Changing the way we move 

Travel choice behaviour

“Our core activity is gathering and interpreting empirical data to identify changes in transport provision that will encourage pro-social behaviour change,” says John, who along with his colleagues, is helping to bridge the gap between social priorities and transport infrastructure.

CTS has studied the motivations of travellers in 18 towns and cities in England, which revealed that they are more likely to take up cycling where there is greater investment in providing safe, comfortable and attractive routes.

Further studies into the travel choices of the over 50s, as part of the CycleBOOM study, echoed these findings, as does research that shows the need for cycle routes separated from both pedestrians and motor traffic.

Principles, policy and practice

Inspiring the public to make healthier choices is one thing, persuading policy makers to make that possible is another, which is why many researchers in CTS are engaged as experts in transport planning and design by regional and international bodies.

For more than a decade, UWE Bristol has played a central role in evaluating local transport initiatives, most recently enabling Bristol City Council to win recently a further £8 million from the Department for Transport to promote and improve cycling.

In Wales, John was commissioned to audit the Active Travel Network investment plans of the 22 unitary authorities, helping the Welsh Government to target effectively its limited resources to the cycling schemes that will have the maximum impact.

CTS research also contributed to the European Union Horizons 2020 FLOW project on modelling the congestion reduction benefits of cycling and walking. This work influenced planning decisions for schemes in Budapest, Dublin, Gdynia, Lisbon, Munich and Sofia.

Planning and design

Much of the evidence gathered through CTS research forms the basis of guidance and standards for transport planners and infrastructure designers, and has been published by the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation, Highways England and the Department for Transport. An e-learning tool developed for Highways England has been used by more than 3,000 designers.

Contribution to the UN 2030 sustainable development goals

UWE Bristol is proud to align our research to the UN sustainable development goals. The above research aligns with the following goals: