Thursday, December 18 2008
Transport planner JMP is helping the Scottish town of Alyth (population 2,000) to investigate setting up a communal “hot desk” facility to encourage locals to abandon the daily commute to work.
It is one of a range of initiatives being pioneered by the proactive Alyth Climate Action Town project to combat climate change and is funded by the Scottish Government’s Climate Challenge Fund.
JMP is undertaking a major study of current travel patterns and in February will be sending out surveys to residents to establish the demand for a “hot office” function. At the last count, in 2001, about seven per cent of the population worked from home and this is likely to have increased somewhat considerably over time.
One of the prime purposes of the travel survey will be to identify the main employers and commuter journeys of Alyth residents. This will provide evidence to show if there is potential for residents and in particular employees, to expand their travel choices.
It will also identify the potential for a community “hot office” facility where employees can “hot desk” in a cost-shared office building equipped with modern ICT equipment, desks, phones, audio and video-conferencing, photocopiers, reception and meeting rooms.
It is anticipated that a hot office could lead to a number of other sustainable transport carbon reduction initiatives as part of a green transport plan for the village, such as local cycle schemes, local lift share schemes and public transport enhancements.
Alyth Climate Action Town project also believes that “hot office” workers using local facilities would enable start-up ventures or expansion of small businesses where dedicated office facilities could be too much of an overhead.
JMP is expected to produce its final report on the feasibility of the project in March.