Definition / Classification of Soft Measures

In the field of sustainable mobility, “soft measures” are distinguished from “hard measures”, such as infrastructures (tramway lines, bus networks, new vehicles…). Typically, soft measures are the promotion, awareness raising, provision of information so as to increase levels of walking, cycling, car sharing, use of public transport and to encourage a reduction in the use of the private car.

The principal activity for soft measures implementation is often called mobility management, which gathers together the following activities:

Awareness and education:

Aim: To make people aware of the adverse impacts of traffic, of the existence of sustainable modes and their potential to fulfil individual mobility needs.

MIDAS examples: accompaniment of school travel plans in Suceava; urban travel plan exhibitions in local municipalities of the suburban area in Clermont-Ferrand.

Participation and consultation:

Aim: To associate the local stakeholders in a common reflection to assess the local context and organise the development of sustainable mobility.

MIDAS examples: travel conference in Clermont-Ferrand; web-based survey in Cork; short list of problems and requests for the supply of bicycle facilities and public transport services in Aalborg.

Information and advice:

Aim: To inform the population in general, or targeted groups, of the alternatives to the private car and to give them the necessary advice that they need to change their travel habits towards sustainable modes.

MIDAS examples: intermodal guide of Clermont-Ferrand; vademecum of mobility and creation of a “Sustainable Mobility Zone” in Bologna; direct marketing and personalised travel information in Aalborg.

Planning and coordination:

Aim: To integrate sustainable transport issues into urban policies and to organise mobility patterns through an integrated supply of transport modes in a specific area, at different scales, and for different target groups.

MIDAS examples: review of land use and transport plans in the 6 cities to assess the integration of mobility issues.

Implementation of Soft and Associated measures:

Soft measures are often linked to other measures, structures and technologies helping people to change their travel behaviour towards more sustainable options. These include cycle lanes, information systems, integrated pricing, innovative incentives, bike rental, pedestrian areas etc.

Many examples of these measures are in progress or about to be implemented in the MIDAS cities. Details are given in the tables below:

SOFT MEASURES MIDAS CITIES
Main categories Measures Aalborg
(DK)		 Cork
(IE)		 Liverpool (UK) Bologna (IT) Clermont-Ferrand
(FR)		 Suceava
(RO)
Education & Awareness School travel awareness           x
  Cycle training     x      
  Education campaigns         x  
Participation & Consultation Focus groups / steering committees /
workshops between stakeholders		 x   x x x x
  Public surveys (web based, leaflets, questionnaires, interviews) x x   x    
Information, advice,& marketing Direct marketing / individualised marketing x   x      
  Communication tools
(guides, leaflets, web tools, GPS-tools)		 x x x   x x
  One-way Information (TV, radio, newspapers, maps, folders…) x   x x   x
  Public information meetings / exhibitions   x     x x
  Promotion activities x          
  Marketing and awareness campaigns x x x x x x
  Awareness of sustainable transport issues       x x x
Planning & coordination Travel plans
(school, workplace, urban, residential)		     x   x x
  Land-use plans (transport integration)     x      
  Transport policies / programmes / plans   x     x  
  Working with developers     x      

The measures listed below are not all part of the MIDAS soft measures, however they may be used in the categories above.

ASSOCIATED MEASURES MIDAS CITIES
Main categories Measures Aalborg
(DK)		 Cork
(IE)		 Liverpool (UK) Bologna (IT) Clermont-Ferrand
(FR)		 Suceava
(RO)
Soft implementations Cycling facilities (rental, dedicated paths, secure parking, etc.)       x x  
  Pedestrianisation and walking facilities (paths, security, shelters, etc.)           x
  Car-sharing facilities (internet services, reserved parking for car-sharers, etc.) x   x x x  
  Public transport information systems
(Real Time Passenger Information, online journey planning)		 x   x x x  
  Integrated travel services (mobility management centres, smartcards, etc.) x   x x x  
  Incentives for alternatives to private cars (Variable Message Signs at roadside, etc.)       x    
  Car pooling / car clubs facilities x   x      
  Logistics / freight facilities (Clean Zone regulations, loading time restrictions, access control, tonnage limits, etc.) x     x x  
  Vehicle technology (CRT particular filters, clean / bio fuels, etc.)           x
  Car parking (restrictions, charges, provision, etc.)     x x    

 

 

Supported by: Intelligent Energy