Rules of Thumb - Give People Transport Choices

Rules of Thumb	Key Indicator / Prompt
Plan ahead with the Highway and Planning Authorities; public transport operators and service providers.	Have you spoken to the local authority highways department and/or bus/rail operator about your scheme? Have you consulted the development plan and local transport plan to identify local transport schemes and policies? Can you scheme link with local transport initiatives? Is there a rural transport partnership in you area - and have you contacted them? Contact the local authority to determine whether your development will have a significant impact on transport networks - prepare a (green) travel plan to encourage end users to travel by walking, cycling and public transport.
Design for maximum safety, convenience and amenity.	Have you considered the general public and analysed what facilities and places need to be connected - new and existing? Is the signing and lighting adequate and is it in the right location? Are road crossings safe and convenient? Does development layout make it easy and safe to cycle and walk? Is visible, secure cycle storage provided - can bikes be stored within the houses? Do the buildings have active frontages - doors that open onto the street and windows overlooking the street, good lighting, uses that will be used at all times of the day and night (i.e. a mix of shops and houses)? Is there a maintenance and management programme in place.
Reduce traffic impacts.	Design the layout of the buildings first - fit the streets and junctions around the building form - avoid standard highway solutions. Avoid dedicated parking - provide areas of shared parking e.g. used by shops in the day and cinema goers at night. Is the parking in the right place - minimise visual impact through siting and landscaping, and design to allow future development for non-parking uses? Aim for all residents and workers to be a 5 minute walk from a bus stop, and a 10 minute walk from a train station or local centre. Does your development include features for the mobility impaired, such as ramps, speaking pedestrian crossings, Braille signs?

The above 'Rules of Thumb' relate to 'Giving People Transport Choices' as described within the Sustainability Guide.