Recommendations

Figure from page 123

10. Recommendations

The Strategy is not a prescriptive set of top-down actions. It is clear from the deliberations of the expert sub-groups that this type of approach will not work. As such, it is a strategic framework intended to provide the policy direction required at a national level to achieve these objectives, identifying the wide range of options that could be deployed at national, regional and local level, and supporting, guiding and enabling the appropriate authorities and entities, both in the public and private domain, to take ownership and shape their own actions in a coherent, evidence-based manner. It is vital to the credibility of the Strategy that its implementation is demonstrably fair and equitable. This has been the approach taken in developing the Strategy and it will continue to be the approach taken to its implementation.

Broadly speaking, the recommendations are grouped to reflect those areas that are deemed to be of critical importance to effective demand management: the national planning system, taxation policy, local government, enabling legislation, and key sectors (freight, public, education, sports, business, tourism). The recommendations also reflect the supports needed such as availability of sustainable mobility or ‘supply side’ alternatives, public engagement, good data and the need for strong implementation and review mechanisms.

Implementation methods and capacity to deliver were a key factor in designing the recommendations from the outset of the Strategy. The recommendations are summarised below and further detailed in an Implementation Plan, which is appended to this Strategy (Appendix 3). The Plan provides additional details on the steps envisaged under each recommendation, the timelines, ownership, and outputs involved.

The 32 recommendations set out are the product of a constructive, collaborative and concerted effort across a broad range of Government departments, members of the National Steering Group, expert sub-groups and feedback from the public consultation and engagement processes, to identify the type of interventions that can cumulatively make a lasting and positive impact.

Strengthened implementation of demand management across national planning system

No.	Recommendation
1	Strengthen policy alignment and implementation mechanisms to deliver NPF National Strategic Outcome 1 ‘Compact Growth’ and NSO 4 ‘Sustainable Mobility’ given the critical role of compact growth in reducing travel demand and in enhancing transport system efficiencies.
Embed No.	ding polluter pays principle in taxation policy over medium to long term Recommendation
2	Identify a pathway for the development of a cohesive, equitable and future-proofed taxation approach on transport, based on a ‘user and polluter pays’ principle.

Empowering and supporting local authorities

No.	Recommendation
3	Develop Demand Management strategies at Local Authority (LA) level, taking account of the delivery of sustainable mobility alternatives.

4	Prepare guidance and develop modelling and other supports for LAs on the development of tailored Demand Management strategies, starting with cities outside GDA and major urban towns.
5	Update national guidelines and standards in support of demand management measures and strengthen supporting oversight and coordination structures.
6	Enable LAs to prioritise and deliver demand management through greater integration, collaboration and the establishment of multidisciplinary teams.
7	Incorporate demand management principles into Active Travel Schemes while assuring alignment with sustainable accessibility and road safety requirements.
8	Communications and engagement support for LAs.
9	Supplement, through alternative financing options, existing supports from national Government.

Driving efficiency in freight sector

No.	Recommendation
10	Continue to enhance rail freight capacity and explore potential for future growth in the sector.
11	Develop Sustainable Freight Distribution Strategies for 5 Cities.
12	Improve opportunities for freight consolidation, last-mile green delivery and use of technology.

Strengthening supply side measures to complement demand management

No.	Recommendation
13	Develop further ‘supply side’measures, particularly shared mobility interventions, to augment sustainable mobility alternatives in next iteration of SMP Action Plan.
14	Review existing incentives for encouraging uptake of EVs, with a focus on targeted supports for Captive Car Usages.
15	Continue to evolve opportunities for flexible and remote working and digitalisation.
16	Encourage greater utilisation of remote working from hubs.

Providing enabling legislation to support appropriate measures

Figure from page 126

Review relevant legislation to ensure powers are sufficient to bring forward demand management 17 measures.

Embedding demand management principles and practices across public sector

No.	Recommendation
18	Embed demand management principles across all relevant Government funding programmes.
19	Reduce transport demand created by public sector services.

Leverage potential of Civil Service Motor Travel Rates to effect change, including the introduction 20 of single rate for all cars regardless of engine type.

Engaging with education and sports sectors to embed demand management principles and practices

No.	Recommendation
21	By sharing good practice, third level institutions will lead on reducing private car journeys to and from campus through climate action strategies and Green Campus Programme.
22	Increase sustainable mobility supports for primary and secondary school children.

Sporting organisations will encourage less car travel to sports fixtures 23 and training sessions in collaboration with local communities.

Engaging with business sector to embed demand management principles and practices

No.	Recommendation
24	Strengthening focus on transport/mobility related dimensions of corporate sustainability requirements.
25	Work with the operators of visitor attractions, tourist hubs and major event organisers to increase the proportion of visitors arriving at sites/festivals by public transport and other sustainable options.

Supporting public engagement and consumer awareness
No.	Recommendation
26	Work with the insurance industry to examine how it can contribute to the achievement of the objectives of this strategy particularly in respect of consumer communication on activities that may reduce unnecessary car ownership.
27	Raising consumer awareness on vehicle buying and ownership.

Building the evidence base to inform policy choices and demonstrate success
No.	Recommendation
28	Enhance modelling tools to better understand the impacts of specific demand management measures as part of wider climate action initiatives.
Commission research to measure and model the cumulative and relative impacts of the 29 recommendations.
30	Undertake analysis on the efef ctiveness of reducing car parking as a demand management measure, taking account of wider parking availability.
31 Establish mechanism to support demand management pilot measures.
32	Establish an oversight mechanism to monitor and evaluate the Strategy.