Transforming Strategic Active Travel Network Planning Internationally

Research project to inform a Case Study for REF 2029 Submission

Published

September 3, 2026

Impact Case Study: Transforming Strategic Active Travel Network Planning Internationally

Introduction

The development of open-source tools and methodologies for strategic active travel network planning has changed transport planning practices internationally. As documented in a 2021 Impact Case Study, the Propensity to Cycle Tool (PCT) in England and Wales has influenced how millions of pounds are invested in active travel infrastructure, leading to more joined-up networks, better cycling conditions, and increased cycling uptake.

The purpose of this project is to research the impacts of methods and tools developed at the University of Leeds since then. The research has been used as the basis for the following tools:

  • The Norwegian Propensity to Cycle Tool - A study modeling cycling potential in Trondheim and Nord-Jæren using Propensity to Cycle Tool methodology to calculate scenarios for increased everyday cycling.
  • CRUSE - The Cycle Route Uptake & Scenario Estimation tool for Ireland, showing cycling trip percentages by county and cycle networks under different scenarios for everyday trips and cycle tourism.
  • biclaR - A cycle network planning tool for the Lisbon Metropolitan Area that shows existing and planned cycling infrastructure alongside modeling cycling trip potential by municipality.
  • Network Planning Tool for Scotland - A web-based application designed to support strategic cycle network planning and investment decisions, primarily for use by Scottish local authorities.

Latest Findings (2026 Proof-of-Concept)

Our recent 2026 data re-run evaluated evidence of tool adoption across Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans (LCWIPs) in England and matched them with official UK Government Active Travel Fund (ATF) capital and revenue allocations:

  • 91% Adoption Rate: 91% of analysed transport authority regions explicitly use the PCT, referencing it an average of 12 times per strategy document.
  • 95% Substantive Use: Among authorities with measurable depth-of-use scores, 95% demonstrate substantive application (route prioritisation, desire line validation, scenario modeling) rather than token citation.
  • 93%–95% Funding Linkage: 93% of current ATF funding (£2020–2025) and 95% of future multi-year allocations (£2026–2030) are directed to authorities whose planning documents embed the PCT.
  • Substantially Higher Allocations: Authorities embedding the PCT received an average of £9.4m in funding compared to £4.5m for non-adopting authorities.

Explore the detailed findings: - REF 2029 Impact Case Study Report — Full impact case study report, interactive depth-of-use map, and ranked funding tables. - 2026 Ingest & Funding Analysis — Reproducible data ingest pipeline, entity reconciliation, and interactive authority dataset.

Research Questions

The tools have been adopted by transport planners, policy-makers, and advocacy groups internationally, influencing substantial amounts of active travel infrastructure investment. The research project described in this website aims to answer the questions:

  • What tools and methods have been developed, building on the underlying research?
  • Who is using the tools and methods?
  • How much has been invested in active travel in general and cycle infrastructure in particular in countries benefiting from the tools and methods?
  • What proportion of the investment in active travel infrastructure has been influenced by the tools and methods?
  • How have investment and design decisions changed as a result of the tools and methods?
  • How has the research influenced international transport policy and funding frameworks?