Research project

Solent Future Transport Zone (FTZ)

Project overview

Solent Transport has been funded by the Department for Transport (DfT) to develop a ‘Future Transport Zone’ (FTZ) for the region. The project runs until mid 2025, and involves developing and trialing innovative transport solutions, including:

(1) ‘Breeze’, an integrated multi-modal platform and Mobility-as-a-service (MaaS) app;

(2) a new range of ‘Solent Go’ travel products;

(3) wide-scale use of hire e-scooters, bikes and e-bikes;

(4) pilot trials of dynamic demand-responsive transport;

(5) new mobility credits incentives;

(6) wider business-to-business engagement for sustainable travel;

(7) freight macro- and micro- consolidation of deliveries; and

(8) drone logistics.

TRG is leading the monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of the overall FTZ programme, working in conjunction with TRL and the University of Portsmouth. The team also engage, report and share insights with NatCen, who lead on the national evaluation of all the UK FTZs on behalf of the DfT. In addition to the annual DfT traffic data, the dedicated M&E traffic and transport ‘Data Explorer’ visualisation and analysis tool has been expanded to encompass:

(1) daily and hourly traffic network information from the available on-road sensors in Portsmouth and Southampton;

(2) data from the Sub Regional Transport Model (SRTM) as provided by SYSTRA;

(3) the Propensity to Cycle Tool as developed by Lovelace and Goodman;

(4) Data on the use of ITSO Smartcards, provided by Unicard.

Further information is available on the main project webpage: https://www.southampton.ac.uk/engineering/research/projects/solent-future-transport-zone-theme-1.page

Staff

Other researchers

Professor John Preston

Professor in Rail Transport

Research interests

  • Demand, capacity and cost modelling for sustainable transport infrastructure.
  • The design, monitoring and evaluation of transport interventions designed to promote sustainable choices.
  • The determination of pathways for future mobility transitions to net zero carbon.
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Professor Jae Wook Kim PhD, FRAeS, FHEA, CEng.

Professor of Aerodynamics&Aeroacoustics

Research interests

  • Aerodynamics
  • Aeroacoustics
  • Compressible Fluid Flow
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Dr Rich McIlroy EngD, C.ErgHF, C.Psychol, FHEA

Senior Research Fellow in MaaS
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Dr Alan Wong

Research Fellow

Research interests

  • the development of people-friendly, sustainable and liveable cities, that inter-link urban with transportation planning;
  • improving the de-carbonisation of road transport, with the associated improvements on air quality;
  • encouraging more sustainable modes of travel, including walking, cycling and taking public transport, with the health benefits these can also bring;
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Collaborating research institutes, centres and groups

Research outputs