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Research undertaken by the LRC on `low carbon logistics' has informed UK government policy on the environmental impact of freight transport, altered the official method used in the UK to carbon audit road freight transport operations, provided guidance to industry on the measurement and management of freight-related CO2 emissions and resulted in the establishment of the first industry and government-endorsed target for cutting the carbon intensity of road freight transport.
Research undertaken by the Institute for Transport Studies (ITS) at the University of Leeds from 1995 to 2012 has demonstrated that in-vehicle intelligent speed adaption (ISA) - technology to discourage or restrict speeding - reduces drivers' propensity to speed and consequently can dramatically reduce injury and fatality risk. ITS Leeds research has also shown the environmental benefits of these systems and their high acceptance by users and the public. This evidence has led policy-makers at national, European and international levels to advocate ISA adoption. A key impact has been Euro NCAP's decision in 2013 - directly informed by the ITS Leeds research - to explicitly recognise ISA within the safety ratings of new cars. To this end, the ITS Leeds research has informed a significant change to European-wide `quasi-regulation' and, through encouragement to car manufacturers, imposed lasting influence on the safety features of new cars.
Fundamental work on transmission and power management systems for electric vehicles has resulted in local and national impact with emerging international reach. Computer simulation and rig-based prototype modelling has shown that it is possible to improve overall energy consumption levels by around 5 to 12 % by using a variable ratio gearbox within an electric vehicle. A local company, AVID Vehicles Ltd have demonstrated the potential of this work in the conversion of a Nissan Note supplied by Nissan Motors UK Ltd into an electric powered car. This, and related, work on hybrid vehicles has gained international recognition and has been used as the basis for further developments, including regional impact with Sunderland Council, and influencing regional strategy.
Research at Bath has developed a new network charging methodology, known as "Long Run Incremental Cost (LRIC) pricing for electricity distribution systems". The methodology enables the calculation of location-specific annual network charges for electricity generators and suppliers. It has replaced the flat-rate charging approach used by the industry for the previous 25 years. Bath's work on LRIC has led to: 1) major impact on government policy, because in 2008 the UK regulator Ofgem required Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) to adopt LRIC as an industry standard, using the evidence provided by Bath that LRIC's uptake can lead to efficiency savings over the next 20 years of about £200 million for DNOs, and 2) major impact on industrial practice, because the subsequent industrial adoption of LRIC over 80% of the UK distribution area has enabled the DNOs to promote efficient use of the existing infrastructure. Further, LRIC's adoption in the UK has triggered a wide review of transmission and distribution pricing in countries including Brazil, Ireland, India and China. It also led to the establishment of the IEEE International Working Group on Network Charging, chaired by Li (Bath). Many of LRIC's key researchers at Bath have subsequently taken key roles in network planning and pricing in UK and international industry.
The Transport Research Institute at Edinburgh Napier University (TRI) recognises the importance of taxi research, developing a series of models since 2002. Parallel pressures within the regulation of the mode, and disruptive forms of access, necessitate measurable and repeatable analysis. Beneficiaries include the travelling public, as regulations are developed and applied, regulators, informing policy direction; operators and drivers as the market for services changes.
TRI models provide detailed analysis of the market. The market-model, with its economic, cost and operational sub-models, has developed to support live issues, and is applied in the UK, EU and North America.
This case study focuses on research into how sectors such as automotive and clothing are restructuring themselves, the consequences for communities, and the implications for industrial and regional policy responses. Impact has been achieved through: directly informing and shaping government policy and strategy; recommendations applied by government organisations and agencies; and through direct benefit to organisations and communities. Three linked areas where impact is evidenced are highlighted: industrial policy for traditional and emerging sectors; policy for funding and developing sub-regional economic development structures; and policy for dealing with economic shocks.
Impact: Policy. First ever Scottish and UK Government estimates for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from Agriculture, Land Use change and Forestry (ALUF) in Scotland and the UK to 2020.
Significance: The global policy agenda on greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions requires governments to seek ways to reduce emissions cost-effectively. Scotland and the UK have statutory targets on emissions reduction. The research showed which measures can be implemented at a cost that is less than the government's benchmark. It has saved the equivalent of £250 million worth of avoided climate damages.
Beneficiaries: Government departments and policy makers, farmers, general population.
Attribution: Intra-disciplinary work by Prof. Moran, Dr. Wall (SRUC).
Reach: Immediate impact at Scottish and UK national level has led, by repute, to a broadening of impact (through extension of the underlying methods) for applications internationally (i.e. France).
Research undertaken by the Institute for Transport Studies (ITS) at the University of Leeds from 1997 to 2013 has played a key role in developing the methods and evidence base for demand forecasting and economic appraisal in transport. The primary impact of this research has been changes to official guidance Manuals, which are prescribed to scheme promoters, operators, consultants and other agents. In applying these Manuals, a secondary research impact has been to improve the quality of transport decision-making and Value for Money (VfM) of public expenditure. Against this background, ITS Leeds research has achieved the following impacts throughout the period 2008 to 2013 (and ongoing):