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TRICS® 2008(b)v6.2.1 released
Off-line version of TRICS® now available
TRICS® User Meetings take place in London and Edinburgh
2008 User Questionnaire – TRICS® Community has its say
Record multi-modal survey programme underway across the UK and Ireland
TRICS® Community Forum coming soon
Bookings being taken for 2008 TRICS®/RTPI Conference
Free 1 month trial of TRICS® available
DORSET COUNTY COUNCIL
Nick Rabbets
Consortium Chair
Tel: 01305-225397
n.s.rabbets@dorsetcc.gov.uk
JMP CONSULTANTS LIMITED
Annette Smith/Lynn Basford
TRICS® Directors
Tel: 020 7405 2800
annette.smith@jmp.co.uk
lynn.basford@jmp.co.uk
Ian Coles
TRICS® Manager
(project management, system development & survey programmes)
Tel: 020 7618 4104
ian.coles@jmp.co.uk
Cerian Scriven
TRICS® Assistant
(licence administration and data input/validation)
Tel: 020 7618 4100
cerian.scriven@jmp.co.uk
Emma Walmsley
TRICS® Assistant
(licence administration and data input/validation)
Tel: 020 7618 4153
emma.walmsley@jmp.co.uk
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TRICS® 2008(b)v6.2.1 released
On 30th June, the new version of TRICS®, version 2008(b)v6.2.1, was issued to all user organisations. This update of the system includes some system enhancements, and 171 new survey sites, the majority being multi-modal in nature, across various regions of the UK and Ireland.
One of the major changes in the system for this update is the migration of our individual site mapping facility from the Multimap website to Google Maps, which is a significant improvement. Users can now obtain much more information on sites using Google Maps, based on new Latitude and Longitude database fields. We have also developed a new Accessibility data section, which will soon be populated by new survey data being input into the database. This new facility incorporates local accessibility and census information, which will become an important tool in future versions of TRICS®.
With the release of this update of the system, TRICS® has now gone fully web-based, with an "off-line" downloadable version also available for users when they are on the move and unable to access the internet (see below). TRICS® will continue to develop following an analysis of the annual User Questionnaire (discussed below), which members of the TRICS® Community have been completing and forwarding to the TRICS® team in recent weeks.
Off-line version of TRICS® now available
For users on the move without access to the internet, TRICS® has also launched its "off-line" version, which can be downloaded from the members area at www.trics.org.
The off-line version uses an internet browser, running as a “service” on a local PC, and so is identical to the on-line version. However, it does not require an internet connection once it is downloaded.
Users will also be able to keep their off-line version up to date by downloading updated system files. An update reminder will appear to users at regular intervals, with users having the option to update their off-line system or postpone this until a later date. All users are encouraged to use the on-line version of TRICS® to ensure that they are always operating the most up to date version.
TRICS® User Meetings take place in London and Edinburgh
The 2008 TRICS® User Meetings in London and Edinburgh took place in June, with a record attendance of 170 delegates from across the UK and Ireland. The London event was particularly popular, with some 116 attendees taking part in the annual forum for the TRICS® Community. The venues were the Museum in Docklands (West India Quay), and The Hub (which is an historic venue for the annual Edinburgh Film Festival).
Presentations were given on system development, the TRICS® Good Practice Guide, the development of our new accessibility feature, recent research into residential trip rates by location type, and the development of the Standardised Assessment Methodology (SAM) within the TRICS® system.
Feedback from attendees was very positive, and the TRICS® team received some excellent ideas for future system development and research activities. For those unable to attend this year’s meetings, copies of the Powerpoint presentations given can be downloaded from here. |
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2008 User Questionnaire – TRICS® Community has its say
The TRICS® Community has participated in the annual User Questionnaire, which provides the TRICS® development team with a variety of ideas relating to system development, research projects, and our annual data collection programme.
Coupled with our annual User Meetings, the User Questionnaire is an ideal method for individual members of the TRICS® Community to have their direct say in the system’s future. Taking all responses into account, a programme of system developments through 2008/09 will soon be prepared, along with our 2009 data collection programme.
Record multi-modal survey programme underway across the UK and Ireland
 Our annual data collection programme is currently underway across all regions of the UK and Ireland, with the first data from the spring period currently undergoing input and validation testing.
This year, a record 170 multi-modal surveys are taking place, plus another 100 traffic surveys across the TRICS® regions. All of our surveys are specifically commissioned, and cover a wide variety of land use types, from residential developments to retail stores, schools and hospitals, hotels, leisure facilities, and many other categories. We’re even undertaking surveys at landmark developments such as the O2 Arena in London (formerly the Millennium Dome).
TRICS® can also undertake specifically commissioned surveys for any organisation, at competitive rates, using our approved data collection contractors. This work includes site visits, the production of survey specifications, and all other stages up to the validation of the survey results data. Please contact the TRICS® team should you be interested in commissioning your own data.
TRICS® Community Forum coming soon
With the advent of TRICS® on the web, visits to www.trics.org have increased significantly. With this increased web activity taking place, it is now a good opportunity for the introduction of a Community Forum, for members of the TRICS® Community to ask questions and exchange ideas in all matters related to the system.
The forum is currently being developed using a professional software package, and will be available within the members area of www.trics.org soon. Administrated directly by the TRICS® team, the forum will be broken down into specific topics such as system development, good practice guidance, and our annual User Meetings/Conferences. Users will be encouraged to join in the conversations at the forum, at which members of the TRICS® Consortium and development team will be directly participating on a regular basis. All users will be notified when this new facility is made live.
Bookings being taken for 2008 TRICS®/RTPI Conference
Preparations for the annual TRICS®/RTPI Conference are now well underway, with the event dates confirmed as Tuesday 25th and Wednesday 26th November 2008. The event is this year to be held at the Hilton London Metropole, and is one of the most important events in the industry’s calendar. |
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This year’s Conference theme is "Local Transport in a Global Setting". Topics to be covered include the following:
- The implications of the emerging transport policy on local practitioners.
- The Planning Bill – How does it affect transport planning?
- Climate change and transport – current thinking.
- Sustainable communities – Eco-towns, Sustainable Towns.
- Travel Plans – How much can you expect them to achieve?
- Car parking and housing developments.
- Placemaking.
- The planning barrister’s viewpoint.
This promises to be once again a successful and popular event. Bookings can now be made on-line at www.trics.org/conference08.htm. Alternatively, delegates can book their places by contacting David Penford on 01476-860759 or at trics@clockwork-uk.com.
Free 1 month trial of TRICS® available
A free 1-month trial of the latest full version of TRICS® is available to all organisations upon request. Throughout the free trial period full technical support is available at no cost, and there is no obligation once the period has expired.
Many organisations have already found this trial useful. Anyone interested in the free trial should contact the TRICS® team. |
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