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Overcoming the challenges from the rapid emergence of low traffic environments Glenn Higgs Urban Design London July 2019

Air quality and mode s hift are the twin drivers in creating low traffic environments

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P otential to dramatically trans form the liveability of our s treets and spaces by reducing traffic and thereby improving air quality … but also encourage more active travel and social activity which leads to improvements in health and wellbeing

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• O vercoming fear of change from innovation and traffic impacts

• Not fully unders tand the context and conditions for which they are suited: what type of scheme to use and where?

• L ack of appreciation regarding who benefits from these measures , by how much and at what cos t to other road users

• If and how can these schemes be used together? S ome are complementary, others conflicting or may subsume one another

• Increase confus ion regarding the functionality and legibility of s treets

• R isk that will elicit unwarranted criticism which may compromise their future

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Rapid emergence of low traffic environments

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The scale of change

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L ow E mis s ion Neig hbourhoods

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Mini-Hollands

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L iveable Neig hbourhoods

£13m £90m £86m

‘Reimagine’

Impact on journeys from Low Traffic Environments: 2025 S c heme E uro 6

van E V c ar

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4. T imed res triction: a ll vehicles

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6. T imed res triction: a ll vehicles

5. T imed res triction: buses only

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9. No through traffic

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Overcoming the challenges

Overcoming the challenges

F ear of change

What type of scheme and

where?

Who benefits and at what cos t?

If and how can

these schemes be used together?

C onfus ion regarding

functionality and legibility

Challenges

C hoose the right area and set clear

success criteria

S trong leadership and championing

Use the right

res triction approach

Q uantify the needs

and impacts

Take a holis tic

approach to improvement

E ffective

communication is key

Trial where

poss ible

Identify mitigating and supporting

measures

C ons ider as part of

a s trategic plan

Response

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Choosing the right area: setting clear criteria

• How high is the expos ure? – what is the level of pedes trian and/or cyclis t activity in s treets and public s paces ?

• D o pedes trian/cycle peaks coincide with traffic peaks ? • How prominent are the mos t polluting vehicles (vans and

lorries )? • What other objectives aiming to achieve? e.g. – improved

road s afety, better public realm, activating s treets , s ocial cohes ion

• Is it tes ting the concept for a wider roll-out?

S horeditch UL E V-only S treets (part of C ity F ringe L ow E miss ion Neighbourhood)

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Taking a holistic approach to improvements • Air quality and mode s hift targets are providing the catalys t

to achieve multiple objectives : maximis e by holis tic approach

• Wider benefits underreported and often overlooked • C omplimentary meas ures provide more tangible

improvements • B enefits continue after air quality reached acceptable levels

UL E V S treets : C ity F ringe L ow E miss ion Neighbourhood – R ivington S treet public realm improvements

L ow Traffic Neighbourhoods : Waltham F ores t Mini-Holland - public realm and greening improvements

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Effective communication is key • E arly, inclus ive and informal communication is vital

• New approach so more need to get buy-in • C onnect with s ilent majority • Acknowledge impacts & explain benefits can relate to • Make use of exis ting channels of communication

• Unders tand what is realis tic and politically acceptable • Maintain cons tant dialogue: s ens itive to needs and views

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Trial where possible

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Consider in context of a strategic plan • No s ingle way to improve trans port-related air quality or

create people friendly environments - potential mis s ed opportunity

• S trategic planning needed to make incremental improvements

C ity of L ondon Transport S trategy Mayor’s Transport S trategy

L ondon E nvironment S trategy

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Overcoming the challenges from the rapid emergence of low traffic environments Glenn Higgs [email protected]