TravelSmart
Sustrans' TravelSmart holds the key to one of the greatest environmental and social challenges of the 21st Century, reversing the trend towards increased car use and tackling its impacts on climate, public health and quality of life.
TravelSmart achieves this by giving people the tailor-made information and support they need to choose to walk, cycle and use public transport more often. This process is known as Individualised Travel Marketing (ITM).
Since its early pilot projects, TravelSmart has succeeded in reducing car use by 10-14% wherever it has operated whilst also increasing levels of walking, cycling and public transport use. It delivers measurable and sustained change by encouraging people to make a few changes to their daily travel choices when and where it suits them best.
TravelSmart in Derry/Londonderry
This exciting project was the first in Ireland and also the first to have major involvement from local volunteers.
The team targeted 2,000 households in Galliagh, Shantallow and Carnhill with an offer of free information on walking, cycling and public transport.
Local residents were visited by the TravelSmart team of volunteers from May 23rd until July 8th.
Project Officer Adrian Loughrey said: "It's great to see TravelSmart brought to the Greater Shantallow area. We hope to positively influence residents' travel behaviour by getting them out of the car and walking, cycling or using public transport instead. I feel that this will benefit the local community in many ways.
"It's also good that we've been able to engage with local volunteers to carry out the fieldwork. As well as helping to ensure a positive reception from local residents on the doorstep, this work will also bring increased knowledge and skills into the area through the volunteer training that will take place."
With the fieldwork now completed, a follow up survey is to be undertaken in the area in October and a final report on the project due in February 2012. TravelSmart in Derry is being delivered by Sustrans and Socialdata with funding from the Department for Social Development, Department for Regional Development Travelwise NI, Derry City Council and Translink. The project is also supported by the Greater Shantallow Area Partnership and Outer North Neighbourhood Partnership.
Below is a list of the various sustainable modes of transport with links and electronic versions of the literature provided as part of the Derry/Londonderry TravelSmart project.
Local travel map
The most popular item offered was the local travel map produced by Sustrans especially for the project, showing schools, shops and local green spaces and how to get to them on foot, by bike or by bus. The map is available to download:
Bus
All city, county, regional and cross-border route information. Know your local services, plan your journey and get the latest fare info. For more information
Click here.
Rail
Sit back and enjoy the views of Lough Foyle, Donegal and the North Coast on one the UKs most popular and world renowned train journeys. For more information
Click here.
Cycling
With over 60km of routes (15km of which is traffic-free), getting in and out of the city centre by foot and bike has never been easier or safer. For more information
Click here.
Walking
The City is full of great walking routes. For a guide to 9 local walks around the city
click here.
Car Sharing
Do you need a lift? Can you share a lift? Car sharing, or car pooling, is a great way to save money and meet people while eliminating unnecessary car journeys that congest the roads. Anyone seeking to share journeys can register on either or both websites and both services are provided free of charge.
www.carshareni.com
www.carsharing.ie
Additional Links