Archived decisions

1. Summary

1.1 This report sets out progress made in developing and implementing the MIRACLES project. Members are asked to note progress.

2. Introduction and Background

2.1 Winchester is one of 19 cities throughout Europe where integrated measures to overcome the environmental problems caused by traffic congestion are to be demonstrated and evaluated. This work has been part funded by the European Union under the CIVITAS (City Vitality Sustainability) programme, which was developed to implement bold, innovative and integrated action for the radical improvement of urban transport. The MIRACLES project (Multi Initiatives for Rationalised Accessibility and Clean Liveable EnvironmentS) was conceived under this CIVITAS initiative.

2.2 Winchester's involvement in MIRACLES commenced in February 2002, to run for four years. MIRACLES also involves the cities of Rome, Cork and Barcelona. Stakeholders in the project include the County Council, Winchester City Council, the University of Southampton, Atkins, the Meteorological Office and Stagecoach. Regular consultation is also being carried out with the Winchester Commuter Forum and Winchester Freight Forum. The main aim is to introduce integrated demonstration projects to improve energy efficient transport and encourage a shift from motorised to non-motorised transport, thereby reducing emissions and improving air quality. The MIRACLES project is closely linked with WMAP and Clean Zones. The outcomes will be used to provide advice and guidance to other cities throughout Europe.

2.3 A number of work packages are to be progressed and a full-time Project Manager for MIRACLES in Winchester has been appointed. The County Council's allocation within the MIRACLES project is €1.2 million (£740,000), which represents a 35% contribution from the EU to the total project costs. In addition, an initial funding allocation for MIRACLES of £240,000 was made within the 2002/03 Local Transport Plan settlement and a further £880,000 in 2003/04. There are 13 measures being implemented within Winchester contained within eight work packages. A description of the work is as follows.

3. City Centre Clean Zones

3.1 Research has shown that only 10% of vehicles contribute 50% of emissions in urban areas. Therefore, this work package aims to set up a city centre clean zone, and to create and maintain a database of emission measurements from road-side sensors and automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) technology. This will be used to identify and target gross polluting vehicles and develop an enforcement strategy. Four levels of enforcement could then be used:

(i) inform drivers via a postal leaflet that their vehicle is a gross polluter;

(ii) inform drivers as they pass a sensor that their vehicle is a gross polluter, and advise them to use the park and ride;

(iii) offer owners of gross polluting cars a discount on the servicing of the vehicle; and

(iv) enforcement fines, should Winchester be declared an Air Quality Management Area.

4. Flexible Parking Policies and Environmentally Linked Charges

4.1 Another measure to be introduced is that of adopting parking policies on a basis of environmental conditions. At present, no system of varying the cost of parking or access to parking spaces, according to the environmental performance of a vehicle, exists within Winchester or Europe. A revised car parking strategy could be developed to provide benefits for low polluting vehicles parking in the city centre, and disbenefits for gross polluting vehicles. A viable alternative for gross polluting vehicles could be offered at the park and ride scheme on the outskirts of the city.

5. Improving Bus Service Quality and Information

5.1 Within this work package two measures are to be introduced - improving the bus service quality and information provision to travellers. This measure will seek to improve the quality of the bus service in Winchester in terms of waiting facilities, rebranding of buses, discount ticketing schemes, improved routes and greater integration of bus and rail. This will largely be achieved through a Quality Bus Partnership (QBP) between the County Council and the bus operator, Stagecoach.

5.2 Improved and integrated information, in the form of improved real-time bus departure information, stop specific timetables, mobile messaging service, employer displays, etc will contribute to the aim of increasing bus patronage and the satisfaction of users.

6. New Cycling Opportunities

6.1 Cycling opportunities will be promoted to assist WMAP with its goal of quadrupling cycling by 2012 (compared to the 1996 base). A major initiative within this measure is the promotion of a 'bike-about' scheme. The scheme will offer members of the public access to bicycles, without having to worry about making a return journey. This will be supported by the introduction of new and extended cycle networks and secure cycle parking facilities.

7. New Concepts for the Distribution of Goods

7.1 Through liaisons with the Winchester Freight Partnership a coordinated urban delivery service is to be designed to raise the efficiency of freight deliveries in Winchester, and so improve energy efficiency and reduce overall emissions in the city centre. A system based on unattended deliveries will be explored, with non-perishable goods being left in lockable containers outside the city centre. The goods would be collected and redistributed inside the city centre by an electric van.

8. Innovative Soft Measures and Awareness Programmes

8.1 Awareness and education form the hub of any programme of changes. The MIRACLES project will build on existing campaigns, such as the County Council's HEADSTART and Central Government's 'Are you doing your bit?', both of which aim to raise awareness of sustainable travel. Information will be disseminated through a variety of media and consultation exercises, advertising the publicity, and participation in events such as Winchester Bike Week and Alternative Transport Day.

8.2 The benefits of clean engines and improved air quality will also be highlighted. This will be supported by a pollution forecasting model, developed by the national meteorological centre, which will be enhanced to provide forecasts of air quality via the ROMANSE on-line web-site and other media such as radio. The information will also be transferred to real-time bus information displays and Variable Message Signs (VMS).

9. Mobility Management Measures

9.1 Support will be provided for individuals and companies wishing to update/redesign current transport practices and procedures in order to improve the air quality of Winchester. Software will be produced to support the financial case for a switch to clean engine technology.

9.2 The promotion of improved bus services, the benefits of an environmentally linked parking strategy and the availability of `bike-about' and improved cycle facilities will all help to support modal shift.

10. Improved Traveller Information Systems and Network Management

10.1 Improved multi-modal traveller information is to be provided in the form of large information displays located in the offices of two large employers. These will give details of real-time information on air quality, bus and train departures, and journey times on strategic routes out of the city. Four new Bus Departure Information Systems and four new electronic information kiosks will be installed. Six VMS will be installed on strategic routes entering the city, displaying information on air quality and travel, and more information systems at the bus and train stations and other key public locations.

10.2 Network management will also be improved through an Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system that will enable journey time data to be collected in real-time for both public and private transport. This information will also be fed into a computer model to further enhance traffic management scenarios.

11. Clean Public and Private Fleets

11.1 There are three measures to be taken, which will result in:

(i) cleaner buses being used on the network;

(ii) clean technology fleet vehicles being used by the County and City Councils and private businesses; and

(iii) a clean fuel support service being established.

11.2 Working through the Quality Partnership established earlier in the project, new buses that have very low emissions will be provided for use within Winchester, and the existing fleet will be converted to a low emission standard.

11.3 The County Council and Winchester City Council are to review the cost-effectiveness and operational differences of a wide range of clean technology vehicles, and produce a path to the introduction of new clean engines as part of their fleet renewal programme.

11.4 The clean fuel support service attempts to break down current barriers and increase exposure to the use of alternative fuel vehicles by businesses. A range of vehicles, with different types of clean engines, will be loaned to businesses for up to one month. Assistance and information will also be supplied to develop business cases for the conversion/replacement of existing fleet stocks.

12. Summary

12.1 Implementation of the MIRACLES project is planned over the next two years. Schemes will be implemented throughout this period and reports on progress will be made.

Recommendation

That this report be noted and regular progress reports be presented to the Winchester Highway Management Advisory Panel.

7821/KM