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Social research and evaluation

The Social Research and Evaluation (SRE) division of DfT consists of a team of eight professional social researchers who are members of the Government Social Research service (GSR). Our aim is to provide timely, relevant and high quality social research and policy evaluation, in order to ensure that decisions on transport policy are made in light of the best possible evidence.

The work of SRE is cross-cutting and so covers a wide range of DfT policy areas. We work with -and our research complements that of- the Department's economists, statisticians, operational researchers and scientists. Our role includes commissioning, managing and conducting high quality social research and policy evaluation, and advising staff across DfT.

Social research generates data and analysis using the methods of social science such as social surveys, focus groups, in-depth interviews, case studies and innovative methods such as deliberative research. In addition to these methods, policy evaluation also involves cost-benefit analyses, and measures the delivery of policies and initiatives against objectives. This enables DfT to better understand policy impacts and outcomes, and lessons learned can then be applied to improve DfT policies and services in the future.

Follow this link for The Strategy, Economics and Mobility Unit Evidence and Research Strategy which includes information about our research programme, including planned research

Follow the links below to access our research reports.

2009

Assessing Social and Distributional Impacts in Transport (March)

Understanding airport passenger experience (March)

Exploring public attitudes to climate change and travel choices: deliberative research (January)

The needs, attitudes and travel behaviours of teleworkers (January)

The travel needs of low income households: the role of the car (January)

2008

Travel behaviour, experiences and aspirations of disabled people (October)

Public acceptability of road pricing (May)

Understanding public attitudes to new technologies (May)

Perception of congestion on motorways (May)

Exploring public attitudes to personal carbon dioxide emission information (January)

2007

Understanding the travel needs, behaviour and aspirations of people in later life (November)

Understanding the travel aspirations, needs and behaviour of young adults (November)

Evidence base review on mobility: Choices and barriers for different social groups (June)

Understanding the social and distributional impacts of road pricing (June)

2006

Research Findings: Attitudes to Transport Security After Jul 05 London Bombings (December)

A review of public attitudes to climate change and transport behaviour (August)

2005

Understanding Community Severance I: Views of Practitioners and Communities (November)

Understanding Community Severance II: Monetisation of Severance impacts (November)

Feasibility Study on the Ex-Post Evaluation of Trunk Road Schemes (July)

Review of Social Research

2004

Road User Charging - Pricing Structures  (September)

Local Strategic Partnerships, Transport & Accessibility Issues Paper (June)

Public attitudes to road pricing in the UK: a qualitative study (June)

Evidence-Base Review - Attitudes to Road Pricing (May)

The Integration of Regional Transport Strategies with Spatial Planning Policies  (March)

The Role of Transport in City Competitiveness (January)

The Importance of Transport in Business' Location Decisions (January)