New standard commissioned on travel plans
Press release - 8 May 2008
London European Partnership for Transport (LEPT) commissions BSI British Standards to develop a National Standard for Travel Plans
LEPT has engaged BSI British Standards to develop a new Publicly Available Specification (PAS 500) for Travel Plans which will encourage more environmentally friendly transport.
The new standard will build on existing best practice and experience from the field, and will specify certain key elements of Travel Plans. This announcement comes as a government report – the King report - recommends that all large public sector bodies should have a workplace travel plan in place by 2010.
Travel Plans can be designed and used by a workplace or other organization to encourage safe, healthy and sustainable travel options. By reducing unnecessary car travel, Travel Plans can improve individual health and wellbeing, make more efficient use of car parking space, improve efficiencies and make a positive contribution to the community and environment.
An independent BSI steering group representing a cross-section of the industry will review and provide feedback on the best practice specification before it goes through BSI’s proven two-stage stakeholder consultation process. Organizations on the steering group include: LEPT, Department for Transport, National Business Travel Network, ACT Travelwise, Transport for London and an independent expert in this field.
Publication of the new PAS (Publicly Available Specification) is expected in November 2008.
Commenting on the new standard, Paul Henderson, European Project Manager at LEPT, said, “We believe that the development of a national standard for this industry will improve the quality and effectiveness of travel plans, and provide a valuable resource that travel plan professionals can rely on. We look forward to engaging with key stakeholders to ensure that the standard is fit for purpose and a true benefit to travel planning.”
Mike Low, Director of BSI British Standards, comments: “BSI British Standards is pleased to be working with LEPT on this important first step towards a standard for Travel Plans. The PAS will enable both public and private organizations to better understand the need for Travel Plans to support the whole ‘Green’ transport agenda.”
A Publicly Available Specification (PAS) is a sponsored fast-track standard driven by the needs of the client organisations and developed according to guidelines set out by BSI. Key stakeholders are brought together to collaboratively produce a BSI-endorsed PAS that has all the functionality of a British Standard for the purposes of creating management systems, product benchmarks and codes of practice. After two years the PAS is reviewed and a decision is made as to whether it should be taken forward to become a formal British Standard.
About BSI Group
BSI British Standards is part of BSI Group, a global independent business services organization that inspires confidence and delivers assurance to customers with standards-based solutions. Originating as the world’s first national standards body, the Group has over 2,300 staff operating in over 120 countries through more than 50 global offices. The Group’s key offerings are:
- The development and sale of private, national and international standards and supporting information
- Second and third-party management systems assessment and certification
- Product testing and certification of services and products
- Performance management software solutions
- Training services in support of standards implementation and business best practice.
For further information please visit www.bsigroup.com.
