Recent Social And Economic Research Reports

Title

Borders Railway Year 2 Evaluation

Publication date

February 2018

Contractor

Peter Brett Associates

Purpose of research

Building on the findings of the Stage 1 Evaluation, the research further develops understanding of the extent to which the Borders Railway is on track to meet its investment objectives.

Main findings

• In Year 2, overall travel on the line has increased by 9.5%. As in Year 1, the majority of patronage on the line is towards Edinburgh with Tweedbank accounting for the biggest component of demand and Edinburgh Waverley the most frequent destination.
• Compared to Year 1, has been an increase in inbound and outbound travel at all the Midlothian stations while the number of people travelling to Galashiels and Tweedbank has fallen with the latter likely a reflection of the novelty impact of the line.
• Based on the frequency with which respondents indicated they made their current trip, it is estimated that approximately 35,900 (35%) of the estimated annual single trips recorded via the sample were ‘new trips’.
• In terms of tourists, 71% said that the re-opening of the line had been a factor in choosing to make their trip and 25% stated that they would not have made the trip had the line not been in place.
• Commuting is the most common journey purpose. In comparison to the Year 1 Survey, there is a higher proportion of commuting and leisure trips and a smaller proportion of educational trips. In total, 60% of respondents to the User Survey reported that the purpose of their trip was either a tourist day trip or an overnight stay. Of these, 25% were travelling to Midlothian and / or the Scottish Borders.
• The re-opening of the Borders Railway has resulted in significant modal shift from the car to public transport with 61% of respondents stating that they previously made their journey by another mode. Of these, 64% reported that they previously drove all their way to their destination resulting in approximately 35,800 saved single car trips.
• There has also been a shift from bus to rail with 25% of those who formerly travelled by another method reporting that they took the bus, equating to a reduction in approximately 14,100 annual single trips.

Link to report

https://www.transport.gov.scot/media/41659/sct02189915561.pdf

Title

Bus Services in Scotland - Improving the Framework for Delivery - Analysis of Responses to the Consultation

Publication date

March 2018

Contractor

Dialogue by Design

Purpose of research

This report analyses and summarises responses that were received through a Scottish Government consultation on the shape of the regulatory framework for bus services in Scotland.  

Main findings

• A total of 316 responses were received to this consultation. This included 61 responses submitted by organisations, 254 responses submitted by individual members of the public, and one set of 1,725 campaign responses using standard text developed by Friends of the Earth (FoE) Scotland.
• Responses to the consultation were, in the main, supportive of Transport Scotland’s proposals for improving the framework for delivering bus services. Open data in particular received strong support with organisations supporting this unanimously. 
• The majority of concerns and suggestions focused on the details of how these proposals may be implemented. For example, while most respondents supported replacing the current statutory Quality Partnerships, there was not a consensus on whether Service Improvement Partnerships provided a sufficient improvement.
• Partnership working legislation, local franchising and transport authority-led bus services received majority support, except from transport operators on the grounds of distorting competition. Operators were more supportive of the proposals for arm’s length bus companies than for direct running. 
• In terms of impacts, respondents often stated that the proposals’ potential impacts on Scotland’s people, environment and economy would be dependent on the proposals’ ability to improve bus services.

Link to report

https://www.transport.gov.scot/media/41827/bus-services-in-scotland-analysis-of-responses-march-2018.pdf

Title

The Future Of Smart Ticketing In Scotland - Analysis of Responses to the Consultation

Publication date

March 2018

Contractor

Dialogue By Design

Purpose of research

This report analyses and summarises responses that were received through a Scottish Government consultation on the future of smart ticketing in Scotland.

The consultation sought to gather the views of stakeholders and individuals with an interest in the implementation of nation-wide multi-modal smart ticketing.

Main findings

• A total of 148 responses were received to this consultation with responses received from members of the public, local authorities, transport operators, regional transport partnerships, public bodies and other organisations. A total of 98 responses were received from individual respondents with the remaining 50 coming from organisations.
• The majority of respondents thought that a consistent smart payment option available across Scotland and on all main public transport modes would promote use of public transport in Scotland. 
• Many respondents highlighted the potential benefits of this scheme, including the convenience of not having to use cash and the ability to seamlessly switch between modes using the same payment method. Some respondents referred to existing successful smart ticketing schemes around the world including the London Oyster Card. 
• Several respondents provided caveats for their support of the proposals, including that smart ticketing would only promote use of public transport if implemented alongside other measures such as fare capping or integrated travel networks.
• A smaller number of respondents were concerned about the proposals, highlighting issues such as those who can only pay in cash and the difficulty to implement such a scheme nationally. 
• Another point that respondents raised was that contactless credit or debit card payments should either be added to or replace the e-purse in order to future proof it.

Link to report

https://www.transport.gov.scot/media/41821/smart-ticketing-analysis-of-responses-march-2018.pdf

Title

Analysis Report - Consultation on Building Scotland’s Low Emission Zones

Publication date

March 2018

Contractor

Ch2M

Purpose of research

This report is an analysis of responses to the Building Scotland’s Low Emission Zones Consultation which sought feedback on the Scottish Government’s proposals to introduce Low Emission Zones (LEZs) in Scotland.

Main findings

• In total, 967 responses were received – 225 substantive responses, 732 Campaign responses and 10 Campaign Plus responses. The 225 substantive consultation responses were received from 101 organisations and 124 individuals.
• There was a high level of consensus among respondents with 95.5% supporting the principle of LEZs to help improve air quality in Scotland.
• Some 62.3% of respondents agreed with the proposed minimum mandatory Euro emission criteria for Scottish LEZs.
• Respondents were asked whether they supported the principle of adopting a road access restriction scheme for LEZs across different classes of vehicle. Views were very mixed with people both in favour and against the proposal.
• The views provided showed that the most popular suggestion was for LEZs to operate 24 hours, 7 days a week.

Link to report

https://www.transport.gov.scot/publication/analysis-report-consultation-on-building-scotland-s-low-emission-zones/

Title

Analysis of Responses from the Consultation - March 2018 - Raising Standards and Improving the Quality of Road Works in Scotland

Publication date

March 2018

Contractor

KSO Research

Purpose of research

This report summarises the responses received to the Consultation on Raising Standards and Improving the Quality of Road Works in Scotland. The consultation followed an earlier independent review of the office and functions of the Scottish Road Works Commissioner (SRWC), which resulted in a number of accepted recommendations to improve the regulation of road works in Scotland. Those recommendations formed the basis of the consultation document.

Main findings

• A total of 88 responses were received. Most came from roads authority representatives, utilities representatives and contractors.
• There was overall support for the introduction of quality plans, and the review of their effectiveness over time, potentially removing the need for the latent defect process.
• While some felt that making information more accessible and available in a shorter time would assist with the planning and co-ordination of works and traffic movement, others felt that the proposals were too demanding and would be administratively challenging to implement.
• There was clear support for introducing consistency into Codes of Conduct for those working at sites, as well as for making the requirements for safety related qualifications more stringent across the board there was reasonable support for both strengthening the role of the SRWC in respect of enforcement powers and changes to the fixed penalty notices scheme, with a widespread recognition that both would potentially lead to better compliance with existing road works rules and regulations.
• Proposals to enhance the role of the SRWC attracted the most support, overall.

Link to report

https://www.transport.gov.scot/media/41833/analysis-of-responses-march-2018-road-works-consultation.pdf

Title

Final report - Appraisal of options for specification of 2018 Northern Isles ferry services

Publication date

April 2018

Contractor

Peter Brett Associates

Purpose of research

A comprehensive transport appraisal, in line with the Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance, which involves exploring and assessing potential options for the specification of the next Northern Isles Ferry Services contract.

Main findings

• The analysis undertaken has demonstrated that a reduction in fares of the scale considered here is likely to lead to significant problems of unmet demand on the North Sea routes (based on the best data available at present and subject to the caveats identified through the research). The primary constraint will be on cabin accommodation, but there will also be a major impact on the vehicle deck.

Link to report

https://www.transport.gov.scot/media/41903/final-report-appraisal-of-options-for-specification-of-2018-northern-isles-ferry-services-april-2018.pdf

Title

Improving Parking in Scotland - Consultation Analysis Report

Publication date

May 2018

Contractor

In-house

Purpose of research

A consultation analysis report on the Improving Parking in Scotland public consultation, which took place between March and June 2017. The report considers the views of stakeholders and individuals who answered a series of questions on how we can tackle issues, such as pavement parking and double parking.

Main findings

• In total, 663 responses were received, in which there was an overall consensus amongst respondents 83% that new legislation was required to resolve the issues surrounding inconsiderate parking.
• The majority of the respondents (81%) agreed that parking is a problem, and that most (461) encountered this problem on a daily basis. 
• A substantial number of respondents (73%) agreed that any new legislation should cover all roads and footways, including private roads. While there was general support for new legislation a number of respondents 62% (392) disagreed with the proposal that local authorities should carry out exemptions to specific streets or areas from the proposed national restrictions for pavement parking.
• Furthermore, 85% (548) respondents believed that parking enforcement should be applied consistently across Scotland. 
• Interestingly, of those that agreed consistency in enforcement of parking is needed there was a split in how this should be achieved, with 48% of those supporting the roll-out of Decriminalised Parking Enforcement (DPE) across the country. However, 23% believe it should be for Police Scotland to enforce, and the remainder presenting alternative proposals.

Link to report

https://www.transport.gov.scot/media/42239/improving-parking-in-scotland-may-2018.pdf

Title

Free Bus Travel for Older and Disabled People and Modern Apprentices - Analysis of Responses to the Consultation

Publication date

August 2018

Contractor

Craigforth

Purpose of research

The Scottish Government has committed to continuing to provide free bus travel for those who need it the most, and this consultation looked at options to ensure the longer-term sustainability of the Scheme. Also included were questions on a proposal to provide free bus travel to Modern Apprentices, and to provide free companion travel for eligible disabled children under five who are not currently covered by the Scheme.

Main findings

• In total, 2,947 responses were submitted. A substantial majority of responses came from individual members of the public.
• The majority, 64%, think that the existing age eligibility criteria for the Scheme should be retained, while 36% think that it should not.
• A substantial majority of respondents (73%) do not agree with raising age eligibility to female SPA in one step. A small majority, 55%, do not agree with eligibility being raised to female SPA gradually over time.
• The majority of respondents, 68%, agree that free bus travel should be provided for Modern Apprentices. Respondents are evenly divided as to whether the proposed benefit should be targeted to Modern Apprentices under age 21.
• A substantial majority of respondents, 81%, are in favour of providing a companion card for disabled under 5s where this is needed.

Link to report

https://www.transport.gov.scot/media/42573/free-bus-travel-analysis-of-responses-august-2018.pdf

Title

Carbon Account for Transport Volume 10

Publication date

November 2018

Contractor

In-house 

Purpose of research

The Carbon Account for Transport presents detailed analysis of Scottish transport emissions to 2016, along with commentary on the emissions impact of policies and infrastructure plans.

Main findings

• The latest emissions publication shows that Scottish transport emissions rose in 2015 and 2016 and now stand at 14.4 MtCO2e, 37% of all Scottish emissions. In 2015, transport overtook energy supply to become the largest sectorial contributor to Scotland’s greenhouse gas emissions. However, emissions from transport remain below the 2007 peak. 
• Between 2015 and 2016 the largest proportional rise in emissions was from aviation. The largest absolute rise was from road transport, of which the largest contributors to that rise were light goods vehicles.
• The planned, in progress and recently completed road transport infrastructure projects are each expected to generate very small increases in future transport emissions.  Longer term, the Edinburgh Glasgow Improvement Project is expected to generate a small emissions saving. 

Link to report

https://www.transport.gov.scot/publication/carbon-account-for-transport-no-10-2018-edition/

Title

Transporting Scotland’s Trade

Publication date

December 2018

Contractor

In-house

Purpose of research

This report provides a summary of Scotland’s key exports and imports, and how they are transported from, into and within Scotland. An overview of some of Scotland’s key transport hubs is provided along with further details of some of its key trading partners.

Main findings

• Scotland has strong trade links with 105 countries across nearly 100 different industries and sectors.
• Scotland traded nearly £53 billion worth of goods in 2017, with more than half (54%) being exports. Of the £28.7 billion worth of exports destined for international markets, nearly half (49%) went to the EU.
• The top 5 destinations for Scottish exports in 2017 were the Netherlands (£4.3 billion), the United States (£3.4 billion), Germany (£2.8 billion), China (£2.2 billion), and France (£1.8 billion)
• Scotland’s key exports markets include Petroleum, petroleum products & related materials, Food & Drink and Power Generating machinery and equipment – with 38% of all exports in these goods, being sent to EU markets.
• In 2016, total freight (excluding pipeline and rail) lifted in Scotland was over 271 million tonnes. Road freight made up the largest proportion (204 million tonnes) followed by sea (67 million tonnes) and then air (55,000 tonnes).
• The vast majority of freight lifted in Scotland was carried by road and remained within Scotland.
• Although the amount of freight carried by road to mainland Europe is small, the road network is an essential way to transport Scotland’s perishable goods to such markets in Europe.
• Forth Ports is Scotland’s largest port with 27.5 million tonnes being handled by the port in 2017.
• Edinburgh Airport handles the most air freight in Scotland, and is also the country’s busiest passenger airport and the sixth busiest in the UK.
• As well as being Scotland’s largest commercial site, Eurocentral located next to the M8 and the rail network is one of Scotland’s key transport logistic facilities.
• Cairnryan/Loch Ryan is Scotland’s main port for carrying goods and passengers to Northern Ireland. Trunk road links to the port (A77 and A75) carry an estimated £67 million worth of goods per day.
• Scotland’s number one international export destination is the Netherlands this is a result of the Dutch port of Rotterdam being an international shipping hub with goods exported to other global destinations from there.
• In 2017, the USA was Scotland’s main non-EU export destination with whisky being a key export commodity. Although most high density freight to the USA is carried by ship, some direct flights which operate from some of Scotland’s key airport also carry low volume freight.
• Both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland remain core trading partners with Scotland. In 2017 nearly £1.3 billion of exports went to the Republic alone accounting for 4.5% of Scotland’s total exports. A proportion of these goods would have been transported via the 13 daily sailings from Cairnryan / Loch Ryan.
• Since 2013, Scotland has imported more goods from Norway than any other nation. Over that time, imports from Norway have totalled more than £19.4 billion. As a result of both countries involvement in the North Sea oil and gas fields, the top commodities are related to

Link to report

https://www.transport.gov.scot/media/43733/sct11180880501.pdf