University of Sunderland - Travel Plan Final 200510-1

University of Sunderland Travel Plan Update
• Establishment of a new Sustainable Travel Environmental Action Group (EAG); and
• Promotion and profile raising through promotional travel days
Key Survey Findings and Issues
The 2009 staff and student travel to work surveys revealed some varied results. Between 2007 and 2009,
there has been a 0.5 percentage point increase in staff cycling and walking to the University, with student car
users down by 3.9 percentage entage points and students walking to the University increasing by 9 percentage
points. However, there has been a 2.7 percentage point decrease in staff public transport usage and 4.4
percentage point increase in staff car drivers, although the majority of this increase is due to an increase in car
drivers with passengers. It should also be noted that any increases in car use and decreases in public
transport use are representative of regional trends as the Tyne and Wear area has seen increased car use
and decreases ases in public transport usage.
The travel to work survey also revealed that 28.9% of staff car drivers and 26.6% of student car drivers
currently live within 4 miles of the University, which indicates that there are a large proportion of car journey journeys
which could be catered for by sustainable modes or public transport.
The 2009 parking count survey data also confirmed that City Campus car parks are currently over capacity on
most weekdays. Parking conditions are particularly difficult earlier in the week, with City Campus car parks
14% over capacity on Tuesdays.
The parking situation is expected to deteriorate further when the Ashburne Campus closes in 2011, with
Ashburne car drivers transferring to the City Campus. If parking charges at the Univers University remain low
(compared to equivalent higher education institutions) and parking capacity is reduced by 2012, this will result
in City Campus car parks being up to 34% over capacity by 2012.
If the University does not react to the findings from the trave travel l to work and parking count surveys as outlined
above, then the University is likely to encounter the following problems:
• Continued increase in single occupancy car use;
• Increased pressure on City Campus parking with conditions worsening;
• Increased congestion in and around the City Campus; and
• Negative impact on the campus environment and safety
Recommended Solutions
It is essential that staff, students and visitors have the best possible experience of the redeveloped City
Campus. There are a number of solutions which the University can implement to reduce single occupancy car
use and minimise future parking demand. It is therefore recommended that the University increases the cost of
its parking charges in the 2010/11, 2011/12 and 2012/13 academic ye years. ars. There will be a significant increase
for staff mandate holders, with the cost of these permits increasing to £295 per year by 2012/13. The cost of
pay and display and visitor parking rates will also increase. Revenue generated from increasing parking
charges will continue to be invested a wide variety of sustainable travel measures measures, , something which the
University has been extremely successful and proactive in over the last four years.
In addition to implementing increased parking charges, the Universi University ty will also investigate complimentary
solutions which could include:
• Apply a restriction to the total number of parking permits issued to staff and students with permits issued
on a needs basis;
• Investigate the possibility of removing staff annual mand mandate ate permits completely, using only pay and
display parking for both staff and students; and
• Introduce a ‘Cash Out’ scheme, where car drivers could be compensated by the University by giving up
their right to a parking space
5087709/University of Sunderland - Travel Plan Final
200510.docx
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