Sustainable Travel Plan

Transcription

1 Sustainable Travel Plan 2012/13 to 2017/18

2 1. Background Ulster University is located on four campuses across Northern Ireland: Belfast city centre, Coleraine on the north coast, Jordanstown to the north of Belfast, and Magee in Derry~Londonderry. Derry~Londonderry (Magee campus) Coleraine campus Jordanstown campus Belfast campus The University recognises the unique nature of its estate and the difficulties and duplication of resources resulting from the geographical distribution of its campuses. However, the opportunities a dispersed presence across Northern Ireland offers the University in achieving its vision is also recognised. This dispersed presence also creates difficulties in relation to sustainable travel, in particular the need for inter campus business travel to attend meetings, seminars etc. and the out of town/city centre locations of the Coleraine and Jordanstown Campuses. Sustainable travel initiatives introduced to date Over the years, Ulster University has introduced a series of initiatives which have improved sustainable travel arrangements both directly and indirectly. Key initiatives introduced included a car park management system, a dedicated car share database, provision of sustainable travel information on the University s web pages and salary sacrifice schemes for cycling to work and bus travel.

3 2. Introduction The University s Corporate Plan 2011/12 to 2015/16 recognises the need to conduct business to the highest standards of corporate governance and corporate social responsibility (CSR). This travel plan will support the University s CSR efforts through; reducing environmental impact, through a reduction in the commuting and business travel emissions of over 3000 staff and 25,000 students the promotion of the health benefits of sustainable travel modes such as cycling, walking and the use of public transport to staff and students being a good neighbour. By reducing the amount of cars travelling to the University congestion on the roads should be reduced. There is also potential to reduce the amount of cars being parked in residential areas in the vicinity to the University s campuses. The Corporate Plan also commits the University to further develop its environmental sustainability strategy and the sustainable travel plan is a contributing element to this. In addition the sustainable travel plan will support the University Carbon Management Plan s business travel reduction targets. The Travel Plan is a live document and as such progress will be monitored, reviewed (on at least an annual basis) and updated as necessary to ensure the initiatives contained within the action plan continue to target the relevant issues so that the aims, objectives and target of the Plan remain realistic.

4 3. Travel analysis Staff and student commuting Staff and student travel surveys were conducted in October 2010 to provide an indication of the modal split for commuter journeys to the university campuses at the time. It also gave an indication of the potential for staff and students to change their travel habits and identified those sustainable travel options which might be considered by staff and students. The staff survey had an excellent 34% response rate, with a 6% response rate for the student survey. A summary of the key findings from the staff survey is as follows: The predominant mode of travel to the campuses is alone by car (single occupancy) (71.6%). The main reasons given for doing so were that it was quick, convenient and allowed for domestic and caring responsibilities in comparison to other modes such as public transport; 270 of the 801 university staff (33.7%) who regularly drive on their own to work indicated that they would consider using an alternative mode of transport; The survey indicated that staff single occupancy car drivers would consider car sharing and could be encouraged to do so by using various measures such as providing staff with assistance to find someone suitable to share with and providing them with information on the car share website. In relation to cycling, the survey indicated that the provision of lockers, changing facilities and more secure cycle parking could encourage staff to cycle to work; and 85 staff members currently use public transport (7.6%) as their main mode of transport to work. Discounted tickets and more frequent and direct bus services are the main measures which would encourage more staff to use public transport. Staff postcode analysis In addition to the travel survey, a postcode analysis was also completed on staff members home addresses. This exercise was completed to assess the potential for staff to use public transport and walk and/ or cycle to work. The potential to travel more sustainably was based on their vicinity (based on recommended travel distances contained within best practice guidance documents) to bus/train stations or stops/ halts and how close they lived to the University campuses (for walking and cycling). The results of the analysis showed that a high proportion of staff can potentially commute by public transport, walk and/ or cycle to the campuses. It also showed that there are significant clusters of staff living close to each other at each campus who could potentially car share.

5 4. Business travel The University recognises that the environmental impact of its business travel is significant. The promotion of existing remote conferencing facilities and the completion of enhancements to those facilities will be undertaken to encourage a reduction in unnecessary business travel. A new specific target in relation to business travel has not been included within this Travel Plan, as the following targets for business travel reduction are already included within the University s Carbon Management Plan 1. to achieve a 15% reduction in car travel by July 2016 from a 2009/10 baseline. 2. to achieve a 20% reduction in air travel by July 2021 from a 2009/10 baseline. The non-environmental benefits of using more sustainable alternatives to private car use for inter campus business travel and air travel will also be promoted. For example, the use of video conferencing rather than travelling for meetings/appointments/conferences can incur greater efficiencies for faculties and departments. This will not only reduce mileage claims and expenditure on air travel, but it will also result in more productive staff time. Business short haul (to mainland Europe) and long haul air travel is currently a concern given the recent upward trend in its use. Whilst it is recognised that business air travel plays a crucial role in achieving the University s vision, the reduction of non-essential travel must be given serious consideration. 5. Car parking There are a number of parking related concerns for the University, which include the inconvenience caused to the local community in the vicinity of the University campuses with small numbers of staff and students parking in the nearby residential areas. There are also significant parking pressures at peak times, in particular during the first few weeks of each semester when it can be difficult to find a free space on campus. It would be prudent for the University to therefore consider the periodic review of timetabling to assess the potential of achieving a greater spread of classes throughout the week to assist in reducing the concentration of students arriving on site, thereby maximising the use of spare capacity available in the car parks in less busy periods. It is however recognised that the importance of the scheduling of teaching by far outweighs the constraints on parking availability, but it would still be prudent to commence discussions to assess the potential for such reviews to take place. It is not logical to construct additional car parking spaces to cater for these busy periods, especially as they are mostly confined to a few weeks per semester. To do so would be a waste of money in the current financial climate. It would also send out the wrong message in relation to the University s CSR aspirations and its overall commitment to sustainability.

6 6. Travel plan objectives and target The Sustainable Travel Plan has been developed to address travel issues with a focus on staff commuting and business travel. The principal objectives of the plan are to: a) Enhance the University s CSR/ sustainability commitments by reducing congestion, demand for car parking spaces and environmental pollution through fewer cars travelling to the university on a daily basis; b) Provide realistic and less expensive travel choices for staff, students and visitors travelling to/ from the University; and c) Influence a culture change amongst staff and students which could also result in health benefits through reduced pollution (through less cars on the road); increased fitness (through more exercise when walking or cycling to work); and reduced stress (associated with less driving and parking and increased exercise). This Sustainable Travel Plan has been established for a five year period. The high level target relating to the reduction in single occupancy car commuting by staff has been established based on the information gathered on staff origins (postcode analysis), responses to the travel survey and the availability of public transport to/from the University s campuses. The following high level target has been established for the University. To achieve a reduction in the number of single occupancy commuting car journeys from 71.6% in 2010 to 55% by the end of year 5 of the travel plan, through the migration to the use of more sustainable travel alternatives. Travel surveys will be completed periodically to monitor progress on the migration to more sustainable travel modes, with progress reported and monitored through the University s Environmental Sustainability Steering Group.

7 7. Sustainable travel action plan The Sustainable Travel Action Plan, attached as appendix 1, contains a series of improvement initiatives to encourage the use of more sustainable modes of travel, and the use of remote conferencing to reduce business travel. This action plan will be reviewed on an annual basis and updated accordingly. Given the current financial pressure on the University, its students and its staff, the Action Plan prioritises those initiatives which are low cost to develop and introduce incentivise/ encourage staff to travel sustainably 1 The majority of the initiatives planned for introduction therefore have relatively low implementation costs. Those initiatives with the potential to incur significant cost will be trialled to evaluate the business case in advance of full roll out. Initiatives detailed within the action plan will focus primarily on staff travel due to the transient nature of both the student population and visitors to the University. Student and visitor travel will be targeted through ongoing awareness and promotional campaigns. The funding required for the majority of the initiatives contained within the action plan will be sourced from the Physical Resources Department s annual budget. This will be kept under review as the travel plan develops over the period e.g. should a need arise to introduce more costly initiatives, such as the upgrading of cycle parking and/or changing facilities. Typical initiatives which will require funding include the completion of periodic travel surveys and the design and production of promotional and guidance materials. It is envisaged that the ongoing funding requirements for such initiatives will be in the region of 2-3k annually. 1 Government bodies have questioned why car parking charges have not been increased by the University since its introduction in The primary reason is because the University is mindful of the adverse impact such increases would have on its staff and students at this time.

8 8. Conclusion The successful implementation of the plan will ultimately reduce single car occupancy trips through the increased use of more sustainable modes such as car sharing and the use of public transport. The reduction target for single occupancy car journeys is deemed achievable, despite being challenging. The successful implementation of this Sustainable Travel Plan can only be achieved if it is fully supported by the University s senior management, who must be seen to demonstrate top level commitment to the Plan s objectives. One of the main aims of this plan is to play a key role in developing a sustainable travel culture amongst the University community (its staff and students), resulting in increased use of more sustainable modes of travel and the adoption of smarter methods of working e.g. through the use of remote conferencing. This will be of particular importance once the majority of activities on the Jordanstown campus move to the Belfast campus at the start of the academic year 2018/19. The move to the centre of Belfast will create considerable travel and transportation challenges for the University. It is therefore vital that this University wide plan plays its part in encouraging the adoption of more sustainable travel behaviours so that the culture becomes embedded across the University prior to the relocation from Jordanstown. The University s Sustainability Manager will be responsible for overseeing and co-ordinating the implementation and review of this Sustainable Travel Plan.

9 Appendix 1 Sustainable Travel Action Plan Travel Plan Monitoring TP1 Completion of periodic surveys to assess staff and student travel patterns to monitor uptake of initiatives. Ongoing TP2 TP3 Assess the potential for a mechanism to allow measurement of staff and student commuting to the University to assess associated carbon emissions (scope 3 emissions in support of the University s Carbon Management plan). Assess the potential for a mechanism to allow business travel using public transport and car hire to be measured to assess associated carbon emissions (scope 3 emissions in support of the University s Carbon Management plan). TP4 Continue to participate as an active member of the Northern Ireland Sustainable Travel Forum. Marketing and Promotion Ongoing M/P1 Provide detailed sustainable travel information on the university website. M/P2 M/P3 M/P4 M/P5 Develop a sustainable travel leaflet for new staff and student starter packs to raise awareness of the University s commitment to sustainable travel and the sustainable alternatives available to private car use. Take part in annual promotional events such as Bike Week, Walk Week and Mobility Week. Investigate the provision of personalised travel plans for staff and students to encourage more sustainable travel habits. Launch of Travel Plan to inform staff and students why the plan has been implemented and the benefits of the various sustainable travel options. Ongoing July 2015 January 2013 M/P6 Establish sustainable travel forums for car sharing, cycling, walking, public transport to promote and encourage the various sustainable travel modes. Cycling and walking CW1 Complete an assessment of existing cycle parking facilities, lockers, changing and shower facilities and develop proposals for any opportunities identified. July 2017 CW2 Promote existing communal lockers, changing and shower facilities at each campus. CW3 Promote the Cycle to Work scheme. Ongoing CW4 Promote Bike It with Translink, where bicycles are carried free of charge on trains and buses (space permitting) on services after 0930hrs (Folding bicycles can be carried on all services). CW5 Promote the health and environmental benefits of cycling and walking. CW6 Promote and encourage participation in Bike Week (annual June event held across the UK to promote cycling). Annually

10 CW7 CW8 CW9 Consider the inclusion of shower and changing facilities within major refurbishment and new build works across all university campuses. Assess the potential for free access to the shower and changing facilities within the university s sports centres for staff members walking or cycling to work. Consider liaison with the Roads Service s cycling officer to review local cycle links to enhance accessibility and safety. July 2015 CW10 Investigate discounts for staff at local bicycle providers. Motorcycling M1 Complete an assessment of existing motorcycle facilities and develop proposals for any opportunities identified. Public Transport PT1 Promote the Interactive Journey Planner service available on Translink s website. PT2 Assess the potential for the introduction of an interest free loan scheme for staff to pay the upfront cost for annual commuter travel cards for rail commutes. PT3 Promote existing services, tickets and travelcards such as ilink, Plusbus, weekly, monthly & annual NIR tickets for commuter trips and business trips on e.g. notice boards and on the university website. Car Sharing CS1 Encourage and promote car sharing and the University of Ulster s car share database. Business Travel B1 Review the University s existing policies on business travel approval and develop proposals for promoting and enhancing the use of remote conferencing as an alternative to business travel, in particular to address the negative upwards trend in short and long haul air travel. Ongoing B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 Promote and encourage tele and video conferencing as a means of conducting business to reduce unnecessary travel. Enhance the university s video conferencing capability through investment as detailed in the University s IT Strategy. Investigate the provision of a car sharing allowance to encourage staff to car share for business travel. Review the University s existing car hire scheme to assess potential for use for inter campus travel to meetings (to reduce need for staff to bring their car into work). Encourage staff to select venues for training events, meetings etc. that are fully accessible by sustainable transport modes. Ongoing July 2015 July 2015 July 2016