March/April 2004
News

Travel Survey revelas commuting habits

Staff are being encouraged to think about alternatives to using their cars after a University survey revealed that more than two-thirds of people drive to work.

Both students and staff were asked to fill in online questionnaires about their travel habits, and the results of the staff survey have now been collated.

The University's Higher Education Environmental Performance Improvement (HEEPI, external link will open in a new browser window) Project conducted the survey to help develop baseline data for key travel indicators.

Analysis of staff showed that 68% use the car to commute yet only 16% of drivers said they had no alternative. More than 80% of car users travel to work alone.

Results also showed that 19% of employees travel by public transport and 5% walk.

University environment manager Jaime Sullivan said that like many city-centre universities "our premises are inadequate to provide parking for all staff, students and visitors.

"However, with these findings we now have the necessary information to help us improve access and to provide workable alternatives to using the car.

"The Travel Wise plan coming this October is about giving staff and students better choice in the way they travel to work."

Some 339 staff members completed the questionnaire - a response rate of 17%. Respondents were asked what they thought should be the priorities for the University's transport policy. Discouraging driving, improving security, better pedestrianisation and better public transport were the major issues.

Jaime added: "For many, getting to work or study by car is the only viable choice. Accordingly, the University will be investing to improve car parking management whilst also encouraging staff, students and visitors to travel by other means."

The survey was designed by HEEPI, which is directed by Professor Peter James and Dr Peter Hopkinson and project managed by Adam van Winsum. It is hoped that more institutions will use the HEEPI travel survey to establish baseline data.

16 April 2004

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