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PA5: Plus research

The Plus research in FUTURES consists of four activities each of which is briefly summarised below. All activities operate in the common framework of People, Systems and Vehicles. Cross-fertilisation between the activities is enabled through PA3. Each plus research activity begins with developing fundamental understanding, translates this into options and opportunities and then pursues priorities within these through developing (and evaluating) practical demonstrators and applications.

PA5a - Traveller information services: assessing barriers to their use
Technology continues to enhance access to and the sophistication of information services, but there are many barriers to their use. This activity will identify, understand, prioritise and address these barriers to encourage greater use of information services so that both people and the urban environment benefit from the better informed travel choices.
For more information on this activity click here (MSWord, 146Kb)

PA5b - Teleworking - trends in and causes of location independent working
This activity will gather robust empirical qualitative and quantitative evidence over time to highlight trends and factors influencing uptake in teleworking and to assess the extent to which transport policy can influence or positively exploit location independent working.
For more information on this activity click here (MSWord, 39Kb)
To read an article about the research which appeared in The Guardian click here.

PA5c - Innovative uses of roadspace
It is widely recognised that urban roadspace is not always best used by giving priority to motorised vehicles. This activity will explore how the use of roadspace may be prioritised, using new technology, to support sustainability objectives.
For more information on this activity click here (MSWord, 1.5Mb)

PA5d - Impacts of new technology on urban traffic management
New vehicle technologies can enable radical new approaches to traffic management with improvements in capacity, safety and efficiency. This activity will explore how these technologies will develop for use in urban environments, and how traffic management technologies may be changed to make best use of opportunities.
For more information on this activity click here (MSWord, 94Kb)