How TravelSmart Works

Most people agree we need to do something to reduce greenhouse gas emissions but find it hard to know exactly what to do. TravelSmart provides a way of changing our own travel behaviour and achieving some significant results.

TravelSmart works by identifying:

• current travel behaviour
• barriers to taking up more sustainable forms of transport
• ways of overcoming those barriers

At the start of a TravelSmart project, a survey of current travel behaviour patterns is carried out. There may also be an ‘audit’ of the transport options at the selected location.

The results of the survey are collated and analysed. A picture is developed of how people currently travel and what other options they may consider – such as cycling, walking, car-pooling or catching the bus.

The data also provides information about what people perceive to be the main barriers to taking up those more environmentally friendly, healthy and sustainable forms of transport.

The next step is to develop green travel plans for the surveyed locations. The green travel plans address some of the barriers people confront when trying to change the way they travel.

Green Travel Plans

For example, the travel plan may include:

• The establishment of a Bicycle Users Group, to encourage ‘non-cyclists’ to meet experienced riders.
• A morning tea may be organised, where people who want to try car-pooling can meet and organise trial car-pooling to go to work, school or even shopping!
• Information on bus services may be provided, as well as incentive packs for people trying walking, cycling or public transport.

The green travel plan is implemented and a follow up survey completed at a later date. This survey will assess the success of the project in altering the way people travel – even if just for one day a week.