Transport
Traffic levels drop whilst bus use grows
Transportation remains an essential part of modern life. Whether it is commuting to work or school, visiting friends or family, or accessing shops and other services, we all travel regularly. Despite small improvements in increasing the use of public transport, which by its nature is a more sustainable mode, car use remains the dominant form of transport in Hertfordshire.
Indicator TR1 - Volume of Motor Traffic
Traffic volume is a good measure of the extent people travel and can indicate levels of pollution being generated. Generally, increased traffic raises noise and air pollution levels which impacts on residents’ quality of lives. In 2008 an average of 30.32 million vehicle kilometres were travelled by vehicles on roads in Hertfordshire on weekdays.
Countywide vehicle kilometres
Source: Hertfordshire County Council Traffic and Transport Data Report 2008
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Volume of motor traffic by district
Source: Hertfordshire County Council Traffic and Transport Data Report 2008
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Indicator TR2 - Modal Split
This measurement shows modes of transport people use from a three year cycle of urban morning peak period counts. It is an indication of trends, rather than a complete picture as rail journeys, off peak journeys and rural areas are not included. Figures for urban centres vary considerably, e.g. the mode share for the car varied from 70% to 90% over the last three years across the county whilst bus use ranged from 4% to 22%.
Indicator TR2 - Modal Split in 2007 and 2008
| Car | Bus | Walk | Cycle | Motorcycle | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 81.4% | 11.8% | 5.4% | 0.8% | 0.6% |
| 2008 | 81.2% | 12.0% | 5.4% | 0.8% | 0.6% |
Source: HCC Traffic and Transport Data Report 2007 & 2008
Indicator TR3 - Mode of Travel to School
The 2009 School Census shows an improvement in sustainable school travel both at primary school age and overall. The county’s Sustainable Modes of Travel Strategy is updated annually and aims to reduce car use to, from, and between schools or colleges, as well as improve accessibility, childrens’ health and the local environment. Action plans were also developed to improve walking and cycling routes and passenger transport services. Designed to promote the use of sustainable transport, they make information easily accessible to families and help schools and colleges develop travel plans whilst encouraging partnership working.
Mode of Travel to School – % of Pupils Travelling Sustainably
| Pupil age | 2008 School census | 2008 School census |
|---|---|---|
| 5 to 10 years | 60.3% | 60.9% |
| 11 to 16 years | 76.7% | 75.7% |
| 5 to 16 years | 67.4% | 67.9% |
Source: Hertfordshire School Census 2009
Walking buses promote sustainable travel to school
School Travel Plans
74% of Hertfordshire schools now have Travel Plans (a total of 434). A travel plan shows a school community’s commitment to promoting safe, healthy and environmentally friendly journeys to/from school.
Initiatives to support school travel planning developed by the county council include:
- Safer Routes to School programme, which has been running since 1996, aims to increase walking and cycling by engineering improvements to street infrastructure. There are currently 22 schools working on active projects
- Walking Buses – There is continued success with walking buses, with Buster the Dinosaur visiting schools to promote new schemes
- In 2009, the county piloted two cycle campaigns aimed separately at boys and girls in two secondary schools. The campaigns known as Cyclone (for boys) and Cyclicious (for girls) use marketing techniques to raise awareness of the benefits of cycling
- Modeshare – The county continues to see an increase in the numbers of pupils travelling sustainably to school; in 2009, 4000 more pupils chose to walk to school
- Awards – 74 schools received the county’s gold award for maintaining an active Travel Plan for three years or more. Awards were also made to schools and school champions for their hard work in sustaining promotional events that increase the levels of walking and cycling. Trotts Hill Primary pupils trekked the equivalent of 3000 miles in the Walk the World Campaign and Oak Tree Nursery set up nature and treasure trails for children on the way to school
Indicator TR4 - Mode of Transport and Average Distance by Journey Purpose
This indicator is measured every three years with the latest data having been published in the 2007 QoL report. The car was the dominant mode for all journeys; with levels varying according to the purpose of journey. Over half of Hertfordshire residents work in the county, whilst a quarter commute to work in London.
NI 178 - Bus services running on time
Bus punctuality is a key outcome of the partnerships between local authorities and bus operators, which together play an important role in delivering better local public transport services. Local authorities can make major contributions to improving bus punctuality by the management of their road networks and giving priority to bus passengers. Improved bus punctuality not only benefits bus passengers but can help attract more travellers to buses and hence reduce road congestion.
Bus services running on time - Average percentage performance for i) buses leaving the terminus on time and ii) arrival at intermediate points on time
Source: Hertfordshire County Council Passenger Transport Unit, January 2010
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NI 178 measures the punctuality of non-frequent bus services both when leaving the terminus and arriving at intermediate points along the route. For 2008/09, over 5,000 checks were made on bus punctuality in Hertfordshire, with performance exceeding the county’s target of 80% throughout the year. Nationwide data is currently unavailable but it is hoped that in the future we can report Hertfordshire’s performance against the national average.
Hertfordshire’s bus services exceed punctuality targets