London 2012 Transport update: progress report on travel demand forecasting figures

'pace' has been sent to stakeholders to provide an update on the progress that is being made in the delivery of the Transport Plan, which was published in October last year.

Travel demand forecasting is a critical transport planning process, ensuring the provision of appropriate transport infrastructure to accommodate the significant levels of additional travel demand that the Games will generate. The process will also ensure that the transport system can cater for the needs of the various groups of transport users. It is therefore anticipated that:

• a maximum of 275,000 spectators each day will travel to and from events in the Park
• around 58 per cent of the spectators travelling by rail – 120,000 a day – will use Stratford Regional Station to reach the Park
• more than half a million spectators could need transport on the busiest days of the competition
• 75,000 Olympic Family members and more than 23,000 Paralympic Family members will need transport
• on any one day of the Games there could be 50,000 Olympic Family members needing transport
• approximately 215,000 spectators will use National Rail or Underground services to reach the Park.

ODA Transport Director, Hugh Sumner, said: 'This report shows the level of detailed planning we are doing to forecast demand and ensuring that the transport infrastructure is ready to match it.

'A major factor within our planning is to keep London and the UK moving during the Games. We have conducted a significant amount of research into population figures and data from other sporting events, such as the World Rowing Championships, to predict where people are most likely to travel from.

''pace’ will look at a variety of transport issues and demonstrate the sound progress that we are making to reach these goals.'

Head of Transport for the London Organising Committee Wilben Short said: 'The progress made so far in understanding the quantitative travel demand of each group, together with our increasing understanding of their desired experience, has put us in an excellent position as we move into the detailed planning of Games transport services post the Beijing Games.'

Notes to Editors

1. Download a copy of the latest issue of 'pace'.

2. Each issue of ‘pace’ will provide a detailed and technical focus on the progress we are making in a particular area of our transport plans. Future editions will concentrate on explaining our investment in the extensive Docklands Light Railway infrastructure upgrade, details about the Olympic Route Network and our plans to help people walk and cycle to the Games.

3. For more information please contact Holly Wheeler in the ODA press office on 0203 2012 669 or email holly.wheeler@london2012.com.

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