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Promote economic growth

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Supporting economic development has the potential to deliver a higher quality of life, improved infrastructure and better environment. There is a need to ensure that development promoted to further enhance economic growth complements and reinforces environmental aims and objectives.

Promote social inclusion

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Improving connectivity and increasing accessibility to the transport network, with an emphasis on sustainable modes has the potential to deliver environmental benefits across the criteria scoped within this assessment framework.

Protect our environment and improve health

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A commitment to building and investing in public transport and other types of efficient and sustainable transport which minimise emissions and consumption of resources and energy can be expected to have a positive impact across the environmental criteria scoped within this assessment framework.

Improve safety of journeys

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Improving safety of journeys, particularly for passengers, walkers and cyclists could increase the attractiveness of more sustainable modes and in doing so positively benefit the wider environment.

Improve integration

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Improving integration between different modes of transport would be expected to enhance the attractiveness of alternative modes of transport to the private car and in doing so reduce the negative effects on the environment associated with this mode.

Redirect balance of spending towards sustainable modes

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The positive effects of this option are not likely to be realised immediately - it takes time to encourage people to change their behaviour and use alternatives to the private car.

Redirect balance of spending between capital investment and revenue support

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As the NTS does not discuss plans for investment it is not possible at this stage to identify the environmental implications of this policy option.

Build on Air Route Development fund

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Support for international connectivity by air is viewed as extremely important by businesses, particularly in terms of raising Scotland's profile as an attractive and easily accessible destination. Air travel is recognised as a significant contributor to CO₂ emissions, however analysis undertaken for the Scottish Climate Change Programme reported that the impact of this fund to date on emissions is relatively minor, at less than 50 kilotonnes of carbon per annum.

Facilitate development of international connectivity by sea

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Support for international connectivity by sea is viewed as extremely important, particularly by the freight sector. There are however a number of environmental concerns, particularly in terms of risk of accidental spillage and marine environment. There is also concern in relation to the environmental implications associated with less strict emission standards.
For example, in port the limit is for 0.1% sulphur to be used in fuels - while this is an improvement on previous standards it is still 20 times higher than for road transport fuels.

Address balance between competing needs of freight and passengers on the road and rail network.

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A separate freight strategy is currently being developed. A SEA will be completed on this strategy and this will allow for more detailed consideration of the environmental implications associated with a policy measure of this nature.

Examine legislative framework for non-scheduled transport

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This measure could potentially increase travel, particularly in rural and regeneration areas, but is considered an important policy in relation to social inclusion. The environmental implications would largely depend on how and whether journeys on non-scheduled transport were made previously and therefore the magnitude of effect is uncertain at this stage. More detailed assessment at regional and local level required to determine with greater certainty the impact on difference aspects of the environment.

Address barriers to proper service integration between different providers of non-scheduled transport

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Enhanced integration between providers could lead to improved service provision which through increased efficiency may potentially reduce the overall number of services being provided and increase vehicle occupancy levels. This is considered an important policy in relation to social inclusion. The environmental implications would largely depend on how and whether journeys on non-scheduled transport were made previously and therefore the magnitude of effect is uncertain at this stage.

Remove disincentives for demand responsive transport

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This could potentially increase travel, particularly in rural and regeneration areas, but is considered an important policy in relation to social inclusion. The environmental implications would largely depend on how and whether journeys on DRT were made previously and therefore the magnitude of effect is uncertain at this stage.

Examine accessibility planning in a Scottish context - learning from experience in England

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Accessibility planning is a tool that enables analysis of gaps in transport provision, identifies areas of poor integration and potential social exclusion. This is important in the context of social inclusion and negative environmental implications are unlikely.

Assess improved concessions for disabled people

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This could potentially increase travel, particularly in rural and regeneration areas, but is considered an important policy in relation to social inclusion. The environmental implications would largely depend on how and whether the journeys were made previously and therefore the magnitude of effect is uncertain at this stage.

Support transport improvements to address social exclusion in rural areas

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This could potentially increase travel, particularly in rural and regeneration areas, but is considered an important policy in relation to social inclusion. The environmental implications would largely depend on how and whether the journeys were made previously and therefore the magnitude of effect is uncertain at this stage.

Deliver real improvements to lifeline air and ferry services

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This could potentially increase travel, particularly in the Highlands and Islands, but is considered an important policy in relation to social inclusion. The environmental implications would largely depend on how and whether the journeys were made previously and therefore the magnitude of effect is uncertain at this stage. Air travel has significant environmental impact, especially in terms of carbon dioxide ( CO₂) emissions while water borne travel poses direct risk to environment in terms of risk of spillage and integrity of marine ecosystem.

Increase the uptake of travel plans

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Travel plans are a site-specific package of measures aimed at promoting sustainable travel to/from a specific organisation and/or community. They are important in discouraging single-car occupancy, particularly for the journey to work and can be expected to have a positive impact on the environment in the longer-term, primarily through reducing the need for new infrastructure.

Investment in "smart measures" to promote modal shift

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Smart measures can be effective in changing attitudes to travel and lifestyle but this is not a "quick-fix" measure and would require long-term commitment and investment. Environmental impact is expected to be a major positive in the longer-term.

Increase promotion of walking and cycling as healthy and sustainable ways to travel

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Where improvements are made to encourage walking and cycling positive impacts on the environment can be expected. Due to the modal shift required these are likely to be of a longer-term nature.

Promote modal shift onto buses

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Measures to promote modal shift can be expected to provide environmental gains through reducing the number of vehicles using and therefore demand on the existing road network. For maximum benefits to be ensured the promotion of cleaner
vehicles should be encouraged. There is also a need to minimise unintended modal shift from walking and cycling to maximise the environmental gains.

Promote modal shift onto rail

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Measures to promote modal shift can be expected to provide environmental gains through reducing the number of vehicles using and therefore demand on the existing road network. There is also a need to minimise unintended modal shift from walking and cycling to maximise the environmental gains.
High-speed rail for long distance domestic travel is a particularly environmentally sound alternative in contrast to air travel.

Improve the provision of high quality travel information

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Sustainable travel alternatives need to be attractive, available, convenient and cost-effective. The availability of good quality information can positively contribute in this respect and lead to increased use of public transport and associated benefits of modal shift.

Examine whether lower public transport fares would result in modal shift from the private car

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Sustainable travel alternatives need to be attractive, available, convenient and cost-effective. The real cost of motoring has been falling while public transport fares have been increasing. Care would be required in the implementation of this measure to minimise unintended modal shift from walking and cycling to motorised transport.

Promote modal shift from road freight to rail and waterborne freight

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The environmental implications associated with freight transport will be examined in greater detail through the independent SEA process for the freight strategy. It is of significance at this stage to highlight that in a freight context the environmental merits of different modes is intrinsically related to installed technology and logistical characteristics. A shift to rail or water may increase the respective volume of each mode without decreasing road transport and therefore give rise to an overall net negative impact on the environment.

Increase safety and security of travel by all modes

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Sustainable travel alternatives need to be attractive, available, convenient and cost-effective. Concerns about personal safety can discourage people from using public transport, walking or cycling therefore measures to increase safety would be expected to positively encourage modal shift.

Promote the uptake of biofuels

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Biofuels while presenting a more environmentally friendly alternative to conventional fuels are not carbon neutral as there are emissions related to tilling, harvesting and fertilising. To date environmental gains are being offset by a continued growth in traffic and therefore measures to manage demand would also be required to secure the environmental potential presented by biofuels. Significant expansion of the biofuels market would be required for maximum benefits to be realised through more advanced production processes and in the longer-term greater usage of biomass as a feedstock for hydrogen for fuel cells. There is uncertainty in terms of impact on other aspects of the environment on the basis that a measure of this nature would not necessarily address overall traffic levels.

Improve the cleanliness of running motor vehicles

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Improved cleanliness of motor vehicles can be expected to have a positive impact on the environment, especially in terms of air quality and greenhouse gas emissions and associated health benefits to the population. To date environmental gains are being offset by a continued growth in traffic and therefore measures to manage demand would also be required to secure the environmental potential presented. There is uncertainty in terms of impact on other aspects of the environment on the basis that a measure of this nature would not necessarily address overall traffic levels.

Promote cleaner technologies

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Promotion of cleaner technologies can be expected to have a positive impact on the environment, especially in terms of air quality and greenhouse gas emissions and associated health benefits to the population. To date environmental gains are being offset by a continued growth in traffic and therefore measures to manage demand would also be required to secure the environmental potential presented.

Promote park and ride schemes locally

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Initially this would require investment in car park infrastructure, but in the longer term could reduce congestion on the roads. There is however the potential for increased traffic on the road network in close proximity to proposed new sites due to people driving to park and ride sites. The magnitude of the effects on the environment are uncertain as they are largely dependent on site location, who uses the park and ride site and whether the nature of use leads to new car journeys. There are also land take issues associated with the size of the site.

Promote park and ride at railway stations

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Initially this would require investment in car park infrastructure, but
in the longer term could reduce congestion on the roads.
There is however the potential for increased traffic on the road network in close proximity to proposed new sites due to people driving to park and ride sites. The magnitude of the effects on the environment are uncertain as they are largely dependent on who
uses the park and ride site and whether the nature of use leads to new car journeys. There are also land take issues associated with the size of site.

Support innovation at local level in demand management - this could include for example local parking policy or local road pricing

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Magnitude of effects uncertain in that there is the potential for peripheral roads to receive more traffic as drivers seek to avoid roads/areas subject to demand management i.e. problems are displaced from one area to another and not fully addressed. Any impact which does arise is likely to be medium term and reversible with the introduction of appropriate mitigation measures, for example further demand management measures.

Pilot a range of approaches to improve demand management on trunk road network e.g. bus priority or metering access to motorways

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Magnitude of effects uncertain in that there is the potential for the local road network to receive more traffic as drivers seek to avoid roads where demand is managed. Any impact which does arise is likely to be medium term and reversible with introduction of further demand management measures to address any other matters arising.

Consider the effectiveness

of road pricing to manage demand for road space

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Magnitude of effects uncertain in that there is the potential for those roads not subject to road pricing to receive more traffic as drivers seek to avoid payment. Any impact which does arise is likely to be medium term and reversible with the introduction of further demand management measures to address "rat-running" and other issues which may arise.

Examine ways to improve how transport issues are addressed when the location of public services is being considered e.g. schools, hospitals etc.

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Where people choose to live and where businesses, hospitals, supermarkets and other activities choose to locate have a bearing on the transport system and how it is used. Therefore it can be expected that improved integration between transport and land-use planning decisions has the potential to reduce the need to travel and where travel is necessary encourage the use of sustainable options, for example walking, cycling and public transport. Reducing the need to travel has clear benefits to the environment. Consideration of the implications for different areas of the environment should be an integral component of the decision-making stage.

Consider what contribution broadband and flexible working can make to reducing the need to travel

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This measure has obvious benefits to the population and human health in terms of reducing the need to travel for work purposes. There is however an element of uncertainty as to the impact on other areas of the environment as research has found that while there may be a reduction in travel to work there may be an increase in travel for other purposes.

Consider whether more national (as opposed to local) measures to address road safety are required.

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Road safety is particularly beneficial in terms of the population and human health. On the basis that there may be no impact on overall traffic levels there is a degree of uncertainty as to the likely nature of effects arising on other aspects of the environment. However, there is the potential that increasing the attractiveness of walking and cycling and reducing the need for new capacity on the road network would bring indirect positives in environmental terms.