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Consultant collects award for school travel plan study

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MVA Consultancy senior consultant Louise Smith has been recognised after developing a dissertation on the success of school travel plans.

The 27-year-old, who has worked for MVA for the past six years, won the W.S Atkins prize for best Dissertation whilst undertaking a Masters in Transport Planning and Traffic Engineering at the University of Southampton.

The study developed case studies on ten schools in London and used a multi-method approach to focus on understanding the factors affecting the success of school travel plans and barriers to their successful implementation.

The research took account of how pupil household characteristics, socio-economic make-up of the local area and the distance between home and school influence mode choice on the journey to school.

It also investigated how trip chaining increases the likelihood of travelling by car on the journey to school.

The dissertation concluded that the success of travel plans depended on how well it was enforced by the school and the area in which the school was located.

Louise, who received a £250 cheque for winning the prize which was open to all students undertaking the Masters course, said: “It is very pleasing to complete my Masters and have my dissertation recognised amongst my peers.

“I have studied part-time whilst working at MVA for the past two years and the course has been extremely effective in developing my transport planning capabilities.

“Developing the dissertation has also enabled me to develop considerable experience in not only the factors which contribute to the success of school travel plans, but the development of travel plans for all modes of business.

“I now very much look forward to applying this gained experience across a number of sectors as part of MVA’s development planning team.”

Information for Editors:

Industry-leader MVA Consultancy provides advice on transport and other policy areas, to central, regional and local government, agencies, developers, operators and financiers

 A diverse group of results-oriented people, we are part of a 500-strong team worldwide. Through client business planning, customer research and strategy development we create solutions that work for real people in the real world.

For further information please contact:

Emma O'Sullivan on 01483 742925
or email eosullivan@mvaconsultancy.com

or

Sarah White on 01483 742975
or email swhite@mvaconsultancy.com

22 July 2009