How to goSmarter?

Go smarter is about making small changes when and where appropriate. For most people there are ways that they can travel less often or more wisely. Many of us make unnecessary trips without realising it. Just think of how many trips you made last week and for what reasons you made those trips. Could any of them have been combined? Could any of them have been eliminated?

Linking trips together

One option is to combine trips to make more efficient use of your time. This is sometimes called travel blending or trip chaining. We often unconsciously do this; for example, if you’re going to the local shops you may plan to stop at the library on the way home rather than make two separate trips.

Reducing the number of trips we make:

By planning ahead we can reduce unnecessary travel. Ways to reduce your number of trips include:

• Planning to do all your shopping or business in one trip
• Asking someone else to run an errand for you if they are going to the same place
• Working from home or teleworking
• Working a compressed working week, for example, work 9 days in a fortnight so that you don’t have to travel to work on that last day.

Off Peak Travel:

Travelling at morning or afternoon peak periods can be frustrating and expensive. Planning your day to travel outside of peak time will save you both time and money. You may be able to discuss the option of working flexible hours with your employer.

Shorter Trips:

When you travel further than you need to it wastes time and costs more money. For example, when out shopping for a bargain, that “special” price may no longer be special when you add the additional cost of extra travel. By shopping at your local stores you not only save time and money, you also support your neighbourhood amenities.

Another advantage of shorter trips is that, if you don’t have too much to carry, these trips can sometimes be made by cheaper and healthier means than using the car, such as on foot, by cycle or by bus.