Reliance on private cars and conventional delivery vehicles, particularly in dense, urban environments needs to be reduced. However, the number of licensed vehicles in the UK is rising as is South Yorkshire’s population. The potential for the number of cars and the congestion, particularly around urban centres is still increasing.
Growing pressure on South Yorkshire’s roads could be relieved by modal shifts for short distance journeys to minimise traffic congestion and improve air quality. Growing population density should also be seen as an opportunity to increase the use, and economic viability, of public, active and accessible transport and its infrastructure in South Yorkshire where residents have equal opportunity to travel when, where, and how they want, at affordable costs.
SYSC’s Developing Transport Routes project explored how transport infrastructure could be developed to improve accessibility to places and opportunities, whilst reducing carbon emissions and improving health and wellbeing. It looked to model economic aspects (e.g. the need to connect production and residential areas) as well as the environmental sustainability of the transport network.
Key Insights
As part of SYSC’s Consolidated Research Report, two case studies have explored the future of transport systems in South Yorkshire. “Cleaner Journeys, Smarter Cities” looks at developing a multi-layer transport model in South Yorkshire that optimises modal shifts. “South Yorkshire’s Public Transport Network and Distributive Justice” explored which communities in the region face poor job opportunities based on accessibility.
SYSC has developed a decision-support tool designed to model the complex trade-offs between journey enjoyability and travel time. By testing the idea that higher-quality travel experiences reduce the user's fixation on speed, the tool identifies specific routes where commuters are most likely to switch from private vehicles to walking, cycling, or public transport. Once fully optimised, this tool will allow planners to simulate regional scenarios, such as designing active travel corridors or testing low-traffic zones, to strategically shift behavior away from car dependency and toward more sustainable modes of transport.
SYSC’s research into the South Yorkshire public transport network highlights significant barriers to accessibility and affordability, particularly for younger populations and shift workers. The study found that age is a primary predictor of financial strain, with up to 44% of people in the Sheffield region struggling to pay transport bills. Furthermore, those working "off-peak" hours in sectors like healthcare or warehousing face drastic drops in accessibility. These findings underscore a critical gap in the current system, where those without private vehicles are often marginalised by a network that favours high-demand, peak-hour routes.
Achieving net-zero and public health goals requires a nuanced approach that moves beyond "motor-normativity." While electric vehicles (EVs) are part of the solution, poorly planned infrastructure, such as pavement-blocking charging points, could inadvertently hinder active travel targets. By prioritising the rights of those who walk, wheel, and cycle, and exploring community-owned energy models, the region can foster a more equitable system. Ultimately, true improvements in air quality and journey experience can only be realised by reducing the total number of cars on the road and focusing on the diverse factors, like safety and comfort, that truly drive modal shift.
View the case studies in full below:
