Our study focuses on up to eight new low traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs) due to be implemented in London, plus an equal number of matched control areas (which are areas with very similar characteristics, but which are not getting an LTN). It includes quantitative comparisons between LTN and control areas, and in-depth qualitative research into four selected LTNs. At the end of the first project year (2022), three of the eight LTNs had been implemented (in Camden, Hackney, and Haringey), with two in Newham and Lambeth likely to happen next.
While the study is still at an early stage, we have already collected a range of data both before and after implementation of LTNs. This short report updates readers on data we have collected during 2022, with a focus on go-along interviews (qualitative) and sensor data (quantitative).
The project in numbers, 2022
- 200 miles walked for around 100 hours across four case study areas for the go-along interviews
- approximately 460,800 hours of sensor data collected and cleaned from 32 sensors across 20 months
Quantitative data collection
We have:
- Collected and cleaned data from 32 sensors measuring the number of pedestrians, cyclists and motor vehicles travelling through LTN and control areas each day
- Completed and published a statistical analysis plan related to the analysis of sensor data, which is available here
- Collected data on diversity of people walking and cycling at these locations, as a snapshot taken in June or September at all 32 locations. The diversity criteria include categorising people as adults or as children and categorising by gender
- Collected data from Google API on traffic changes around boundary roads at LTN and control areas. This is being used to measure any changes in travel times and in average speed, by comparing changes in LTN and in control areas
Data from the sensors
The photo shows the movement of cars, bicycles and pedestrians on a street, as observed by one of our sensors over a two hour period. Each individual line represents one road user of that type and the route they took as they crossed the line of view of our sensor.
Our sensors record the number of vehicles and pedestrians passing two locations in each LTN and each matched control area. The aim is that data is continuously collected for an extended period of time both before and after the LTN implementation, so that we can assess its impact on the number of vehicles and pedestrians. Note that we also collect data for other motorised transport modes in addition to cars – Light Goods Vehicles, Other Goods Vehicles and motorbikes. We collect data on the number of each road users travelling in each direction along the road in 15-minute windows every day.
The data that we obtain from the sensors is not the same as video camera data. We cannot identify individual road users – the background photo is a ‘still’ photo taken from an earlier point in time. The background is blurred in such a way that it is impossible to identify individuals or car number plates. As the photo shows, we can see movement of individual road users in certain time periods. However, it is not possible to identify individual people or vehicles from any of the data that we collect from the sensors. The sensors only store anonymous data – numerical data on how many cars, pedestrians and so on pass the sensor, ‘track lines’ showing their routes, and vehicle speeds.
Qualitative data collection
We have conducted 81 go-along interviews with residents living in or near to two LTNs that have been implemented and two areas likely to receive LTNs. Go-along interviews are where we walk or wheel along with residents in their local area talking about their experiences. Residents were notified of the project via leaflets in advance of the interviews. Given the expected variety in views, we conducted a pre-interview survey to ensure a balance/range of individuals were selected for interview, and also sought demographic balance.
We also conducted 22 interviews with stakeholders (local authority officers and councillors) in and outside London about their experience of implementing or trying to implement LTN schemes.
Go-along interviews
The map shows the routes covered by the research team as part of the go-along interviews in Stoke Newington. Routes are chosen by interviewees who take us along a route that they are familiar with. We have recorded the conversations with interviewees and anonymised them. We can connect these anonymised comments to different places along the LTN, near it and on boundary roads. This allows us to map how our participants feel about the local area, and to look at whether, for instance, women and men comment differently about it, without anyone being identifiable.