4. Future work

4.1 Consultation and continued engagement

The route map sets out a framework for national level policies and interventions to support sustainable travel behaviours, however, local-level actions and commitments will also be key to achieving the ambitious target of reducing car kilometres by 20 per cent by 2030. The route map has therefore been developed in conjunction with COSLA and local authority partners, with input sought from a range of other relevant stakeholders. To date we have run online workshops for transport sector stakeholders, in which we asked for views on the behaviours, audiences and interventions that the route map should focus on. We have followed this up with similar engagement events with COSLA members and Regional Transport Partnerships (RTPs).

Initial public engagement has included focus groups and a public opinion survey as well as a public facing engagement event as part of COP26, and a People’s Panel session as part of wider engagement on NTS2. We have also engaged with organisations representing the interests of groups with Equality Act protected characteristics, through our Transport Equality Network, as well as initial engagement with business representatives. The draft route map and associated impact assessments are now published for formal consultation. We will also continue engagement with local authorities, RTPs and other key stakeholders following publication, and we will establish a joint governance structure to oversee our progress towards reaching the 20 per cent reduction target.

4.2 Supporting the regional and local application of interventions

As referenced in section 4.1, it is essential that the policies and interventions set out at national level support and are aligned with regional and local level actions. In line with the commitment set out in the NTS2 we will take a collaborative and participatory approach to delivering the interventions outlined in the route map. Local authorities’ contributions, reflective of local circumstances, needs and resources, will be especially critical across the range of interventions set out in the route map, including:

• Continuing to support hybrid working models and digital access to services wherever possible
• Shaping places that are walkable, connected and healthy through land-use planning, alongside communities and local partners
• Promoting active travel and improving infrastructure to make it easier, safer and attractive to walk, wheel or cycle
• Public transport support and provision, including of adequate infrastructure
• Parking and traffic management in tandem with interventions that make sustainable travel accessible for everyone, including using the new WPL powers, where appropriate
• Supporting car clubs and car sharing options
• Educating our young people and promoting behaviour change through information and awareness raising campaigns.

We are aware that there is already a significant amount of action being taken by RTPs, local authorities, health boards and third sector partners. Following further engagement with these partners we will identify opportunities for and develop any shared learning or support tools that may be needed to support the implementation of route map interventions within regions, local authorities and individual communities.

While many of the interventions laid out in this route map have funding streams allocated to them, it is also necessary to influence funding decisions taken out with transport as part of the cross-sector approach to supporting reduced car use. STPR2 will set out recommendations for future strategic transport investment decisions, and we will continue working with COSLA and other partners to consider the challenges and opportunities associated with ensuring funding supports sustainable travel behaviours to enable healthier, fairer and more sustainable lives.

4.3 Monitoring and evaluating the progress and impact of the route map

While the route map is not one-size-fits-all, and car usage will not be expected to fall at the same rates in all parts of Scotland, our monitoring of progress will initially be at a national level and will be measured annually, with single national target of reducing the annual number of car kilometres by 20 per cent by 2030 (against a 2019 baseline). We will align monitoring of this outcome with that of the NTS2, as well as RTPs’ own monitoring processes. A number of the individual interventions set out within the plan will also have their own monitoring and evaluation frameworks. Our planned consultation and engagement on the draft route map and associated impact assessments will help us to consider the value of monitoring and evaluating against interim or sub-measures and a full monitoring and evaluation plan will be set out alongside the final route map. Consideration will be given to all options with input from stakeholders to explore how the contribution of different parts of Scotland can be measured as part of this national target.

4.4 Areas for further exploration

In developing the route map we have identified a number of transport and non-transport policy areas which may benefit from further exploration and will continue to identify and act on further opportunities as they arise, in conjunction with the recommendations of STPR2, which will inform Scottish Government transport investment priorities up to 2042.