphere to promote walking and cycling in Britain. It runs from October 2008 to September 2011
Cycling and walking with a twist benefitting both individual health and the environment. This is the idea behind research at the Institute of Transport Studies (ITS) of Leed University that examines how to encourage this experience by improving infrastructure and by encouraging healthier lifestyles. Starting from the observation that cycling and walking have substantially declined in Britain from earlier times, the researchers analyse the obstacles that discourage people from using these modes and examine how a fundamental change in their adoption can be achieved. The research was encouraged by central government departments and local authorities but above all it was requested by walking and cycling organisations who have provided their own concrete experiences. Based on workshops and participation events from citizens, the study aims to establish a trend for the future through impact assessments taking into account, amongst others, the likely costs and benefits of increased use of these transport modes and their potential effects on individuals' lifestyles. The aim of the research is to encourage citizens to report their own experiences in using these modes. Expert workshops will then, through innovative methodologies and visualisation software, develop visions of alternative futures based on such experiences to make sure that they develop from well-documented facts. The real innovation is putting people's lives at the centre of the picture: from the micro focus of their daily decisions to a greater focus on the way people people make choices in their everyday lives. The project will then expand into examining the steps needed to encourage more people to walk and cycle in the future. Despite possible challenges and risks, the researchers are confident that through a combination of proposed innovatory methodologies and the extensive involvement of experts and the public, innovative ideas will emerge to make a useful contribution to building both national and local strategies in UK and abroad. The tools developed in this project can then be disseminated through the web for policy makers and stakeholders to use as a basis for further planning exercises.
Funded by the UK's Engineering and Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC)
PRESS4TRANSPORT is funded by the European Commission's Directorate-General for Research under the Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (FP7)
Website http://www.visions2030.org.uk/. Contact e-mail:pmtimms@yahoo.co.uk
PRESS4TRANSPORT is funded by the European Commission's Directorate-General for Research under the Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (FP7)