1. TravelWise West Midlands Website An Introduction www.travelwisewestmids.org.uk Andy Thorpe Sandwell MBC

2. How did we get here? Launched in April 2012….once again! Same address: www.travelwisewestmids.org.uk Based on the innovative Community TravelWise website Also schools, residential developments and companies – 5 website addresses potentially! All websites under one umbrella / portal

5. Why did we start the journey? Same as most organisations, to provide information How to travel in healthy and environmentally friendly ways and provide information about TravelWise activities To overcome the barriers to accessing helpful but “buried” information, ie many websites/pages Not just well-meant words on sustainable travel We needed a useful tool for use by the public etc

6. What does it do? The website provides information on: - sustainable travel and TravelWise - different methods of transport in particular areas - news and events - carbon, calories and car costs calculators - links to the Company, School, Residential and Community areas with own travel related web pages Organisations can set up their own pages (free!)

7. How do I use it? Sustainable Travel and TravelWise - Banner on the right hand side - Navigation bar “About TravelWise” and “Smarter Choices?” Travel Information - Mode of transport pages with journey planners -District based information – drop down list -Alternatives to travel

8. How do I use it? News -Use navigation bar on home-page -Most recent story highlighted, plus a link to the ACT TravelWise news page - regularly updated Events -Click on calendar dates -Look at the list - all the main sustainable travel events are listed Calories, Carbon and Car Costs Calculators -Use links at the base of the home-page

9. How do I use it? Company, School, Residential and Community Areas -Please feel free to register your organisation! -From homepage click on “enlist your business today” then use the wizard to help with setting up page -“Get Directions” - quickly plan journeys -Dedicated travel page for staff, visitors, interviewees Online travel surveys module - useful for Travel Plans -Core questions -Survey is sent by email

20. Where do we want to go next? Useful resource, but still room for improvement Increase number of visits from the general public, employees, residents, schools, community groups Companies and business parks to register with the site…..and then to tell others about how useful it is! Website to be regarded as the main reference point for general journey planning

21. It’s your turn to drive! Bound to be mistakes so please let us know Would like to make improvements to the website, to ensure effective connection with people When using the website and promoting it to people, think about possible different approaches then let us know: andy_thorpe@sandwell.gov.uk mike.cooper@birmingham.gov.uk www.travelwisewestmids.org.ukwww.travelwisewestmids.org.uk “Contact Us”