Transport Direct is a major Government initiative announced in the ten year spending plan for transport. It will take forward the development of an integrated multi-modal (highway and public transport) traveller information service. This will be very widely available with notable use of the Internet. The service is intended to cover journey planning, booking, payment and real-time updates across all modes.
The Department of Transport, Local Government & the Regions has commissioned a review of existing research relating to the aims of Transport Direct from Southampton University's Transportation Research Group. The work is being carried out in co-operation with consultants John Austin of Austin Analytics and Alastair Duff.

The review is aimed at ensuring that the Department is fully aware of all existing research, looking at both coverage and findings. The Department is keen to benefit from established results in developing its Transport Direct programme; it also needs to identify those areas which might still need specific research. As part of its work, the study team will establish a full database of research in the field, which the Department can use and expand in its future work.

"We are aware that a lot is going on in this field and the pace is picking up" said Dr Glenn Lyons of the Transportation Research Group, who is managing the project. "We are anxious to identify all key initiatives and so intend to look at a wide range of sources, as well as contacting many organisations and individuals, to produce a comprehensive database. Our primary focus is on services provided through a variety of electronic means, directly to consumers and also to such providers as enquiry offices and local retail centres; but we are interested in any type of information provision."

The study team would be interested to hear from anyone who has carried out work in this field or who has information that might be relevant. Anyone who can help is invited to contact Reg Harman (telephone 01992 415 248 or e-mail reg.harman@ntlworld.com). A report will be produced based on the review of existing research and will be made publicly available

[Glenn Lyons - Transportation Research Group - 02380 594657 - G.Lyons@soton.ac.uk]