2010 National Travel Survey

The Department for Transport has published the National Travel Survey 2010, giving statistics on personal travel in Great Britain during 2010.  I  thought this made interesting reading.  Click here to read the survey. 

Key findings include:

• There has been a steady falling trend in trip rates since 1995/97. Average distance travelled per person per year remained relatively stable until 2007, but has declined slightly over the last three years.
• In 2010, there was an average of 960 trips per person per year – the lowest level since the mid-1970s. There were 1,061 stages, 6,726 miles travelled, and an average trip length of 7.0 miles.
• Between 1995/97 and 2010, overall trips rates fell by 12%. Trips by private modes of transport fell by 14% while public transport modes increased by 8%. Walking trips saw the largest decrease.
• Most of the decline in overall trips rates between 1995/97 and 2010 can be accounted for by a fall in shopping and visiting friends.
• In 2010, 80% of males and 66% of females held a full car driving licence. While the proportion of males holding a licence remained fairly stable since the early 1990’s, the proportion of females with a licence continued to increase.
• Trips by car (as a driver or passenger) accounted for 64% of all trips made and 78% of distance travelled in 2010.
• On average, females make more trips than males, but males travel much further each year.
• Concessionary travel pass take-up in 2010 was 78% of those eligible.
• Average annual car mileage was estimated to be 8,430 miles in 2010.