The whole principle behind our system is to implement the idea of sustainability within the local community. We hope that by encouraging exercise and reducing pollution and congestion, we will be able to reduce the impact we have on the environment, at both a macro, micro and meso scale. To further this, we propose to alter the planning of the area, making the extra space provided by reducing the road to two lanes of traffic into planted green banks, where people can sit and socialise. This will not only make the journey along this section of road more pleasant, but will also help to combat carbon emissions and will change people’s behaviour along this route, making them slow down and appreciate their surroundings environment.
We propose that the travelators would begin at the Wilmslow Road-Moseley Road junction in Fallowfield, as this is where the majority of Manchester students live. This system would run along Oxford Road until its crossroads with Booth Street West/East.
In addition to installing the travelators running along both directions, we want to reduce the four lanes of traffic down to two. This will mean there is one lane running in each direction, with only buses being allowed access to these lanes. In terms of city planning, cars will be forced to use the surrounding roads, resulting in an overall reduction in congestion and pollution. To implement this, the number of buses running along this route are to be reduced from one every 30 seconds, to one every 2 minutes. From analysing and experiencing the everyday life of transport along this route, we believe that this change would be more sufficient and successful in the long run. This travel system will enable students to get to university more quickly and efficiently, as well as encouraging them to exercise more.
All of the public will be able to utilise the travelator system, as well as use the buses, if necessary. This means that no social groups will be ostracised from the system. Infact, we hope that the proposal makes it easier, for not only the students, but also will allow those, such as the elderly and families, to get to town more quickly.
