The aim of the TARGET 2 project was to develop, implement and evaluate a package of mobility management activities in order to promote, facilitate and encourage the use of alternative modes of transport to the car.

Spatial development
The TARGET 2 project has demonstrated significant achievements in the implementation of the various activities and shown that these can impact positively on the modal shift in favour of more sustainable transport modes. These will continue beyond the end of the project and many have become incorporated into mainstream activity for the organisations involved in delivering them.

During the three year life of Target 2, a total of 26 activities were successfully implemented through four linked transnational work areas that were throughout the eight partner countries. Different approaches were developed by partners to implement the activities, with each activity designed to target a specific population group for the most appropriate intervention while achieving modal shift. The main project work areas were workplaces, mobility education, transport and leisure and lastly City living.

To give one example in Yorkshire and Humber within Target 2, the local authorities worked together to roll-out travel planning measures to companies. Subsequently a West Yorkshire Travel Plan Network has been established with 94 company members; the TOPS service has extended and now employs 3 full-time staff who supports 150 companies. These services are supported by project’s specific electronic travel survey software, integration with the regional Journey Planner and a nationally available virtual web resource.

Innovative solutions
In Odense, DK software was developed to be in use within schools by school children to determine danger spots throughout their journey to school. This has consequently reduced child related injuries by 75% and reduced accident figures by 18%; these are amounts that correspond to €2.1 million per year. Results from the software application, cross referenced with police accident records, have been incorporated into Planning and Highway road improvement schemes.
Gothenburg used simple ‘thank you days’ encouraged awareness and feel-good factor to participants by the distribution of flowers or sweets.

Mode of cooperation
A significant element in developing the Target 2 activities was through transnational co-operation. The experiences and best practice developed and shared among partners through the Target 2 project, will come to form an integral part of strategies to develop and promote effective and sustainable transport systems in urban and rural areas; this includes also the integration of rural and urban areas. The project supports also the interpretation and adoption of the European Spatial Development Perspective (ESDP) and NorVision in national regional and local planning and implementations.

Long-term achievements and policy shaping
There has been significant change in the way partner organisations have viewed the promotion of sustainable transport. This cultural change and greater openness to new approaches will produce longer term basis for the continued commitment to sustainable transport.

Moreover the project has made good progress in transferring project results to regional and national governments. For example, Lundby Mobility Centre and their mobility management strategies and the promotion and health campaigns in Odense by the UK House of Commons Health Committee. In Brugge the mobility plan has been incorporated at a regional level. Finally travel software developed in South Yorkshire, UK has been adapted by other authorities and phased in across South and West Yorkshire.

Michael Keane
West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (METRO) Wellington House, 40-50 Wellington Street
LS1 2DE Leeds
United Kingdom michael.keane@wypte.gov.uk
www.eu-target.net
Tel: +44 113 2517 203