Researchers from the University of Aberdeen will be in Edinburgh this week for a one-day conference where they will join leading figures with a vested interest in transport research.
The conference, Demand Responsive Transport – European Best Practice, is being held tomorrow (Wednesday, October 17), and will be attended by nearly 100 delegates including policy makers, politicians, regional transport partnerships, local authorities, transport operators, voluntary organisations, community groups, academics and transport consultants.
The term Demand Responsive Transport (DRT) is becoming more commonplace throughout the UK and Europe. However, the definition and understanding of the concept can be quite different from area to area. What is the potential for the concept in Scotland? Is it small community transport services meeting the needs of people with mobility problems? Or the development of taxi bus services? Can it work in both rural and urban areas? Can DRT be efficient as a single mode, single client group solution? Is it more cost-effective to deliver multi-modal solutions coordinated through Regional Transport Dispatch Centres' (TDCs)? What opportunities will arise for Scottish Transport providers? These questions, along with other pressing issues, will all come under the spotlight and be addressed at tomorrow's event.
A leading transport research expert from the University of Aberdeen is presenting at the event, along with speakers from Finland, Belgium, Italy, Ireland and Scotland. John Nelson, Professor of Transport Studies, joined the University in July this year as part of a major investment in the field of transport research and heads up the new Centre for Transport Research. He will be discussing the future development of DRT in Scotland and the UK. Ahead of the conference he said: "This event will be a whole new way of looking at public transport. It is an ideal chance for organisations to find out about the real opportunities for improving services and how Demand Responsive Transport can benefit communities throughout Scotland. It will give people involved in the delivery of Scottish Transport Services the opportunity to meet representatives from organisations from other EU countries."
Brian Masson, Honorary Research Fellow, for the Centre for Transport Research at the University, has been instrumental in organising this week's conference. He said: "The main purpose of the all-day Demand Responsive Transport conference will be to promote existing best practice from within the UK and Europe, covering all aspects of DRT and TDC operations."
The Scottish Government is exploring the possibility of a national DRT framework for Scotland. What might this look like? How can we learn from best practice from Europe and the rest of the world? What opportunities will arise for Scottish transport providers? Transport Minister, Stewart Stevenson, will deliver a keynote speech and it is envisaged that he will be announcing support for a national framework for Demand Responsive Transport at the conference.
Tomorrow's conference takes place between 9.00am and 4.30pm at the Royal Highland Centre, Highland Hall, Ingliston, Edinburgh.
At a follow-up event in November, eight workshop sessions will be held to allow delegates to participate in the full programme. There will also be an opportunity for attendees to visit displays of accessible vehicles, communication and dispatching technologies. The workshops will take place on November 26 and 27, at the same venue as above.