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A learning and education solution for clean air in London

e-learning modules to answer the transport challenge for London

London’s population and economy are growing and road freight is expected to increase by 20% by 2031 to serve this growth. Transport is a major contributor to pollution in London, with vans and HGVs responsible for nearly 30% of the nitrogen oxide (NOx) road transport emissions. Commercial vehicles are also responsible for around 16% of transport greenhouse gas emissions across the capital. In London, over 430 schools are in areas that exceed safe air quality levels.
The Mayor has an ambition for London to become a zero carbon city by 2050, but CO2 emissions from transport are unlikely to decrease quickly enough to support this and compliance with the legal limit of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is not expected before 2025. It is clear that significant action is required.

Bring on TfL’s Freight and Fleet programme, incorporating LoCITY. Launched in January 2016, LoCITY is a five-year, industry-led collaborative programme that brings together fleet operators, local and central government, vehicle manufacturers, refuelling and recharging suppliers and other public sector organisations. Their collective aim is to minimise the impact of vans and HGVs on congestion and the environment and to increase levels of compliance and safety.

The objectives

The main aim of the LoCITY initiative is to help transport fleets transition from diesel to more sustainable alternative fuels, to aid the reduction of air pollution and deliver health benefits for residents and workers in London.

As part of this programme, TfL identified the need for a major training initiative which would meet two key objectives; the first is to ensure diesel vehicles are being managed and driven within the capital as efficiently as possible, to minimise fuel consumption and emissions. The second is to raise awareness of the alternative fuels that are available and their benefits.
In both cases, the target audiences are van and heavy goods vehicle drivers and fleet and transport managers.

The learning solution - eLearning modules

A significant component of the blended programme was the development of two 20-minute eLearning modules. The first, titled Time to Clean Up, is aimed at drivers and can be used as a standalone piece of learning or as a reinforcement of the topics learned on the Driver CPC accredited training course.

The game-based design of the module is set in a fictional city with poor air quality. Drivers take on a number of tasks, simulations and scenarios and apply the lessons they have learned around idling, eco-driving and vehicle management. The ultimate aim is to demonstrate that they know how to reduce fuel and emissions to bring the air quality within the city up to a safe level. Time to Clean Up was developed as an interactive game with a competitive edge, so that drivers are more likely to complete the training and retain the key learning points.