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Building evidence on how to reduce car use
Why it is important
The Scottish Government aims to reduce the number of car kilometres by 20% by 2030, compared to 2019.
The Scottish Government asked ClimateXChange (CXC) to assess the evidence base on what works to reduce car use, including shifting to a different transport mode and behaviour change.
CXC commissioned a suite of three studies looking into a range of measures that could help reduce car use: the impact of parking policies, how to encourage sustainable travel among under-18s and their families, and the benefits of sustainable travel to local high streets and town centres.
How ClimateXChange supported policymakers
To build strong, practical evidence of what works in reducing car use, the studies looked for long-term and robust evaluations of the impact of interventions, and evaluations that capture a range of benefits across economic, environmental and social factors.
This was challenging because many interventions have not been robustly evaluated, nor have baseline data for such evaluation.
Each project report sets out how robust the evidence is and the strength of the impact evidence.
The project looking at the benefits of sustainable travel to local high streets and town centres also produced a suite of engagement materials for those promoting, campaigning on, designing and delivering sustainable travel measures. The materials can be used when engaging with communities, businesses and local representatives.
They also produced a guide on how to run such engagement processes as part of local planning and development. The materials were based on findings from the study, engagement expertise and tested approaches with potential users.
All three reports set out priority actions and include clear and easy to find recommendations for practical action, making the research relevant and valuable for policymakers in national and local government.
Impact
Findings from the three studies have informed the development of an updated car use reduction route map.
The findings of the study on encouraging sustainable travel behaviour in children and young people in particular, have helped the Scottish Government to plan future work with schools, especially Eco-Schools. Sustainable travel is part of the curriculum of Eco-Schools, which have dedicated sessions on sustainable living and climate mitigation measures – the findings informed the development of these sessions.
“The work on travel behaviour in children and young people was innovative. It has given us the foundation for potential targeted messaging around car use reduction to young people and their families.”
– Bertrand Deiss, Head of Transport Climate Change Strategy & Engagement
Transport Scotland, Scottish Government
The Scottish Government has shared with local authorities the materials produced in engaging with their communities. The study provided them with evidence that interventions to make local streets and town centres more sustainable will bring money to city centres.
Finally, the research into the impact of car parking restrictions can be used in local development plans and local transport strategies to encourage a shift to active travel and public transport.
Taken together, the reports set out a suite of intervention ideas and provide evidence to inform local and national debates on which interventions may be most useful to meet local transport needs.
Related reports
Reducing car use through parking policies: an evidence review
Encouraging sustainable travel in under-18s and their families
The benefits of sustainable travel to local high streets and town centres
Related links
A route map to achieve a 20 per cent reduction in car kilometres by 2030