Tebb – TRAVEL INFORMATION RESEARCH AT TRRL 1979

Description

TRRL’s research into travel information began from problems at public transport interchanges, shifting focus to how information—distinct from publicity—affects use of services. Studies target three travel scales (local, regional, national) and three outcomes: user journey benefits, operator patronage/revenue, and comprehensibility. The Bretton leaflet experiment in rural Yorkshire raised patronage by 13% after four weeks (3–5% at 17 weeks), yielding ~£4,000 extra revenue for a £1,000 cost. A theoretical integrated information system study predicted reductions in pre-journey waiting (16–39%), interchange walking/waiting (8–18%), interchanges (~9%), riding time (~2%) and overall trip time (8–22%), estimating ~£50m annual community benefits and ~£50m extra operator revenue from existing timetables with only 3% user uptake. Current work includes a West Yorkshire regional “Busboekje” trial, urban leaflet tests, a computer-based Town-to-Town Guide pilot in Wiltshire, and studies to improve timetable comprehensibility. The report warns that information alone can drive traffic changes, so its effects must be isolated when evaluating service innovations