RAIL PARK AND RIDE USERS

The West Midlands is the largest conurbation in the UK outside London, with a population of over 2.5 million people. Centro (West Midlands Passenger Transport Executive) provides free parking for approximately 3,500 cars at 32 local rail stations within the region and has strategic aspirations for a considerable growth in the provision and use of park and ride facilities in its proposals to reduce highway congestion and support and develop public transport systems. However, very little was known about the people who use the facilities, where they come from and what influences their decisions to park and ride. In 1992 Centro undertook a detailed survey of existing park and ride users aimed at producing information which would be of use in the planning and evaluation of future sites. A self-completion post-back questionnaire was given to park and ride users and included questions designed to find out their main motive for using the facility and what their likely alternative response might be. The surveys also determined 'users' origins, from which the distances driven to the stations were calculated. These can be used in forecasting by determining and assessing the catchment areas of new sites. The results of the user surveys will also be compared to surveys of car commuters arriving at Birmingham City Centre public car parks in the peak. Conclusions relating to the scope and nature of future park and ride and the development of the West Midlands Proposals will be discussed. (A) For the covering abstract see IRRD 863439.

Language

  • English

Media Info

  • Features: References;
  • Pagination: p. 323-34

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00662307
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
  • ISBN: 0-86050-257-0
  • Files: ITRD, ATRI
  • Created Date: Jul 28 1994 12:00AM