Director for Sustrans Cymru, Christine Boston leads on strategy and operations for Wales with a view to achieving happier lives and healthier places through the way we travel. She also sits on the Welsh Government’s Transport Performance Board and Chairs the Wales Active Travel Board’s Inclusion Sub-Group.
Christine took the podium at TRANSPORT Smart Class, Wales 2022 to discuss the ways in which Sustrans is working with communities to increase data and information that will ensure smart and inclusive travel futures:
“With leaders facing multiple crises of climate change, air pollution, inactivity, obesity, loneliness and isolation, it is essential that we gather and utilise the necessary data to make decisions and plan services that meet the needs of our communities. Through innovation, we are able to work with a wide range of individuals to develop solutions to local problems. This engagement and understanding”, Christine explained, “is vital in tackling the challenges of transport and achieving liveable cities and towns. Our collaborative design approaches aim to transform urban design by working with communities, raising ambition and amplifying voices”.
At 1,700 miles, the National Cycle Network (NCN) in Wales is roughly the same length as the trunk road network. Furthermore, most journeys in Wales are less than 5 miles and nearly half are below 2 miles. Yet 61% of adults in Wales are overweight, a quarter of all children are starting primary school obese, 16% of the population feel lonely (surprisingly, more of them young than old), Welsh air pollution levels are some of the highest in the UK (accounting for between 1,000 and 1,500 deaths per year) and – despite Covid and lockdowns – there were still around 4,000 road traffic accidents recorded in 2020. As for the climate emergency, rainfall is expected to increase by 50% over the next 10 years.
In addition to these challenges, the scope of Christine’s keynote covered: Targets (45% modal shift by 2040 and the halving of emissions from surface transport by 2030); Sustrans’ Vision and Mission (“for a society where the way we travel creates healthier places and happier lives for everyone” and “We make it easier for people to walk, wheel & cycle”); Strategic Priorities (Paths for Everyone and Liveable Cities & Towns for Everyone); Network Modelling and the use of innovation and technology in Sustrans’ approach, including On-street analysis using AI cameras, interactive engagement tools and community mapping, online surveys and GIS, and storymapping. Christine also case studied Sustrans’ E-Move project, an electric cycle loan scheme and e-cargo bike pilot (funded by the Welsh Government) which uses trackers and sensor technology to learn about the benefits and impacts.
If you meet our regular delegate qualification criteria but were unable to join us on May 26th for the live in-person event at voco St David’s Cardiff, CLICK HERE and complete the short “Download form” (located at the bottom of the post) to receive a unique link enabling free access to the presentation video recordings and slides (including the film footage and slides from Christine’s keynote presentation).
Those qualifying to receive the rich presentation content from this event include commissioning, procurement, trialling and partnering leads, senior influencers, strategic decision makers and planners from: local authorities (e.g. city, borough, metropolitan, district and county councils); public and private transport operators; regional transport partnerships, sub-regional transport bodies, combined authorities, integrated transport authorities and passenger transport executives; highways authorities and road operators; government and supporting national transport agencies; fleet operators, vehicle manufacturers, parking operators, prime contractors etc.
