Archived decisions

Contact: Andy Wren, ext 7500 email: [email protected] email: @hants.gov.uk

1. Summary

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

2. 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 The main aim of MIRACLES is to introduce integrated demonstration projects to reduce transport related impacts at the local level, particularly congestion and pollution in the Winchester city centre area. This will be achieved through improving accessibility to the city centre via sustainable transport modes, reducing the emissions of vehicles currently operating within the city centre and promoting and assisting a shift to low-emission vehicles for fleet and private vehicles.

2.3 Winchester's involvement in MIRACLES commenced in February 2002, to run for four years and 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.

2.4 The importance of MIRACLES in Winchester was highlighted by the recent declaration of an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) in the city centre. This designation followed air quality modelling, which was part funded by MIRACLES. The results of this survey advised that standards of air quality were not being met in the city, particularly in regards to Nitrogen Dioxide, with the main sources of the pollutants being road traffic. It was concluded that the MIRACLES initiatives were "crucially important if Government standards are to be met". Following the declaration of an AQMA, an Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP) has to be submitted, and MIRACLES has provided a significant input into the development of this plan. MIRACLES builds on the work of the Winchester Movement and Access Plan and the Clear Zones initiative, which set out objectives for transport within the city and have also contributed to the development of the AQAP.

2.5 In June 2004 the European Commission undertook a mid-term review of the project including European partners in Rome, Barcelona and Cork. The review involved the submission of a variety of reports and project deliverables, including a main implementation report that detailed progress on the design and introduction of the demonstration measures. The Commission's response was favourable. The project passed the mid-term review and can continue with the implementation of the work programme. The overall conclusions from the European Commission were:

(i) MIRACLES is considered a flagship project, is on track and is expected to lead to good results;

(ii) the cooperation between the project partners was effective;

(iii) the quality of the reporting was high, being well-written, detailed and informative;

(iv) at the review meeting the project presented the measures in a well-structured manner, providing a good summary of the information contained in the reports;

(v) MIRACLES has been an active participant in the CIVITAS dissemination and evaluation liaison groups; and

(vi) project dissemination is well-developed and `measure fact sheets' should be developed and placed on the project web-site.

3. Funding

3.1 The County Council's allocation from the EU within the MIRACLES project is €1.2 million (approximately £740,000). In addition, funding allocations for MIRACLES from the Local Transport Plan settlements of £240,000 in 2002/03, £880,000 in 2003/04 and £100,000 in 2004/05 have been made.

4. Monitoring and Evaluation

4.1 The project has a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation programme that is addressing the impact of the measures being trialled in Winchester against a series of targets for the applications being demonstrated. The work is being undertaken by project partners, the Transportation Research Group at the University of Southampton.

4.2 Base-line surveys were carried out in 2003 involving 16,000 households, from which the impacts of the project will be assessed. A more detailed travel diary was completed in October 2003 by a panel of 1,650 respondents selected from the baseline survey. This will be repeated on an annual basis. A series of surveys, questionnaires, and data collection exercises are taking place, which focus on individual work packages both to assist in the development of the initiatives and to evaluate their effect. A series of workshops are planned for autumn 2004, to gain some in-depth feedback on individual measures and to involve the local community further.

4.3 The results and outcomes of the project will be presented in a final evaluation report to be produced at the end of 2005. The outcomes of the project will then be used to provide advice and guidance to other cities throughout Hampshire, the UK and Europe.

5. Project Progress

5.1 There are 13 separate measures being implemented within Winchester contained within eight work packages. These work packages (WP) are as follows:

(i) WP5 - Emissions Monitoring and Reductions;

(ii) WP6 - Environmental Parking Strategy;

(iii) WP7 - Public Transport Services and Information;

(iv) WP8 - Bikeabout and Cycling;

(v) WP9 - Freight Efficiency;

(vi) WP10 - Community Involvement, Awareness and Publicity;

(vii) WP11 - Network Management and Traveller Information; and

(viii) WP12 - Cleaner Fleet and Private Vehicles.

5.2 During the first two years the project has made significant progress in developing and implementing this package of schemes. A description of progress on the work is as follows.

6. Emissions Monitoring

6.1 The aim of this measure is to reduce the number of poorly maintained vehicles in Winchester, thereby reducing the level of emissions and pollution. Innovative remote sensing equipment has been developed for this task, and a number of technical issues had to be overcome in the production of this equipment. The equipment is now fully operational, and since September 2004 emissions have been monitored from traffic entering the city on a number of arterial routes, creating a database of vehicle emissions and characteristics. This database will identify the level of "gross-polluting" vehicles entering the city, and will be used to develop an appropriate strategy to reduce these numbers.

7. Environmental Parking Strategy

7.1 An environmental parking strategy was developed by the project and adopted by Winchester City Council in May 2003. The aim of the strategy is to influence those considering the purchase of a new vehicle to opt for a `low emission' model. As such, significant discounts are being provided on the cost of Winchester City Council season tickets. These discounts relate to the vehicle road fund licence categories, which are based on the level of CO₂/kilometre emitted by the vehicles. For owners of vehicles that have either AA or AAA classifications, discounts of 50% and 75% respectively are available on the cost of a season ticket. As an added incentive, for owners of electric or hybrid vehicles, free season tickets are being provided through the MIRACLES Project. The scheme was officially launched in September 2004 and has generated many enquiries, with owners already benefiting from both discounted and free permits.

8. Public Transport Services and Information

8.1 A quality bus partnership covering Services 1, 5 and Park and Ride was agreed with the local bus operator, Stagecoach, and the City Council in September 2003, improving both the quality of service and information.

8.2 A total of 76 new poles and timetable cases, with improved, stop-specific route and timetable information, were introduced throughout the city on Routes 1 and 5 during spring 2003. A new urban public transport map `PT Plus' was produced, with the first issue being circulated in November 2003. In total 40,000 maps have been produced. This pocket map includes details of bus, rail, and National Express coach services, along with opening times of city centre attractions. A detailed city map has been included to enable users to travel around the city on foot, as well as by public transport. `PT Plus' has since been updated and the new version was distributed in September 2004.

9. Cycling Measures

9.1 Following a successful pilot trial with the University College Winchester the `Bikeabout' (free cycle loan) scheme was launched in June 2004. The aim of Bikeabout is to bring about a modal shift from travel other than by walking and public transport, and to increase public acceptance of cycling.

9.2 Bikeabout currently operates from two sites and has a total of 50 bicycles available for loan. The first site is at University College Winchester, allowing access by students and staff. The second site is close to the railway station, thereby involving commuters, as well as local residents and visitors. Users pay a one-off registration fee and can then borrow a bicycle as often as they like, at no additional charge, for up to 24 hours. As a result of consumer demand an additional node at Park and Ride is currently being investigated. At the beginning of September the number of Bikeabout members at the Railway Station site had risen to 40. There were 35 members at University College Winchester, although this is expected to rise significantly after the start of the academic year.

9.3 Additional cycle parking stands have been introduced in the city centre and a revised cycle map has been produced and distributed.

10. Freight Efficiency

10.1 A new Winchester Freight Map has been produced to help road freight operators and drivers of commercial vehicles find the most appropriate routes to the main freight delivery destinations in Winchester. The map includes vehicular restrictions and highlights advisory routes. It was distributed in September 2004.

10.2 An alternative home delivery service, `shoppers', provided through Collectpoint plc, was launched in Winchester in June 2003. This service is aimed primarily at internet shoppers and offers an alternative delivery option. Customers can choose to have their purchases delivered direct to a `Collectpoint', which tend to be local convenience stores that are open seven days a week, early until late. This removes the need for the customer to stay at home to wait for deliveries, and reduces the number of failed deliveries by couriers and postal service. As a result the number of journeys within the city are reduced. The publicity campaign for this service generated a great deal of interest although take-up has been slow to date.

11. Community Involvement, Awareness and Publicity

11.1 A public relations plan aimed at raising awareness of project initiatives has been developed and implemented. Information is being disseminated through leaflets, posters, website, radio and newspaper advertisements, and press releases. The dissemination strategy has generated a good level of coverage of the Project in the local media, with recent initiatives being reported by several newspapers, radio stations, and on the BBC website.

11.2 MIRACLES has supported Winchester Bike Week and Alternative Transport Day events for the past two years, and has exhibited at various events, including a number of local conferences. Awareness of the project is also raised through regular surveys and consultation exercises.

11.3 A project is also helping to identify which measures can be incorporated into the Winchester Air Quality Action Plan, including gaining community feedback on the effectiveness and acceptability of such measures.

11.4 A pollution forecasting model has been developed for MIRACLES by the national meteorological centre. This will be used to provide forecasts of air quality via the Hantsweb website, and the ROMANSE on-line website, as well as through other media such as radio. It will also highlight the benefits of clean engines and improved air quality. The information will also be transferred to roadside Variable Message Signs, to be introduced by the project.

12. Network Management and Traveller Information

12.1 This work package aims to improve the quality and quantity of traveller information available for all modes, including car travel, to allow users to make informed transport decisions, and improve the conditions of the transport network.

12.2 Network management has been improved through the introduction of a first phase of an Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system. This identifies vehicles entering the city area, and at various points along their journey into and through the city. This information enables journey time data to be calculated in real-time for both public and private transport. Phase I is now operational and providing data, and installation of Phase II, which will provide more sites and therefore more detailed journey time information, has begun.

12.3 Four new electronic information kiosks were installed at various sites around the city at the end of September 2004. These provide public transport, journey planning and local information.

12.4 To further improve public transport information and to assist travellers in making integrated public transport journeys, a new bus departure information system has been installed at the bus station and is due to be installed at the railway station by early October 2004.

12.5 Improved multi-modal traveller information is to be provided in the form of large information displays located at three large employers: the Royal Hampshire County Hospital on Romsey Road, Winchester City Council reception and Hampshire County Council. These are due to be installed in October 2004. They will include real-time information on air quality and bus and train departures, and will be linked to the ANPR system to provide real-time journey information for strategic routes out of the city.

12.6 Four roadside Variable Message Signs will be installed in November 2004, on strategic routes entering the city. These will display air quality and travel information.

13. Clean Fleet and Private Vehicles

13.1 Various measures are being implemented to reduce the level of emissions from the local bus fleet and from Hampshire County Council fleet vehicles. The project also hopes to influence private businesses in their fleet purchasing decisions.

13.2 Working with Stagecoach through the Quality Bus Partnership, 13 new high quality, easy-access low floor buses which have been branded for Services 1 and 5 have been purchased, allowing an increase in frequency of Service 5 to every ten minutes for day-time journeys. Significant increases in patronage of Service 5 have been measured since this was implemented. These buses use state-of-the-art engine technology to deliver improvements in the emissions performance of diesel-fuel buses serving Winchester.

13.3 A programme has been under way since May 2004 to fit new, environmentally friendly engines, exhausts after treatments and particulate traps to mid-life buses operating in the city, to make the emissions as clean as possible. Once complete, this will result in Winchester having one of the cleanest bus fleets in Europe.

13.4 Together with Hampshire Transport Management, the Project is reviewing the cost-effectiveness and operational differences of a range of clean technology vehicles, and will introduce new clean engines as part of the fleet renewal programme. Seven liquid petroleum gas (LPG) powered vehicles and 30 Euro IV diesel cars were introduced in 2003, as part of the County Council's Network Management fleet replacement programme. The Project will monitor the use of the LPG powered vehicles and draw comparisons with the Euro IV diesel vehicles, with the aim of developing a business case to support the implementation of clean vehicles. Winchester City Council currently operates a green fleet, which is predominantly LPG powered.

13.5 Through MIRACLES the County Council joined the Motorvate scheme in March 2004, and benchmarking of selected fleet vehicles is now taking place. Once complete, a programme will be developed by the Motorvate consultants to assist the County Council in reducing CO₂ emissions from the vehicle fleet.

13.6 A Toyota Prius hybrid, Honda Civic hybrid, Volvo S40 LPG/petrol duel fuel, Vauxhall Zafira LPG/petrol duel fuel, and two Citroen Berlingo electric vans have been purchased by the MIRACLES Project. These vehicles are being loaned to local businesses for up to one month, in order to break down barriers and increase exposure to alternative fuel vehicles. Demonstration trials began in December 2003 and by the end of September the vehicles will have been on 25 trials. Feedback from users has been very favourable.

14. Conclusion

14.1 Within the MIRACLES Project the use of technological innovation in conjunction with transport policy, to reduce energy consumption, congestion and noise and air pollution, is an ambitious approach. The implementation of schemes, aimed at achieving the Project objectives of reducing the environmental impact of transport, increasing accessibility to the urban area and improving economic efficiency through better transport management, has been taking place over the past year. The implementation stage of the Project is planned to continue over the next six months. Report on progress will be made in the coming months.

Recommendation

That this report be noted and regular progress reports be presented to future meetings of the Highway and Transport Advisory Panel.

8942/ACW