The Highlands and Islands Transport partnership (HITRANS) is the statutory Regional Transport Partnership (RTP) that brings together the five local authority areas of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Moray, Highland, Orkney Islands and much of Argyll & Bute, to work in partnership for better aligned transport across the region. We do this by identifying the transport needs of the region and setting out our Regional Transport Strategy (RTS) to deliver a safe, reliable and efficient transport network.
HITRANS are a SIMSES partner and Work Package leader of the Horizon Europe project: Climate smart, ecosystem-enhancing and knowledge-based rural expertise and training centres (RURALITIES). HITRANS aims to enhance regional transportation, promote economic growth, and reduce barriers to participation in employment, learning, social, leisure, health and cultural activities that the region has to offer.
Rural transport is our area of expertise in the project which aims to learn and share innovations and practices from “simplified rural socio-ecological systems” called SIMSES. HITRANS is 1 of 6 SIMSES areas. RURALITIES will test and showcase innovative concepts and technologies while shaping a rural Knowledge Alliance across the EU and Africa.
As part of the RURALITIES project, HITRANS are working on a study (Smart Mobility Solutions for Rural and Island Transport Optimisation) with partner university, Robert Gordon University (RGU), to collect travel and journey-making data from residents across Stronsay, Eday, Westray and Rousay that will allow the mapping of journey-making patterns across the islands. Volunteer residents and workers will have their journeys mapped, wherever they go to gather a full picture of how people move around their islands and others along with the type of transport method they use. This will help us to model ways to improve local connectivity and better integrate transport services. The model will also facilitate funding applications for innovative, lower-carbon transport solutions.
This research is currently running in both Stronsay and Westray but if you are interested in becoming involved with this study as a volunteer and live on Rousay, Westray or Stronsay, do get in touch for more information. You can also look at the information sheet attached below.
Stronsay:
Naomi Bremner naomi@eylandskyn.co.uk
Westray:
Anne McGregor anne@mcgregorsolutions.co.uk
Rousay:
Murray Stewart murray.stewart@hitrans.org.uk
HITRANS will share the results of this research once all the data has been collected and analysed, which will help shape future decision making using accurate journey-making information across the islands. We aim to run the data collection as long as we can to ensure we have as broad a picture as possible across the months.
Volunteer FAQs
We are looking to collect as full a picture as possible so if you use different modes of transport please carry the tracker with you. If you use only your car and ferries, please leave the tracker in your car.
Battery life of the trackers depends on how much you move around. This is monitored by RGU. You island contact will be in touch about recharging your tracker if the battery is running low. Please ensure you recharge when asked so that we can continue to collect data for the research.