New GeoVation Challenge – How can we improve transport in Britain
GeoVation today launches it’s second challenge for 2010 “How can we improve transport in Britain?” We all travel and we are all transport users. Travel and transport are key to businesses and central to our way of life. But many aspects of transportation clearly have significant environmental, social and economic impacts. As users, what innovative ideas, using geographic information and other technology, can we suggest that helps reduce those impacts, changes our behaviour, and improves the overall experience? – that’s the GeoVation Challenge!
Bumper to bumper. Photo by Lynac via Flikr
The GeoVation Challenge is funded by Ordnance Survey and IdeasInTranit.org through the Technology Strategy Board. The project aims to promote the understanding, awareness and development of user innovations relevant to transport.
This GeoVation challenge is also supported by Business in the Community, which works with business to build a sustainable future for people and planet, and The National Business Travel Network promoting sustainable travel plans.
The GeoVation Challenge is running from now until 12noon on 11 February 2011.
So whether you walk, pedal, drive or fly get posting your great ideas on how we can improve transport in Britain.
Challenge 2010-11, How can we improve transport in Britain?
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GeoVation, How can we improve transport in Britain?, transport
Themocracy
I’m just an amateur but I’d say the most effective way to improve all means of transportation is to reduce the amount of it. “There’s nothing wrong with the London tube apart from the fact that it’s packed.” – So, can the ideas include strategies to reduce the need for transportation as well (using geographic information and other technology, of course)?
Hi Tommi. Yes, if you have an idea, using geographical information, that would help reduce the need to use transportation and improve people’s experience then please post it on the Challenge forum http://www.geovation.org.uk/challenge/
There’s a simple answer PTW’s (Powered Two Wheel) better known as motorcycles. Press all local authorities to open their bus lanes to bikes, provide free parking with lock up anchor points, exclude bikes from areas where cars are banned. Motorcycles have a lower economic debt from manufacture, better value from road space used than cars with one driver, lower running costs and more. They are also far more fun!
About 90% of visitors to National Parks come by car – co-ordinated and well communicated timetables for bus/ boat/ rail would help to promote public transport as an alternative. An oyster card prototype which can be loaded up for unlimited bus and boat travel is being trialed in the Lake District – this should be rolled out to all National Parks. Innovative approaches such as school buses acting as a minibus hail and ride for a flat fee, outside of school runs and at weekends, should be explored. There should be more racks for bikes on trains. We could go on…
Efforts should be made to coordinate community transport schemes. For example a bus service that would service multiple local sports clubs during the evenings and weekends (a service which most clubs on their own would be unlikely to be able to afford). This would increase participation in sports clubs, increase community integration and participation and also be aligned with public health strategies such as reducing child obesity through participation in sport. The service would be for local people who are unable to access public transport.
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