Scottish Transport Studies Group Current Research

Current Research

This section lists Scottish transport research which has been announced, but for which no results have been published. Links are provided to the relevant edition of Scottish Transport Review. These documents are in PDF format which may be viewed with free Adobe Reader software.

Accessibility Planning

Accessibility - Scottish Household Survey Topic Report

Issue: 27 (PDF)
Lead researchers: TRi Napier University, DHC, MORI, University of Strathclyde, Robert Gordon University
Due to be completed: March 2005

Transport Direct - Accessibility Information

Issue: 28 (PDF)
Lead researchers: Atkins
Client: Scottish Executive
Summary: This research is looking at the provision of information for disabled people through Travelling and Transport Direct.
Due to be completed: March 2005

Area Studies

Forth Crossings Study

Issue: 24 (PDF)
Lead researchers: FaberMaunsell
Client: Forth Estuary Transport Authority
Summary: Research will study options or new Forth crossings.

Forth Crossings Study

Issue: 24 (PDF)
Lead researchers: SIAS
Partner researchers: WSP
Client: Forth Estuary Transport Authority
Summary: Prepare Local Transport Strategy for the Queensferry crossing and related areas.

Inverness Transport Vision

Issue: 24 (PDF)
Lead researchers: Atkins
Client: Inverness and Nairn Enterprise and Highland Council
Summary: The research will look ahead from 2006 to 2031 and suggest innovative and achievable transport solutions, covering all modes, for Inverness and its hinterland.
Further information: http://www.hie.co.uk/ine/welcome.asp.LocID-newacw.SiteID-1.News-ine.htm

SESTRAN Integrated Transport Corridor Study

Issue: 25 (PDF)
Lead researchers: MVA, Scott Wilson, David Simmonds

Bus

Bus Passenger Satisfaction Surveys 2003-2005

Issue: 24 (PDF)
Lead researchers: Colin Buchannan and Partners
Client: Scottish Executive
Summary: 2004 survey measuring passenger satisfaction levels among bus users is currently under way.

Community Transport

Issue: 23 (PDF)
Lead researchers: TAS
Partner researchers: DHC
Client: HIE

Community Transport in Loch Lomond and the Trossaches National Park

Issue: 26 (PDF)
Lead researchers: DHC
Summary: This project for the Park authority will examine the travel needs of the residents in the area with a view to identifying ways that needs can be met.
Contact: Alex Hilliam
Further information: http://www.dhc1.co.uk/

Evaluation of the impact of extending BSOG

Issue: 26 (PDF)
Lead researchers: DHC
Partner researchers: TAS Partnership
Client: Community Transport in Scotland
Summary: This project will extend work already underway in England to identify awareness benefits and practice in relation to the extended availability of Bus Service Operators Grant.
Contact: Alex Hilliam
Further information: http://www.dhc1.co.uk/

Using Community Transport to reduce Social Exclusion

Issue: 25 (PDF)
Lead researchers: DHC
Partner researchers: Other
Client: DfT
Summary: Investigation into how the community transport sector could take forward the social inclusion agenda, including Scotland.
Contact: Alex Hilliam
Further information: http://www.dhc1.co.uk/

Cycling and Walking

Survey of Cycling in Scotland

Issue: 30 (PDF)
Lead researchers: TNS
Client: Scottish Executive
Summary: This project aims to collect up to date information on cycling in Scotland. In 1997 and 2001 cycling surveys were carried out in order to gauge the extent of cycling in Scotland, and to establish attitudes to cycling as a leisure pursuit and a transport mode. This research will employ a similar methodology to the two previous surveys.
Due to be completed: October 2005

Value of Cycling

Issue: 23 (PDF)
Lead researchers: DHC
Client: Highland Cycle Forum

Watching Walkers

Issue: 30 (PDF)
Lead researchers: Professor John Kerridge (TRi Napier University)
Partner researchers: Irisys
Client: EPSRC
Summary: Aims to further the development of the Pedestrian Flow Calculation System. This will be involve creating a presentation environment comprising five display banners and a plasma screen to show pedestrian trajectories as people walk under two infra red sensors mounted above the display area. The primary aim of the presentation will be to get people to interact with the sensor system and associated display so that their interest is aroused.
Due to be completed: October 2006

Demand Responsive Transport

Demand Responsive Travel

Issue: 23 (PDF)
Lead researchers: TAS
Partner researchers: DHC
Client: HIE

Review of Demand Responsive Transport

Issue: 26 (PDF)
Lead researchers: DHC
Partner researchers: TAS Partnership
Client: Scottish Executive
Summary: This project seeks to support the development of DRT schemes through research on several pilot projects and reviews of best practice.
Due to be completed: 2005
Contact: Alex Hilliam
Further information: http://www.dhc1.co.uk/projects/drt_review.html

Disability

Assessing Improved Transport for the Disabled

Issue: 28 (PDF)
Lead researchers: TNS Global Research
Partner researchers: TTR Consultancy G, Tom Rye TRi (Napier University)
Client: Scottish Executive
Summary: This project will be researching potential improvements for public transport for disabled people in relation into accessibility, availability, infrastructure, information and the improved targeting of funding.
Due to be completed: January 2006

Highways

European Ramp Metering (EURAMP)

Issue: 24 (PDF)
Lead researchers: TRi Napier University
Partner researchers: FP6 EURAMP Consortium
Summary: The objective of the project is to advance, promote and harmonise ramp metering control measures in European motorways, to improve safety and increase the efficiency of traffic flow.
Due to be completed: 2007
Contact: Christine Bielefeldt and Helen Condie

Land-use Planning

Transport Assessment of Developments in East Edinburgh

Issue: 25 (PDF)
Lead researchers: CBP
Client: City of Edinburgh Council

Use of CEC Land-use Transport Interaction Model

Issue: 25 (PDF)
Lead researchers: David Connely MVA
Summary: Provide modelling inputs for Edinburgh area studies.

Maritime

Charging and Financing of EU Seaports

Issue: 28 (PDF)
Lead researchers: Institute of Logistics Bremen
Partner researchers: Maritime Research Group Tri Napier University
Client: European Commission DG TREN
Summary: Responsible for UK major ports survey which aims to establish the extent of cost recovery in seaports and how ports are financed.
Due to be completed: November 2005

Highlands and Islands Short Sea Shipping Scenarios study

Issue: 25 (PDF)
Lead researchers: PRB Associates
Due to be completed: December 2005

Northern Maritime Corridor Project

Issue: 25 (PDF)
Lead researchers: HIE
Partner researchers: TRi Maritime Research Group
Client: EC

The European Ferry Market

Issue: 25 (PDF)
Lead researchers: TRi Napier University Maritime Research Group
Client: Scottish Enterprise
Summary: Study of opportunities for new direct ferries to Scotland.
Contact: Alf Baird

Policy

SUTRANET

Issue: 28 (PDF)
Lead researchers: Aalborg University Denmark
Partner researchers: Maritime Research Group TRi Napier University
Client: European Commission Interreg IIIB Programme

Public Transport

Aberdeenshire Park and Ride

Issue: 30 (PDF)
Lead researchers: University of Aberdeen
Partner researchers: DHC
Client: Aberdeenshire Council
Summary: An evaluation of Ellon Park and Ride scheme is to be carried out. Ellon Park and Ride scheme is unusual as it is a 'long range' Park and Ride scheme which serves the area north of Aberdeen. The work will review scheme history and policy background. It will use monitoring data and user surveys to evaluate the scheme's outcomes before making suggestions for future development.
Due to be completed: October 2005
Contact: Derek Halden
Further information: http://www.dhc1.co.uk/

Croy Park and Ride

Issue: 24 (PDF)
Lead researchers: Babtie
Client: SPT
Summary: Study potential for further development of Croy station for Park and Ride.
Contact: Robert Duff

Glasgow Light Transit

Issue: 28 (PDF)
Lead researchers: Halcrow
Client: Glasgow City Council
Summary: Halcrow has been awarded £800,000 by Glasgow City Council to work on light rapid transit plans for the Clyde Waterfront involving early bus improvements and conversion to trams by 2009.
Due to be completed: 2009

Haymarket Hub

Issue: 28 (PDF)
Lead researchers: Edinburgh City Council
Client: Scottish Executive
Summary: Edinburgh City Council has gained £750,000 from the Scottish Executive to study options for a major upgrade of the Edinburgh Haymarket Interchange.
Further information: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2005/01/21091432/Q/Zoom/125

Interchange Improvements at Hamilton Central Station

Issue: 23 (PDF)
Lead researchers: Atkins
Client: SPT

Real Time Information

Issue: 28 (PDF)
Lead researchers: JMP Consulting
Client: HITRANS
Summary: Pilot two real time passenger information systems in rural areas. Personal mobile radio will be trialled east of Inverness while General Packet Radion will be tested between Glasgow and Campbeltown.
Further information: http://www.jmp.co.uk/jan_news2.htm

Real Time Information 2003-2005

Issue: 24 (PDF)
Lead researchers: David McGuigan, Colin Buchanan and Partners
Client: City of Edinburgh Council and the Scottish Executive
Summary: Research will be carried out into public attitudes and bus operations with a focus on identifying the impact of the introduction of real time bus information on a quality bus corridor in Edinburgh.

Significant Unmet Demand Study

Issue: 30 (PDF)
Lead researchers: James Cooper (on behalf of TRi Napier University)
Client: Glasgow Taxis
Summary: Investigation for the presence of Significant Unmet Demand (SUD) for taxi services in the City of Glasgow. The proposed work sets out to measure the presence of the SUD using the observation of waiting times as the principle methodology. The aim of this study is to set taxi standards that suggest an optimum service level to provide the best possible opportunities to customers, at the same time as ensuring continuing and long term development of the taxi industry.
Due to be completed: June 2005

Taxi Market Regulation

Issue: 23 (PDF)
Lead researchers: Tri Napier University
Client: SCOTECON
Summary: Investigation in to taxi market regulation, industry employment and the identification of data toward informed policy.

Traveline Scotland

Issue: 26 (PDF)
Summary: Traveline Scotland is now piloting interactive bus information by mobile phone in Fife and Dumfries and Galloway. Edinburgh and Dundee will be added later this year with full Scottish coverage by the end of 2005. Users text their bus stop code and receive a repay giving the rime and destination of the next service. Information on late running became available in August. The system was developed by Journey Plan of Dunfermline.

Rail

Airdrie Bathgate Railway

Issue: 23 (PDF)
Lead researchers: Babtie
Client: West Lothian Council
Summary: Investigation into the engineering aspects of reopening the Airdrie-Bathgate Railway line.

Edinburgh Airport Rail Link

Issue: 25 (PDF)
Lead researchers: Scott Wilson
Partner researchers: Halcrow
Client: TIE
Summary: Detailed design preparation for a Scottish Parliament bill during 2005.

Glasgow Airport Rail Link

Issue: 25 (PDF)
Lead researchers: FaberMaunsell
Client: SPT
Summary: This project will develop a detailed design in preparation of a bill introduced to the Socttish Parliament in Spring 2005.

Rail Transport Across Europe

Issue: 28 (PDF)
Lead researchers: ISDEFE
Partner researchers: Deutschen Zentrum fur Luft of Berlin, Demis of the Netherlands, Tri
Client: EC Framework 6
Summary: Developing new shipping routes for shifting freight off roads.

Range and Scale of Benefits brought by the rail network

Issue: 23 (PDF)
Lead researchers: Steer Davies Gleave
Client: HIE

Rolling Stock for Regional Services

Issue: 27 (PDF)
Lead researchers: AEA Technology Rail
Client: Acorp
Summary: Aims to look at future options for rolling stock and regional services including diesel light rail or tram trains.

Road Pricing

Evaluation of People's Attitudes towards Edinburgh's proposed Road User Charging Scheme

Issue: 30 (PDF)
Lead researchers: MORI
Summary: Aims to understand what influenced people's attitudes towards Edinburgh's recent road user charging scheme.

Road Safety

Casualty Rates: Narrowing the Range

Issue: 27 (PDF)
Lead researchers: Colin Buchannan and Partners
Client: Scottish Executive
Summary: Whilst at the national level the number of casualties in road accidents has fallen in line with the target, there is a wide variation in the performance of individual local authorities. This research from 2004-2005 seeks to find out why there is this large variation in casualty reductions and to highlight good practice in the administration of road safety within local authorities and to identify transferable lessons that can be applied across the country. To obtain the necessary information, a survey of all councils in Scotland is being carried out and this will be followed up with a number of representative case studies to allow for a more detailed appraisal of current practice.

Effectiveness of Road Policing

Issue: 30 (PDF)
Lead researchers: TRi Napier University (Robert Raeside, Phil Darby, Derek Barker)
Client: DfT
Summary: Construct a database that will allow the determination of links between motoring offences, police enforcement and road casualty and accident data.
Due to be completed: October 2005

Effects of Speed Cameras on Safety and Efficiency

Issue: 23 (PDF)
Lead researchers: Tri Napier University
Client: Glasgow Police, Glasgow City Council, Glasgow District Council

Illicit Drugs and Driving

Issue: 28 (PDF)
Lead researchers: MORI Scotland
Partner researchers: Glasgow University and Steve Straddling (TRi Napier University)
Client: Scottish Executive
Summary: This project aims to estimate the prevalence of driving under the influence of illicit drugs, identify the social context for this kind of drugged driving and make recommendations on the most appropriate road safety mesas ages.
Due to be completed: November 2005

Risk and Motorcyclists

Issue: 30 (PDF)
Lead researchers: TRL
Client: Scottish Executive
Summary: Investigation of Risk Assessment and attitudes towards risk taking amongst different groups of motorcyclists in Scotland. The research will lead to a more effective targeting of road safety information.
Due to be completed: October 2005

Transport and Economy

Devolution of Transport to Employment

Issue: 30 (PDF)
Lead researchers: TRi
Client: Highland Council, Scottish Executive
Summary: EMIRES has developed a web based tool for interrogating job vacancy information from the national Jobcentre Plus database and finding new information on how the user can access the job location using Public Transport. The work will include the practical application, supply of transport service to business and services in East Sutherland.
Due to be completed: October 2006

EMIRES - Economic Growth and Sustainability Mobility

Issue: 25 (PDF)

Implications of E-working and other ICTs on Travel Demand

Issue: 28 (PDF)
Lead researchers: DHC
Client: Scottish Executive
Summary: Examination of how trends in ICT can be expected to affect travel demand in Scotland.
Due to be completed: April 2005
Contact: Derek Halden
Further information: http://www.dhc1.co.uk/

Transport Appraisal

Dumfries Transport Links to Motorway Network STAG Appraisal

Issue: 30 (PDF)
Lead researchers: MVA
Partner researchers: Iron Side Farrar, David Simmonds Consultancy
Client: Dumfries and Galloway Council
Summary: Preparation of a STAG Appraisal for potential new road links between Dumfries and the M74. The project will look to improve journey time reliability for business traffic to Northern Ireland and the attractiveness of Dumfries and Galloway for tourists.
Due to be completed: March 2006

Ongoing Development of Transport Model for Scotland

Issue: 25 (PDF)
Lead researchers: David Simmonds
Partner researchers: MVA

Travel Behaviour

Modal Shift-Scottish Household Survey Topic Report

Issue: 28 (PDF)
Lead researchers: MVA
Client: Scottish Executive
Summary: Aims to review travel patterns in Scotland and understand the factors affecting the potential for Modal Shift.

Stepchange

Issue: 26 (PDF)
Lead researchers: Colin Pyle (Scottish Institute of Sustainable Technology at Heriot-Watt University)
Client: Scottish Executive
Summary: 10,000 people in Milingavie, Bearsden, East Kilbride and Aberdeen to record miles travelled by car with a view to identifying opportunities shift public transport, walking and cycling. It follows a similar project in Paisley, Bishopbriggs and Aberdeen last year with inconclusive results.

Travel Plans

Travel Planning in Scotland

Issue: 27 (PDF)
Lead researchers: Halcrow
Client: Scottish Executive
Summary: This 6 month project will map Green Travel Plans across Scotland, identify barriers and solutions, produce detailed examples of good practice in private and public organisations and make recommendations on how green travel planning might be better supported by a range of stakeholders.

Youth Transport

Effectiveness of School Travel Co-ordinator Initiative

Issue: 28 (PDF)
Lead researchers: DHC
Client: Scottish Executive
Summary: School travel co-ordinators were funded in local authorities to encourage a more integrated approach to school travel. This project is looking at the progress that has been made in the first two years of the initiative with a view to making recommendations for best practice.
Due to be completed: June 2005
Contact: Derek Halden
Further information: http://www.dhc1.co.uk/projects/school_travel_coordinator.html