Safe walking routes research project gets underway

Through the Transport Research and Innovation Grants (TRIG), Passenger has been awarded funding to complete a research project studying safe walking routes.

The programme helps to fund innovative research projects and develop new technologies to improve the UK’s transport systems. It is funded by the Department for Transport and run by Connected Places Catapult.

Walking routes at the start and end of bus journeys haven’t been widely studied from the perspective of user safety. The funded project seeks to build on an initial feasibility study to understand the expectations of users, and to assess whether it is possible to meet these needs. It aims to improve journey planning information available to vulnerable travellers, in novel ways.

“We’re delighted that Passenger is one of 67 projects awarded funding to help improve the UK’s transport systems. With this research, we’re aiming to further our collective understanding of what feels safe in the context of planning a journey using public transport, and specifically, the walking elements at the start and end of a journey. Research is always the first step in understanding user needs. It is even more important in a complex area like this, where perceptions of safety will be different for a range of users”, comments Tom Quay, CEO at Passenger.

The research will be published so that practical advice on journey planners providing alternative or safe routes for users can be developed. The project also aims to support companies that develop and maintain journey planning software to review the study and adopt the guidance as recognised industry best practice.

Passenger will be conducting interviews with subject matter experts and working closely with its bus operator customer base to develop the research. If you would like to contribute or find out more, please get in touch.