Impact case study database

CTS research has helped ensure that investment in cycling is well-directed; maximizing the renaissance in cycling and therefore maximizing the benefits of cycling across the UK and beyond. We define the impact of CTS research under two headings: implementation of cycling infrastructure programmes of work; and cycle planning guidance, design standards and tools.

Implementation of cycling infrastructureCTS research has influenced government provision of cycling infrastructure at regional, national and international scales. Research has contributed to programme designs in six European cities, through the EU Horizon 2020 FLOW project (2015-2018). This aimed to address urban congestion by creating more opportunities for walking and cycling, using modelling techniques to assess the effectiveness of cycling (and walking) measures. In particular, CTS research had an impact on the design of the public bike share scheme in Budapest, design solutions for College Green in Dublin, the museum quarter in Munich and street re-designs in Lisbon ( R1, R5, R6). The Project Manager at FLOW confirms the impact on the schemes developed in the project as a result of the ‘ responsible and informed use of transport modelling tools’ which came from CTS ‘insights of … research to the infrastructure design’ ( S1). Building on the work, CTS research was also 'instrumental in shaping the FLOW project’s final recommendations' for congestion reduction ( S1), now being implemented in Budapest, Dublin, Gdynia, Lisbon, Munich and Sofia.

CTS research has demonstrated, in a UK context, the effectiveness of well-designed cycle investment programmes for increasing confidence of people to cycle ( R2) and the numbers of people cycling ( R3, R4). It also identified factors which reduced levels of cycling among older adults compared with mainland Europe ( R5, G4). This evidence has helped local councils in the Bristol city-region (combined population 1,100,000) justify continued and expanding investment in cycling ( S2). The lead authority, Bristol City Council, reports that CTS research on cycling infrastructure and behaviours has been:

‘a material factor in our continued success in winning extension funding, and latterly the £8 million of Access Funding (2017/18 to 2020/21) for continued investment in promotion and behaviour change measures linked with cycling’ ( S3).

Findings also supported decisions on cycle infrastructure in Wales. In 2018, CTS reviewed 22 active travel network investment plans produced by Welsh authorities to help the Welsh Government decide which to fund. The Head of Active Travel and Road Safety at the Welsh Government noted the value of UWE research into ‘ factors which make cycling networks attractive and comfortable for cycle users’, and which help minimise ‘ interactions between cycle users and pedestrians and motor traffic’ ( R4, R5, R6, S4). As a result of the review by CTS, a number of local authorities were directed to undertake further work on their network plans. The same source commented that:

‘the review by the Centre for Transport and Society therefore helped us target limited resources to the areas and schemes which would have maximum impact on uplifting cycling (and walking) levels’ ( S4).

Cycle planning guidance, design standards and toolsGuidance and design standards have been an important influence on policy change, investment decisions and the provision of cycling infrastructure. CTS co-authored cycle planning guidance published in 2014 by the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation (CIHT) – a body of transportation professionals from around the world ( S5). The guidance, accessible to CIHT’s 13,000 members, draws on CTS research, suggesting the need for attractive and comfortable networks for cycling separated from motor traffic and pedestrians ( R6). At a national level, CTS research has informed tools and guidance developed by the UK’s Department for Transport (DfT). Research underpinned advice to the DfT on infrastructure provision included in the web-based Cycle Infrastructure Prioritisation Toolkit (CyIPT) developed in 2018. This tool allows scheme planners to identify where cycle infrastructure is needed, and CTS research (e.g. R1, R6) informed the specification for cycle infrastructure to be provided (e.g. cycle tracks, stepped cycle tracks, and different levels of separation) ( S6). CTS also contributed to the development of DfT’s Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans guidance and tools, through work commissioned by DfT ( S7). All 343 English local authorities are required to comply with these methods for planning and designing cycle networks.

CTS was a principal author of the standard for designing for cycle traffic on major A-roads ( S8). This was developed over the period 2014-16 as part of the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges, a suite of documents containing requirements and advice relating to the strategic road network operated by, or on behalf of, the devolved nation governments of the UK. It is also used by highway authorities as a reference source for local roads. CTS contributions drew on research about driver and cyclist interactions, and helped shape design standards, including, for example, separation needed between cycle and motor traffic (as summarised in R1). The Head of Road Safety at Highways England commented that:

‘CTS research made a particularly important contribution to determining the specifications of horizontal and vertical geometry and stopping sight distances for the design of cycle tracks’ ( S9).

CTS contributed to Transport for London’s international cycling infrastructure best practice study ( S10) which in turn was influential in the comprehensive revision and update of the London Cycle Design Standards, used to implement cycle infrastructure schemes in London. At UK-wide level, and as part of a DfT commissioned team, UWE researchers influenced the selection and writing of 10 case studies for developing innovative cycling infrastructure, used to stimulate improvements in design ( S11).

UWE’s Professor John Parkin is a member of DfT’s Cycle and Walking Infrastructure Group which provides advice on cycling to the UK government and local authorities ( S2). That group commissioned the recently published and substantially revised and updated Local Transport Note (LTN) 1/20 Cycle infrastructure design. Parkin was also a member of a consultancy team that re-drafted the LTN. As an example of the contribution of CTS research, specific reference is made in the Note (p104) to design parameters for traffic signal control design developed by Parkin in his monograph ( R1).

Finally, CTS has made significant contributions to planning and design practice through extensive provision of training and development activities for professional practitioners. This has included pedagogical and content development for the e-learning package on designing for cycle traffic published by Highways England ( S12, see also S8). This package was used by 3,000 designers in its first two years (to September 2018) ( S9). CTS also delivers MSc’s in Transport Engineering and Planning, and Transport Planning, underpinned by CTS research including work on transport behaviour, cycling and infrastructure provision and its application in practice.