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University of Warwick

Organisational challenge/context

Warwick’s future strategic development depends on the successful implementation of a sustainable transport strategy and more importantly its Green Travel Plan.

The semi-rural location of the University means that travelling by car is the favoured mode of transport. The Green Travel Plan sought to mitigate the following risks:

• A 40% increase in buildings/staff could lead to a 40% increase in car trips to the campus
• Badly congested road network at peak times particularly Stoneleigh Rd / Gibbet Hill Road
• Large quantity of existing car parking – nearly 5000 spaces generates trips
• Poor sustainable transport profile, with the majority of staff arriving at the campus as a car driver and only 4% as a car passenger
• Poor connectivity between east and west campus across Gibbet Hill Road

Intervention(s)

The Green Travel Plan was produced to reduce the level of car use and develop the use of alternative modes of transport - car sharing, public transport, cycling and walking. Not only was the successful implementation of this Green Travel Plan a formal planning requirement, it also reflected a general strategic desire to promote socially- and environmentally-responsible best practice.

Results/benefits

• With a 40% campus development plan and only a 12% increase permitted for car parking, the reduction in allocating space and capital investment for car parking provides valuable land for buildings and campus development
• The provision of priority parking spaces has meant that the university does not need to introduce financial incentives or car park concessions for car sharers
• Individuals realise personal benefits by sharing transport costs in times of recession and economic decline
• The Cycle to Work Scheme not only directly benefits the employee in terms of reducing the cost of cycle purchase, but also has indirect financial benefits to the University in reduced National Insurance contributions
• It is estimated WarwickShare has to date removed over 200 cars from travelling to campus each day
• The number of journeys registered with WarwickShare amounts to a total of 2,519,748 miles saved
• The number of journeys registered with WarwickShare amounts to a carbon reduction of more 831 tonnes in carbon-related emissions
• The reduction in traffic congestion around campus enables traffic to move more freely and therefore derives some environmental benefit
• Although more difficult to quantify, the increase in bicycle commuters is evidenced by a 20% increase in commuter cyclists passing the Kenilworth Road cycle track counter (en route to the University) and a general increase in cycle parking at the existing 3000+ cycle storage facilities across the campus
• Membership of the scheme has grown rapidly to 425 staff representing almost 10% of the staff population at the University
• Implementing initiatives to reduce traffic congestion on local roads enhances the University’s reputation with the local community and underpins its Corporate Social Responsibility principles.

Company Description
Warwick is one of the UK’s leading universities, with an acknowledged reputation for excellence in research and teaching, for innovation, and for links with business and industry. By 2015 Warwick will be in the top 50 world Universities

Website
www2.warwick.ac.uk

Case Study
View case study