Public transport is more than just a means of getting from point A to point B—it’s a cornerstone of effective and sustainable transport planning. With the national need for increased housing comes the need for efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly transportation systems. Public transport plays a central role in this transformation, serving as a backbone for both urban and rural mobility and shaping the future of development.
Accessibility
One of the primary goals of transport planning is to ensure that all individuals have access to essential services, job opportunities, and local amenities and facilities. Public transport systems which include buses, trains, trams and even ferries enable mobility for people who may not own private vehicles, including low-income individuals, the elderly, and people with disabilities. By taking public transport into consideration and placing it at the forefront of the planning process, developments can promote high quality and inclusive mobility for all individuals.
Highway Impact
High quality public transport connections can reduce the need for a private car and therefore reduce the highway impact of a new development. This reduces the number of vehicles on the road in the development's vicinity and therefore reduces traffic and congestion, especially in the peak hours. This can also lead to a reduction in parking requirements at developments allowing for more space to be used for more sustainable purposes.
Environmental Impact
With climate change at the forefront of policy decisions, transport planning increasingly emphasises reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Public transport, especially when powered by electricity or alternative fuels, produces significantly fewer emissions per passenger than private cars. Integrating green travel options into planning helps developments meet their sustainability goals while improving air quality and public health.
As you can see, the implementation and operation of public transport services play a vital role in transport planning and can have a profound effect on a new development, shaping the way individuals travel both locally and to destination's further afield.
How do we get involved?
Across our three Transport Planning teams we have excellent working relationships with public transport operators which means we can help ensure developments are designed to meet their needs. Where developments need to be served by improved bus routes we work with the local operators to help determine the most suitable bus routes and frequency and can help feedback to the design team their specifications to ensure buses can seamlessly travel through new developments. Speaking to operators early on to determine likely routes and frequency can help ensure developments and masterplans put sustainable travel at the forefront of their movement strategies and ensure sustainable transport opportunities are built in from the beginning.