FEATURE an Intelligent Transport System, which uses technology to help control our roads better across the four districts and get traffic flowing,” says Tim. The Intelligent Transport System is an automated monitoring system which can measure the amount and speed of traffic around the county and updates the information in real-time. “The person on the road may not have seen any major changes because the majority of the work has been behind the scenes, but in the last 12 months, in Sheffield in particular and Doncaster more recently, there are large electronic displays being installed on the road network, similar to those on motorways,” he says. “These are being used to help people get around congested areas – a classic example was on Sheffield Parkway recently it was taking half an hour to get from the centre of Sheffield to the motorway, whereas on the Mosborough Park route it was ten minutes. if we can make people aware of these things it will improve everyone’s journey times.” The scheme is being extended to include mobile and e-mail travel alerts, as Tim explains. “We’ve launched an application that people can download to their mobile phones that will send people alerts when there’s an accident or any other disruption to the road network. We’re also launching a
We’re realistic about things – we don’t expect people to give up their cars – but the answer can be as simple as leaving the car at home for just one journey in ten, that’s all it takes.
that have been shuttled about in cars all their life, and the smile on their faces when they get on a bus is a joy. As well as thinking about carbon footprints, it’s giving them the skills they need to negotiate their own way around in later life. The feedback we’re getting from people is very positive – they’ve realised they don’t always need to take the car.” So next time you reach for your keys, why not try another way of reaching your destination and join the growing number of people who have realised that the car isn’t always the answer? To request your own personal journey planner and find out more about how you can travel sustainably, visit travelsouthyorkshire.co.uk or call Traveline on 01709 515151. *Department for Transport, Transport Statistics Great Britain, 2008 edition
website where people can register their journey and we can alert you by e-mail or text if there are likely to be any delays.” With the huge amount of information available to help us plan our journeys more effectively, can we really justify picking up the car keys without thinking? Debbie Owen thinks not. “If you can give people a realistic, reliable alternative to the car it makes a huge difference, and it’s also very rewarding,” she says. “We work with children
On the bus? On the train? On your bike! Cycling around South Yorkshire is easy, cheap, healthy and fun! Travel South Yorkshire provides a number of ways to use your bicycle in conjunction with public transport: • Free bicycle parking across South Yorkshire • Free bicycle carriage on all trains in South Yorkshire • Bicycle carriage on selected bus services
Traveline 01709 51 51 51 travelsouthyorkshire.com
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Spring 2009