Open access transport models: A leverage point in sustainable transport planning

Lovelace, Robin; Parkin, John; Cohen, Tom

Abstract

A large and growing body of evidence suggests fundamental changes are needed in transport systems, to tackle issues such as air pollution, physical inactivity and climate change. Transport models can play a major role in tackling these issues through the transport planning process, but they have historically been focussed on motorised modes (especially cars) and available only to professional transport planners working within the existing paradigm. Building on the principles of open access software, first developed in the context of geographic information systems, this paper develops and discusses the concept of open access transport models, which we define as models that are both developed using open source software and are available to be used by the public without the need for specialist training or the purchase of software licences. We explore the future potential of open access transport models to support the transition away from fossil fuels in the transport sector. We do this with reference to the literature on the use of tools in the planning process, and by exploring an example that is already in use: the ‘Propensity to Cycle Tool’. We conclude that open access transport models can be a leverage point in the planning process due to their ability to provide robust, transparent and actionable evidence that is available to a range of stakeholders, not just professional transport planners. Open access transport models represent a disruptive technology deserving further research and development, by planners, researchers and citizen scientists, including open source software developers and advocacy groups but, in order to fulfil their potential, they will require both financial and policy support from government bodies.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jun 26, 2020
• Online Publication Date: Jul 15, 2020
• Publication Date: Oct 1, 2020
• Deposit Date: Jun 17, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 17, 2021
• Journal: Transport Policy
• Print ISSN: 0967-070X
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 97
• Pages: 47-54
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tranpol.2020.06.015
• Keywords: Geography, Planning and Development; Law; Transportation
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/6482243
• Additional Information: This article is maintained by: Elsevier; Article Title: Open access transport models: A leverage point in sustainable transport planning; Journal Title: Transport Policy; CrossRef DOI link to publisher maintained version: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tranpol.2020.06.015; Content Type: article; Copyright: © 2020 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.