Introduction to monitoring
Monitoring helps to understand how active places are working after they have been built. Monitoring may be required as part of a condition attached to a planning permission. It provides the evidence needed to assess the impacts from active travel schemes and whether modal shift targets are being met.
Monitoring can have different purposes, for instance:
- to trial new active travel schemes
- to understand the use of active travel routes
- to measure air quality
Travel Plans
Travel Plans should identify the specific required outcomes, targets, and measures, and set out clear future monitoring and management arrangements. Travel Plans should set explicit outcomes rather than just identify processes to be followed and address all journeys resulting from a proposed development.
Cycle parking
Monitoring of cycle parking can also be used to inform decisions about how much cycle parking to provide in new developments and where additional capacity is required at existing sites. This can include surveys of the number of cycles parked in certain locations.
Traffic level monitoring
Monitoring can also include measuring traffic levels to understand the use and benefits of an active travel scheme. For instance, a network of counters recording levels of active travel is useful to better understand usage and wider impacts to the local transport network. Consultation boards with QR codes to surveys and information can be effective for engaging local residents.
Sensors and monitors for microclimatology (air quality, wind, precipitation etc.) can be support understanding of usage of the local transport network.
Trials of active travel measures can be used to engage communities and help to inform a future scheme, by monitoring impacts and make adjustments if needed.
