Evaluating COVID19 emergency travel schemes across South Gloucestershire Council

Public Health Intervention Responsive Studies Team (PHIRST) Evaluation - South Gloucestershire Council COVID19 Public Spaces Management

In the summer of 2020 South Gloucestershire Council set up a number of emergency travel schemes across the local authority to enhance social distancing and increase the uptake of active travel. The schemes include the pedestrianisation of high streets, creation of cycle lanes, low traffic neighbourhoods and the temporary closure of roads outside schools. 

Rationale: This PHIRST led project sets out to evaluate the impact of the emergency travel schemes on travel behaviour and in doing so inform the viability of similar schemes in the future.  Recommendations will also be provided to the Council on good practice on delivery, the most effective ways to utilise existing data and how best to collect primary data to monitor future travel schemes.

Research aims: Following a consultation with local stakeholders through an Evaluability Assessment a number of outcomes were identified which reflect the anticipated benefits of the schemes. These outcomes have been turned into the following research questions:

1. Has the scheme induced a behavioural shift by increasing active forms of travel?
2. Has the scheme delivered an improvement in air quality?
3. Has the scheme changed people’s sense of pride in their community and made it a more attractive place to live?
4. Are there any groups who have access issues to the schemes?

Data: To undertake the evaluation we are using existing data in the form of the sub-regional Travel to Work Survey provided by TravelWest and also reviewing any other existing data and feedback relating to the Schemes that could be used in their evaluation. This will be complemented with the collection of primary data through a user survey at the scheme locations and of the general South Gloucestershire population, plus see the Participant Information Leaflet for more information.

Methodology: We set out to adopt a mixed methods approach by using a mix of qualitative and quantitative methods. Qualitative methods include thematic analysis to explore patterns emerging from written responses contained in the surveys. With the use of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) we will investigate whether the travel schemes have changed how people travel to work in terms of their mode and route.  GIS will also be used to identify whether people’s views of the schemes vary across the Council area   Descriptive statistics and regression analysis will be used to explore closed questions and will highlight people’s general feelings towards the schemes.

For further information about the project please contact Mrs Laura Ritson.

More information about the Public Health Intervention Responsive Studies Team (PHIRST) North

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Last modified: Thu, 10 Mar 2022 09:58:45 GMT