Transport planning influences behaviour — whether we intend it to or not.
The real issue is not whether we influence travel behaviour, but how consciously and effectively we do it:
- Are we designing policies and schemes to shape behaviour — or leaving outcomes to chance?
- Why do technically sound solutions underperform when human behaviour is overlooked?
- Why is behaviour change often still treated as specialist work, rather than a core professional responsibility, when it can enhance the outcomes of those very policies and schemes?
- How do we ensure investment translates into real, lasting change in how people travel?
The Influencing Travel Behaviour (ITB) Policy Panel subgroup brings together transport planners, academics and practitioners interested in how understanding and influencing human behaviour can improve transport policy, planning and delivery. The group champions systematic application of behaviour change theory, evidence, models and applied practice, embedded at the heart of transport planning: not applied only through specialist programmes or campaigns, but recognised as fundamental to the profession as a whole.
The group also plays an advocacy role, supporting TPS engagement with national government to promote stronger guidance and frameworks on behaviour change and travel demand management within national transport strategy.
Why influencing travel behaviour matters
Transport planning is fundamentally about shaping choices. Decisions on infrastructure, services, land use, parking, pricing and information all influence how people travel in their everyday lives, with direct implications for access to opportunity, health and wellbeing, sustainable development and carbon emissions. It is at the heart of supporting happier and healthier communities.
At a time of climate urgency, changing travel patterns, public health challenges and constrained funding, technical solutions alone are not enough. Evidence from the UK and internationally shows that transport initiatives are more effective, deliver better value for money and achieve more lasting outcomes when behaviour change theory and practice are embedded alongside infrastructure and service delivery.
To meet these challenges, the transport planning profession is increasingly moving beyond traditional “predict and provide” approaches towards vision‑led, outcome‑focused planning. Recent national planning and transport strategies, guidance and international evidence increasingly recognise the importance of behaviour change and demand management in achieving wider outcomes, including healthier travel choices, active travel and more sustainable communities.
What we focus on
The Influencing Travel Behaviour group works to improve how behaviour change thinking is applied across transport planning by:
- Applying behavioural science to the development, appraisal and delivery of transport policy and schemes
- Reviewing emerging research, national guidance and policy consultations to identify implications and opportunities for travel behaviour and demand management, and to inform TPS engagement with government and stakeholders.
- Promoting integrated approaches, combining infrastructure investment with engagement, scheme ‘activation’ and supportive measures
- Building professional capability by encouraging skills development, training and shared learning across the sector
Where appropriate, the group works closely with other TPS Policy Panel subgroups and external institutions, reflecting the cross‑cutting nature of behaviour change and demand management.
What we’ve been discussing
Recent activity:
– Think Piece (May 2025): From understanding to influencing travel behaviour – if not now, then when?
A profession‑wide reflection on past practice, current challenges and future opportunities for embedding behaviour change thinking in transport planning. Available at https://tps.org.uk/tps-policy/influencing-travel-behaviour-think-piece
– Events and collaboration
Contributing to external engagement and joint activity, including webinars such as “Moments of Change: New homes as a catalyst for embedding sustainable travel” (recording available at https://www.youtube.com/live/xhgZfnbzKbM), as well as forthcoming collaborative work with partner organisations
– Policy influence and advocacy
Reviewing emerging strategies, guidance and consultations, and using group insights to inform TPS responses to national policy.
– Professional insight and capability building
Developing a clearer understanding of where TPS members are currently positioned on behaviour change, including research with a cross‑section of the Policy Panel, to help shape future support and guidance.
Leadership
Chair: Jon Foley
Vice Chair: Rachel Rombough
The wider group includes practitioners from local authorities, consultancies and central government.
Why join the Panel?
Join the Panel to:
- Be part of honest, practitioner led debate
- Learn from peers facing the same challenges
- Contribute to research, policy influence and change
- Help shape the future of transport planning practice