Understanding the importance of the link between good public transport provision and walking in urban areas.

There is evidence that a substantial proportion of walk trips in urban areas take place at each end of other main mode trips (for example walking to the bus stop) and these are often ‘hidden’ if the data collection method does not distinguish each trip stage. Whilst there are often walk stages at the start and end of car trips and sometimes cycle trips, the largest number (and greatest distance) are associated with public transport. Hence, public transport is a generator of walk stages and good well-used public transport systems can be shown to contribute to walking levels and encourage more active and healthy transport.

This research project would explore this relationship in more detail across a number of case study urban areas and also seek to explore how variable the information on walking is across different places. It would seek to understand if there are constraints or limits to the amount of walking associated with public transport trips and therefore if there are implications for ideal city form/design and public transport coverage/type topromote healthier transport options.

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