What is a travel plan?
A travel plan is a long term strategy which aims to encourage people to use sustainable travel. It should include a range of measures which encourage people to:
- walk
- cycle
- use public transport
- share car journeys
A travel plan will usually include:
- any travel issues which need to be addressed
- details of how people travel to the site
- an action plan
- a specific car reduction target
- details of how the travel plan will be monitored
Generally, travel plans focus on the journey to work. However, they can also be an effective way to address:
- road safety issues
- reducing business travel costs (by promoting remote or home working)
- making a site more accessible to visitors and deliveries
- efficient management of company vehicles
Benefits of a travel plan
Travel Plans are a requirement for some planning applications. A travel plan will help in bringing about a wide range of benefits to the wider community. Examples include:
- reducing peak time congestion
- reducing harmful transport emissions
- improving accessibility and tackling social exclusion
- improved public transport
- fewer car trips, potentially lowering the frequency and cost of highway maintenance
- creating additional site capacity by reducing the need for parking spaces and their ongoing maintenance costs
- enhancing the image of the company which supports Corporate Social Responsibility
- promotion of healthy lifestyles through more physical activity
- the use of different active travel options