Non-Motorised User (NMU) Audits Overview presentation Hertfordshire Highways Cycling Scrutiny Panel 14 th & 16 th October 2009

Presentation contents What is a Non Motorised User Audit? Current National Standards How it will be applied in Hertfordshire Rollout of NMU Audits in Hertfordshire What are the key benefits Hertfordshire Highways

A process to encourage the consideration of the needs of Non-Motorised Users (NMU’s) NMU’s include: Pedestrians Cyclists Equestrians Disabled users / Powered Wheelchairs For Hertfordshire we will also be including: Elderly people Bus and train users Hertfordshire Highways What is an NMU Audit?

How do we meet the needs of all types of cyclists? e.g school children, commuters, leisure cyclists Identify the types of cyclists in local vicinity Inter-town links - National Cycle Network In-town links – Urban Transport Plans Routes to school programme

Main guidance document - DMRB HD 42/05 This is a Highways Agency document that describes the requirements for NMU Audits for all trunk road schemes including Motorways. Main objectives of NMU audit are to: Encourage the design team to take all reasonable opportunities to improve the service offered to NMU’s Prevent conditions for NMU’s being worsened by the introduction of Highway schemes Document design decisions that affect NMU’s Hertfordshire Highways Current National Standards

It should consider the implications of schemes for NMU: Accessibility Safety Comfort Convenience Systematic process Identify scheme objectives for NMU’s Document design decisions Review design and construction to assess scheme objectives Hertfordshire Highways What is an NMU Audit?

HD 42/05 identifies 4 main stages Stage 1 - Context report Collation of background information of relevance to NMU’s Stage 2, 3 & 4 - NMU Audit reports The consideration of NMU’s at various stages within the design process, typically: Preliminary design Detailed design Completion of construction Hertfordshire Highways Current National Standards

To ensure a cost efficient introduction of NMU audit into HCC schemes, a streamed approach is proposed, depending on the type of works undertaken. Context Report The items required will be included within our standard feasibility reports. (Includes information from The Strategic Accessibility Audit eg trip generators (hospitals, schools, employment, shopping etc)) NMU Audit Reports These will be covered by our existing checking process, and should provide a means of documenting design decisions in a formal and consistent manner. Both of these should be an integral part of the design and demonstrate key design decisions. Hertfordshire Highways How are we going to apply this in Herts

The information identified for inclusion in the context report element of HD 42/05 will be recorded in the standard feasibility report (HS3). Produced at earliest possible stage and may include information such as: - Flows of NMU’s Flows and speeds of traffic Desire lines / End destinations Accident data Strategies and policies NCN routes or other routes that provide for NMU’s Views of user groups, police, public transport operators etc Hertfordshire Highways Context Report

Major schemes These should follow the full HD 42/05 process. Integrated Transport Project (ITP) Schemes It is proposed that these will follow the process outlined in this presentation. Trials are underway in a selection of feasibility reports. These are to be reviewed prior to agreeing process. Other Schemes (e.g. maintenance/development) Currently developing a process to cover these areas of work. Hertfordshire Highways Rollout within Hertfordshire

The NMU Audit aspect of HD 42/05 will be covered through the existing checking processes. Designs will be checked against agreed criteria and any exceptions will be highlighted. Any decisions that affect NMU’s will then be recorded on the project files. Hertfordshire Highways Audits

What is being done to consider the needs of cyclists in all highway works? As part of Hertfordshire’s Cycling Strategy there is an identified need for a Non Motorised User Audit (HS4) The user audit should work in accordance of the ‘hierarchy of solutions’ (HS5) The context (feasibility) aspect of the audit should capture the policies/programmes and targets of any transport project (HS1)

A more consistent approach to accommodating the needs of non motorised users. NMU’s will be considered throughout the design process. Any design decisions affecting NMU’s will be recorded. Hertfordshire Highways What are the key benefits

Questions? Hertfordshire Highways