Choose specialists to implement sustainable travel solutions

What are sustainable travel solutions?

Sustainable travel solutions are strategies, programmes, and infrastructure improvements that promote environmentally friendly, safe, and healthy travel options. For education settings, these solutions should deal with the travel options for your learners, staff, and wider community.

The aim is to reduce reliance on private vehicles, lower carbon emissions, and create safer, more accessible ways to travel to and from your setting.

Why use a specialist?

Specialist service providers can tailor sustainable travel solutions with impactful results. They offer expertise in sustainable travel and will typically have experience in how to address different learners’ needs and age groups, from early years to higher education. Bringing in a professional can make it easier to meet sustainability goals without straining internal resources.

Specialists will be able to:

gather data on travel patterns and emissions in order to design targeted strategies
provide support in applying for funding opportunities
build partnerships to support infrastructure improvements like safe walking paths and bike storage
help encourage behavioural change by educating learners, parents, and staff to foster long-term sustainable practices
ensure compliance with environmental regulations

Organisations that can provide this service

There are several types of organisations that can help with sustainable travel solutions.

Electric vehicle (EV) charging providers

Services: These providers install EV charging stations for staff, visitors, and potentially for parents, encouraging the use of electric vehicles over petrol or diesel cars.

Benefits: Installing EV chargers supports the transition to low-emission vehicles, helping to reduce carbon emissions associated with travel to and from the setting. This not only benefits air quality but also demonstrates commitment to sustainability, which can inspire learners and their families.

Cycle training providers

Services: Organisations such as the Bikeability Trust offer cycling skills and road safety training tailored to different age groups, ensuring learners are confident and safe when cycling to your setting.

Benefits: By equipping learners with safety skills, these providers make cycling a more appealing and safer option. This approach supports active travel by encouraging confidence among both learners and their families in using bicycles as a main form of transport.

Active travel specialists

Services: These companies focus on promoting walking, cycling, and scootering by providing infrastructure such as cycle racks, scooter parks, and safe pathways. They may also offer safety training, like Bikeability courses, and support setting up walking buses.

Benefits: Active travel options reduce congestion around the setting and promote physical health and wellbeing among learners. Walking and cycling also reduce reliance on cars, leading to lower emissions, while helping to build lifelong sustainable travel habits.

Public transport services

Services: Providers can help set up shuttle bus services or coordinate public transport routes that cater to settings, often working with local councils or transport authorities.

Benefits: Coordinated bus or shuttle services decrease the number of cars around the setting, cutting down on emissions and traffic congestion. These services are convenient for families and reduce the overall carbon footprint of daily commutes.

Local traffic management providers

Services: Traffic management companies design and implement schemes that restrict car access near setting entrances during peak times. They may also provide road signage, barriers, or designated drop-off zones.

Benefits: By reducing vehicle access near the setting, these schemes enhance safety, reduce air pollution, and create a calmer, more pleasant environment for learners. They encourage walking and cycling as safer, viable alternatives for travel to your setting.

Sustainable travel planning consultants

Services: These consultants use data analytics to assess current travel patterns, establish baselines, and set achievable sustainability goals. They help settings create comprehensive travel plans and track progress.

Benefits: Data-driven insights will help to understand your setting’s specific travel challenges and areas for improvement. This tailored approach results in more effective and targeted sustainable travel initiatives, potentially leading to greater long-term success and measurable impact.

Local councils

Many councils offer support or funding for travel plans, providing connections to public transport schemes, walking groups, and cycle safety training. Councils have a duty to promote the use of sustainable travel on journeys to and from places of education in their area.

What to look for in a specialist

When choosing a professional service provider to implement sustainable travel solutions for a school, consider the following criteria.

Essentials

Relevant experience: look for a proven record in sustainable travel for education settings, understanding the unique challenges and needs of their staff, learners and environment.
Accreditation and chartership: look for providers with relevant professional accreditations. This will vary depending on the type of provider required, but look for up to date training certifications and active chartership with recognised bodies.
Regulatory compliance: proven ability to comply with regulations, including traffic safety standards, and health and safety requirements specific to education settings.
Case studies and testimonials: look for providers that can provide examples of work that they have undertaken successfully in other settings with feedback being able to be provided upon request.
Data driven: specialists should use data to inform their process, and be able to evidence the benefits of any sustainable travel solutions you want to implement.
Local knowledge: familiarity with local transport options, local authority and council resources to access available support.
Age specific requirements: specialists should be able to tailor solutions to suit your setting's unique characteristics, such as age groups, ensuring safety, practicality and engagement for all learners.
Safety and accessibility: safety expertise specific to education settings is critical, especially in designing safe routes, managing traffic at peak times, and providing accessible solutions.
Budget: providers should offer competitive, affordable options suitable for settings’ budgets, with advice on accessing relevant grants or subsidies.

Nice to haves

Behavioural change: experience in fostering behaviour through engaging learners, staff, and families, encouraging long-term sustainable travel habits through incentives and community involvement.
Grant and funding assistance: experience in securing grants or subsidies for settings can help reduce project costs.
Educational programmes: offering workshops or educational materials on sustainable travel can support awareness and involvement at all levels within the setting for staff and learners.
Innovative technology and tools: providers who use apps, digital platforms, or other tools for tracking progress and engaging participants may offer added convenience and visibility to the programme’s impact.