Major TRICS® system enhancements in progress
Following the results of the 2008 TRICS® User Questionnaire, a significant programme of system developments is underway, with major updates to the system to take place in December 2008 and June 2009.

The most immediate changes will be for the December 2008 release of TRICS® version 2009(a)v6.3.1. Within the Residential land use category, we are introducing a split between private and non-private dwellings by housing type, and adding a “number of occupied dwellings” data field for new sites.

Reflecting the popularity of TRICS® in Ireland, we are creating a number of new regions within the database, which are to be reflected in next year’s data collection programme. And for sites in Greater London we are adding the often-used PTAL accessibility indicator. Various other small changes are also taking place.

In June 2009, upon the release of TRICS® 2009(b)v6.4.1, we are making some big changes which will greatly enhance the system. The facility to print trip rates for all modes simultaneously, modal split pie charts by specific time period, a dynamic new on-screen user tutorial, and the ability to save work in progress, are all important changes that we are delivering. We are also introducing trip rates by mode on the same screen, the facility to calculate trip rates for individual sites whilst viewing individual site data, and an automated “Cross Test” facility that will greatly enhance system efficiency.

As always, it is the much valued feedback from the TRICS® Community which makes the system what it is.

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Automated Off-line TRICS® updates being developed
The popular downloadable off-line version of TRICS® is currently being enhanced to allow a system of automatic updates to be introduced. Users running the off-line version will soon be prompted on a regular basis to download small updates, ensuring that the most recent version of the system is accessible.

This will allow us to make small changes and bug fixes quickly, and to introduce these to the users with the least amount of disruption. We appreciate that our users at almost 600 locations across the UK and Ireland will have varying internet and network set-ups, so we are in the process of fine-tuning the automated updates facility, which should be available soon.

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SAM surveys increase in 2008
How can you monitor the effectiveness of travel plans? This is a very important question, and one that TRICS® is addressing with its Standardised Assessment Methodology (SAM).

Interest in SAM has grown over recent months, with a number of multi-modal surveys taking place this year. SAM’s goal is to present a national standard for travel plan monitoring to local authorities and site operators across the UK, combining the comprehensive data collection approach of TRICS® with the most important elements of travel planning. We are encouraging the implementation of SAM survey requests into planning agreements, so that travel plan effectiveness can be measured in a logical and effective way. By surveying sites using our methodology during years 1, 3 and 5 of the life of a travel plan, we will be able to identify changes of mode split over time, eventually allowing us to discuss what travel plan measures are most effective.

The first SAM pilot surveys, which were undertaken in 2005, have recently been re-visited, and a technical study analysing the pilots and their re-surveys is underway, with findings to be made available to TRICS® users via the system’s Library module.

SAM surveys are also being enhanced this autumn with the introduction of journey purpose within the survey methodology. So in addition to full multi-modal surveys containing comprehensive travel plan information, users will soon be able to view trip breakdowns for employees, visitors, deliveries, etc. A record number of SAM surveys are taking place in 2008, with this growth set to increase in 2009.

For more information on SAM, please visit www.trics.org.

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2009 TRICS® User Meetings to take place in London and York
Following this year’s record attendance at the two TRICS® User Meetings in June, we are pleased to announce provisional dates and locations for the 2009 events. On Wednesday 17th June 2009, the first meeting will be held in London, followed by a meeting in York a week later on Wednesday 24th June.

Next year’s meetings will mark the 20th anniversary of TRICS®. The project has grown year-on-year, thanks to the input and feedback we have continuously received from the TRICS® Community. We value our interactive approach to project development, and the annual User Meetings are the ideal opportunity for all member organisations to exchange ideas and have their say in the project’s future. They are also the best way to find out what is happening across all elements of TRICS®, including data collection, system enhancements, and associated research projects. The interactive workshop sessions following the morning presentations, which have been very popular with attendees in recent years, will also be featuring on the event programme.

All members of the TRICS® Community will be notified of final details as soon as they are confirmed.  

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Bookings going well for 2008 TRICS®/RTPI Conference
This year’s annual TRICS®/RTPI Conference takes place on 25th and 26th November, at the Hilton London Metropole, and bookings are going very well for what promises to be another interesting and informative event on the industry’s calendar.

This year’s event includes a number of high-profile speakers, including ex-London Mayoral candidate Steven Norris, and also includes a choice of interesting workshop sessions, including a trip to see the transport infrastructure around the new Wembley Stadium. This year’s theme is “Local Transport in a Global Setting”, and aims to address contemporary issues across the transport and development planning agenda. This is also an ideal opportunity for you to network with others within the industry, especially at the annual Conference Dinner, which for the first time will be followed by an interactive quiz!

This promises to be once again a successful and popular event. Bookings can now be made on-line at http://www.trics.org/conference08.htm. Alternatively, delegates can book their places by contacting David Penford on 01476-860759 or at trics@clockwork-uk.com.

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2009 data collection programme announced
Following consultation with the TRICS® Community through our annual User Questionnaire and User Meetings, we are pleased to announce details of the 2009 TRICS® data collection programme across the UK and Ireland.

In 2009 we shall be undertaking a total of 270 transport surveys, 170 of which will be multi-modal in nature. This programme will be split across 17 regions, with the Ireland/Northern Ireland region to be split into 6 separate regions (Connaught, Leinster, Munster, Ulster(Ire), Ulster(NI) and Greater Dublin). This reflects the growing number of TRICS® members throughout the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

The surveys will be undertaken from March right through to November, avoiding school holidays, with data to be made available during the quarterly database updates, both on-line and via our downloadable off-line option. Next year’s programme follows a successful data collection exercise in 2008, which included an extended programme of multi-modal surveys in Greater London, in excess of that undertaken by our competitors.

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TRICS® On-Line Help Desk to be made live
TRICS® users will soon be able to submit their technical queries and requests for assistance via an on-line help desk facility, which is currently being developed by the TRICS® team. This new facility will be available this December, and for the first time will allow technical support “tickets” to be tracked and followed by both users and administrators. A system of automated emails will alert users to any responses to their queries, so you can be assured you will be kept well informed of progress. The facility will be available within the Members Area at www.trics.org.

This new system promises to enhance the efficiency of user support in a structured and logical style, and also allows us to build up a knowledge base (or “frequently asked questions” section) within this facility, pre-empting the need for users to contact the TRICS® team for commonly raised issues.

We are aiming to introduce the new facility upon the release of TRICS® version 2009(a)v6.3.1, and will of course keep everyone in the TRICS® Community informed of further developments.

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