Place standards toolkit
3.0 Using the tool with shared transport input
Upon interacting with the online Place Standards tool, you will be asked to score each question on a scale of 1 to 7 (bad to good). This scoring will be undertaken once you have collated the participants’ answers to the granular questions asked in the tool. The scoring system is subjective and needs agreement from all the participants in the process.
The scoring system output is a spider graphic per the example below. This allows for a clear understanding of the problems and potentials of an area, in a graphical format.
Should you wish to consider shared transport as a factor in your community, we have posed additional questions for seven of the fourteen topics in the Place Standards tool to ensure that additional shared transport solutions are considered, not just the incumbent solution found in our towns and cities of private car with some public transport.
We have also included an example response to one of CoMoUK’s additional questions for your consideration. You can use this response or alter it to suit your communities’ needs or observations around the issue.
As the user interacts with the tool’s sixteen questions, we would ask that they refer to this guide for additional granular questions framed in a shared transport context for sections 1-4, 7, 10 and 12 of the tool. If shared transport is deemed to play a part on any of the other questions it is wholly acceptable to engage on that level. Alternatively, please contact CoMoUK for additional guidance.
3.1 Tool section 1: Moving and cycling
The tool poses the question: ‘Can I easily walk and cycle around using good-quality routes?’
And gives context to the question by further asking the respondents to consider:
- Are there enough routes for walking and cycling?
- Are walking and cycling given priority over cars and other traffic as much as possible?
- Do routes provide obvious and direct links with the places that people want to go, such as schools, shops, parks, and public transport?
- Are routes good quality, attractive and pleasant to use?
- Do routes meet the needs of everyone, whatever their age or mobility, and is there seating for those who need it?
- Do routes feel safe to use all year round and at different times of the day?
CoMoUK suggest that users of the tool consider the following shared transport issues in the context of the setting question:
- Are there shared transport opportunities such as shared bikes and e-bikes on existing walking and cycling routes?
- Would existing and new routes be more attractive to users if shared transport was provided as a service on these routes?
Question 8 example answer
I would rather not own a bike round here due to the cost and vandalism so shared transport gives me an opportunity to cycle from the bus stop from town to the shops near my house.
3.2 Tool section 2: Public transport
The tool poses the question: ‘Does public transport meet my needs?’
The context of the question is then expanded to the following:
- Are public transport services frequent and reliable?
- Do they take people to where they want to go?
- Is public transport safe and easy to access, whatever their age or mobility?
- Are bus stops and stations in convenient places and within walking distance of people’s homes and is there seating for those who need it?
- Do bus and train stations have what is needed, for example, toilets, secure parking, and cycle storage?
- Can everyone afford public transport services?
- Are facilities and vehicles of good quality and well maintained?
CoMoUK suggest that user of the tool consider the following shared transport issues in the context of the setting question:
- Can I successfully engage with public transport without the need for a private car on a ‘first and last mile’ basis?
- Would I use public transport more if I had access to a shared transport option that allowed me to complete my journey door-to-door?
Question 8 example answer
The train station is a 15-minute walk uphill from town. If I could pick up a shared e-bike to do this journey it would be preferable to having to take the car and pay for parking.
3.3 Tool section 3: Traffic and parking
The tool poses the question: ‘Do traffic and parking arrangements allow people to move around safely and meet the community’s needs?’
The context of the question is then expanded to the following:
- Do people take priority over cars and other traffic?
- What impact does traffic have on health and wellbeing in the place (you might want to think about access, noise, and air quality)?
- Is parking in a safe and secure location?
- Are traffic-calming measures used effectively to benefit the community?
- Are there too many cars and too much traffic in the area?
CoMoUK suggest that users of the tool consider the following shared transport issues in the context of the setting question:
- Are there suitable alternatives to the private car in your neighbourhood?
- If private car use was less, resulting in fewer parking spaces, what would you use the additional space for?
Question 7 example answer
We have discussed operating a community garden scheme, growing vegetables for everyone. Alternatively, if we could remove a lot of spaces in one area, it would present an opportunity to a playpark for the kids.
3.4 Tool section 4: Streets and spaces
The tool poses the question: ‘Do buildings, streets and public spaces create an attractive place that is easy to get around?’
The context of the question is then expanded to the following:
- Do the buildings or public spaces make being in or passing through the area a pleasant experience?
- Are there positive features such as local landmarks, historic buildings, public squares, or natural features that make the place look attractive?
- Do poor aspects such as derelict buildings, vacant land or excessive noise reduce the effect that these positive features have?
- Do features and routes help people find their way around?
- Is it much harder to enjoy the place at night, in different seasons, or during bad weather?
CoMoUK suggest that users of the tool consider the following shared transport issues in the context of the setting question:
- Are streets primarily for the use of cars?
- What alternative transport modes could streets accommodate?
- Do we need to have vehicular access to all streets?
Question 8 example answer
Lots of the streets in our neighbourhood could be pedestrianized if car parking can be sorted out.
Please note that the numbering jumps to Section 7 as Sections 5 & 6 do not directly relate to transport issues. The user can consider alternative transport choices in sections 4 and 5 if there is a reason to do so.
3.5 Tool section 7: Facilities and amenities
The toolkit poses the question: 'Do facilities and amenities meet my needs?’
The context of the question is then expanded to the following:
- Does a range of facilities and amenities meet a variety of different needs (for learning, health, shopping, relaxation, and so on)?
- Can everyone use the facilities and amenities, regardless of their age, sex, ethnic group, disability, religious belief, or sexuality?
- Are the facilities and amenities within a reasonable distance and easily accessible?
- Are they of good quality and well maintained?
- Are the facilities and amenities being used to their full potential to help to support a healthy lifestyle?
CoMoUK suggest that users of the tool consider the following shared transport issues in the context of the setting question:
- Do the facilities and amenities relating to our travel needs exist in our community?
- Are travel facilities and amenities convenient and easy to locate and use?
Question 6 example answer
The bus service is adequate, but it’s a long walk to get to it. The train station is a car ride away, so it’s easier to take the car the whole way into town, though parking is difficult.
Please note that the numbering jumps to Section 10 as Sections 8 & 9 do not directly relate to transport issues. The user can consider alternative transport choices in sections 8 and 9 if there is a reason to do so.
3.6 Tool section 10: Social contact
The tool poses the question: ‘Is there a range of spaces and opportunities to meet people?’
The context of the question is then expanded to the following:
- Which spaces provide opportunities for people to meet?
- Is there a range of different spaces (indoor, outdoor, purpose-built, and more informal) where people can meet?
- Can these spaces be used at different times of the day, throughout the year, and in different types of weather?
- Do people from across the whole community and from different backgrounds mix together and get to know each other?
CoMoUK suggest that users of the tool consider the following shared transport issues in the context of the setting question:
- How do we travel to meet people?
- Can we travel to social occasions in a different way?
Question 6 example answer
The community centre is at the edge of the estate, so is a long walk for lots of people. Some people use a designated driver scheme, but parking is always a problem and not very fair on the designated driver.
Please note that the numbering jumps to Section 12 as Section 11 does not directly relate to transport issues. The user can consider alternative transport choices in section 11 if there is a reason to do so.
3.7 Tool section 12: Feeling safe
The tool poses the question: ‘Do I feel safe here?’
The context of the question is then expanded to the following:
- Are routes safe and well used at different times of the day and throughout the year?
- Are spaces overlooked by buildings that are well used, adding to a feeling of safety?
- Is the area free of empty or derelict property, crime, and antisocial behaviour?
- Do people feel safe both at home and when out and about?
- Is the area safe for everyone, whatever their age, sex, ethnic group, religious beliefs, sexuality, or disability?
CoMoUK suggest that users of the tool consider the following shared transport issues in the context of the setting question:
- If we activate streets and spaces by encouraging additional transport modes, will we feel safer in these spaces?
- Do we feel safe with private cars on our streets?
Question 7 example answer
The kids like to play in the street and parked and parking cars can be problematic. It would be good to reduce the number of parked cars and get some space back for the kids.
Please note that sections 13 – 16 do not directly relate to transport issues. The user can consider alternative transport choices in sections 13 through 16 if there is a reason to do so.
