Premier Inn travel & parking study

Client
Whitbread
Location

UK wide

REMIT

To prepare a Study to assist in better understanding, through empirical evidence, guest travel and parking demand patterns at Premier Inn sites, depending on their location and access to alternative modes of travel and parking provision.

BACKGROUND

The Study will help inform Whitbread of the operation of existing ‘solus’ Premier Inn and Restaurant Premier (RPI) sites against the background of sound data, research and in-depth analysis.

The Study also provides valuable information for developing layout designs for future sites and to identify the likely highway impact and parking demand.

RGP’S APPROACH

A total of 28 Premier Inn sites were surveyed (parking and guest interview) within 9 locational categories to determine typical weekday operation of a range of sites.

The Study provides details of the survey methodology and detailed analysis of the survey results as regards to traffic generation, parking demand and modal choice per locational category.

The results of the study demonstrate and confirm the general trends in guest travel behaviour and helps quantify the operation of existing sites from which future site operations can be assessed.

Having applied the data to a number of Premier Inn sites since preparation of the study, it is apparent that with sound data and evidence presented to highway authorities the data is difficult to contest both during applications and at appeal.

The data has also been successfully applied in reducing highway related contributions sought in relation to Section 106 obligations.

This was achieved through a review of traffic flow data and preparation of swept path drawings, based on the operator’s bespoke delivery vehicle specifications.