Anna Strempel Brunswick Oct 26, 2005 22:23 pm

Hi,

I'm currently designing an evaluation brief for a travel behaviour change project at the local government (Council/County) level, based on CBSM principles. The project will aim to increase the uptake of sustainable modes among users of a local 'activity centre' - defined as areas that "Provide the focus for services, employment and social interaction in cities and towns. They are where people shop, work, meet, relax and often live. Usually well-served by public transport, they range in size and intensity of use from local neighbourhood strip shopping centres to traditional universities and major regional malls." http://www.dse.vic.gov.au/melbourne2030online/content/appendix/02_glossa ry.html The project will use a range of methods to influence behaviour change, including small changes to infrastructure, information campaigns, safety improvements and incentive programs, based upon the feedback obtained in the initial consultation stage. I am interested in hearing suggestions on how to measure the influence of this particular set of interventions as separate from external, broader influences such as rising petrol prices and other travel-based programs being delivered throughout metropolitan Melbourne. It will be difficult to identify control groups, as the proposed methods will potentially impact upon all users of the activity centre, and because the target groups are very diffuse (e.g, persons who currently drive to/from the activity centre). I had considered selecting a control group from a different activity centre with a similar demographic, accessibility and availability of services but I'm not sure how useful that would actually be, as the most appropriate examples that I can think of are also being targeted by various travel-related programs. Any suggestions will be gratefully accepted, feel free to email me off-list.

Anna Strempel

Community Project Worker
Moreland Energy Foundation Ltd
PO Box 276 Brunswick VIC 3056
Ph: (03) 9381 1722
Fax: (03) 9381 1733
[email protected]
www.mefl.com.au