This dataset measures the ease of accessing public transportation services in a specific area based on proximity and availability.
Transport & Mobility
Advanced Infrastructure
The Public Transport Accessibility Level (PTAL) is a method used by transport planners to assess connectivity of a given location to the public transport system. Each PTAL grid square represents the distance to the nearest public transport node and service frequency at those nodes. The result is a grade from 1–6 (including sub-divisions 1a, 1b, 6a and 6b), where a PTAL of 1a indicates extremely poor access to the location by public transport, and a PTAL of 6b indicates excellent access by public transport.
The PTAL is calculated for a 100m by 100m grid, overlayed on the area, and uses frequencies of service for the hour of 8.15 am to 9.15 am as according to the Transport For London (TFL) methodology.
Field | Description | Unit |
---|---|---|
PTAL | Public Transport Access Level from 0-6 | - |
Access Index | Access Index for each mode of transport | - |
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100m by 100m data granularity
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LAEP+ is a cloud based net zero planning tool developed to streamline Local Area Energy Planning and accelerate the deployment of low carbon technologies. LAEP+ uses digital twins to plan region-wide energy transitions by providing local authorities, DNOs, and consultants with granular heat, building, transport and energy data alongside net zero modelling tools to support informed decision making.
LAEP+ is currently being used by over 100 Local Authorities across the UK to manage Local Area Energy Plans, respond to grants, and identify and triage sites suitable for low carbon technologies such as heat pumps and electric vehicle charge points.
LAEP is an acronym for Local Area Energy Planning or a Local Area Energy Plan. LAEPs arestrategic plans to decarbonise the energy system and building stock in a local area over a given timeframe.
LAEP+ is a web-based software tool that allows local authorities, consultants and energy networks to create and assess decarbonisation plans from one off projects to full scale local area energy plans in one tool.
Advanced Infrastructure (AI) operates a dynamic nationwide building and energy network digital twin that provides the starting point for LAEP analysis. The digital twin uses multiple data providers to cross-validate and eliminate errors and uncertainties in building attributes such as age, energy performance, potential for retrofit technologies and envelope. Our data partners include HMLR, Ordnance Survey, Verisk Insurance, Open Street map, and inferred data from satellite imagery These are validated against surveyed data.
Data on energy demand and supply assets are sourced and cleaned from a wide variety of industry sources which are regularly updated. . Publicly available sources are supplemented with granular data from local stakeholders (such as local authorities, DNOs, large industry etc). These are validated against metered data at substation and LSOA level.
All datasets undergo a QA process before use in modelling to detect bias and errors. We comply with the Data Management Association UK (DAMA-UK) 6 dimension and where relevant the Quality Assurance Framework of the European Statistical System. Data sources are identified and validated to ensure they're trustworthy. During the ingestion phase, data is cleansed to remove inconsistencies, duplicates, and inaccuracies
Users can upload their own data up to a total of 3GB. Datasets can be ingested as a single file or bulk upload.geoJSON, GPKG, ESRI shape and CSV formats accepted. There are several open source, free-to-use tools available to help transform datasets into the required formats.
User uploaded datasets can be kept private to the uploader or shared with other users in your organisation.
LAEP+ and the supporting heat, energy, transport and building datasets are available UK wide
LAEP+ enables users without technical skills to build complex geospatial queries to identify properties and sites suitable for different interventions such as low-carbon technologies.
LAEP+ users have access to a comprehensive knowledge base including how-to videos and tutorials on Local Area Energy Plans and navigating the tool.
LAEP+ also features a live chat function to request support from the product team Monday-Friday. Depending on your package, users may also have access to regular training sessions.
Advanced Infrastructure is IS027001 and Cyber Essentials Plus certified. All data in LAEP+ is encrypted at rest and in transit.
Advanced Infrastructure use best-in-class security standards to ensure our user and client data is protected, including:
Multi-factor Authentication.Users require a six-digit code either via text message or Authenticator apps every time they log in. This means that even if a users' password is compromised, any attempts to log in would be unsuccessful without these codes.
User based permissions. Each user has set permissions, defined by the account administrator, enabling the relevant viewing or editor rights.
Encryption.Encryption at rest and in transit
Secure backups. Backups are taken regularly to ensure no user data is lost.
GDPR. GDPR compliance
Audit logs. An audit trail is maintained to track login, view and export history for all LAEP+ data
Public Transport Accessibility Levels are used to assess the accessibility of a location to the public transport network, taking into account public transport services and walk time to these. Each 100x100m PTAL grid square has an associated PTAL rating which reflects the distance to the nearest public transport node and service frequency at those nodes. A PTAL rating is a grade from 0–6 (including sub-divisions 1a, 1b, 6a and 6b), where a PTAL of 1a indicates extremely poor access to the location by public transport, and a PTAL of 6b indicates excellent access by public transport.
What is a good PTAL score?
6a and 6b PTAL scores = Excellent
5 PTAL score = Very good
4 PTAL score= Good
3 PTAL score= Moderate
2 PTAL score= Poor
1a and 1b PTAL scores = Very Poor
PTAL data can support local authorities encourage modal shift away from private car usage towards more sustainable modes of transportation, such as buses, trains or trams. By understanding the accessibility levels of different areas, Local Authorities can identify gaps in the public transport network and make recommendations for investments in transportation infrastructure.
Consulting businesses specialising in transportation planning can use this data to provide advisory services to transportation agencies, and businesses. By analysing public transport accessibility levels, consultants can offer recommendations for improving transportation networks, optimising routes, and enhancing passenger experiences.
How can PTAL data support Tech and App Developers?
Companies developing mobile applications or digital platforms for transportation navigation and route planning can use PTAL data to enhance their services by incorporating information on public transport accessibility levels into their applications, adding value to the end user.
How can PTAL data support EV Solution Providers?
EV Solution providers, operators and installers can use PTAL data to anticipate demand for charging services where there is limited public transport. By utilising PTAL data, EV Solution Providers can collaborate with Public Transport Providers and Local Authorities on schemes such as deployment of EV charging infrastructure at park-and-ride facilities.
How can PTAL data support Retailers and Commercial Businesses?
Retailers and businesses operating in the commercial sector can use PTAL data to identify locations with good public transport access to target for opening new stores or offices. Areas with high public transport accessibility levels often have higher foot traffic and customer potential, which could lead to increased sales and profitability.
According to the (ESC), Local Area Energy Planning (LAEP) is an evidence-based planning output which sets out the changerequired to transition an area’s energy system to net zero in a given timeframe. This is achieved by exploring potential pathways that consider a range of technologies and scenarios, and when combined with stakeholder engagement leads to the identification of the most cost-effective preferred pathway and sequenced plan of proposed actions to achieving an area’s net zero goal.
The Climate Change Committee highlights that national policy on its own will not be enough to deliver Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Local Authorities have a key role to play by influencing over 80% of the UK’s carbon emissions.
Local Authorities are now taking a place based approach towards achieving net zero through affordable, sustainable and accessible energy plans which seek to decarbonise and create resilient net-zero energy systems.
One of the primary advantages of Local Area Energy Plan (LAEP) is its ability to empower Local Authorities in proactively planning infrastructure investments. By engaging early with Distribution Network Providers (DNOs) to align with the Net Zero targets of an individual local authority, DNOs can assist in creation of comprehensive, long-term investment plans that extend well beyond immediate needs.
Local Area Energy Planning is a robust, evidence-based approach that explores various decarbonisation pathways and outlines actionable plans to achieve Net Zero within a local area. Led by Local Authorities, LAEPs have the power to bring together a diverse range of local stakeholders, including community energy groups, residents, and businesses, to harness local insights and propose viable decarbonisation strategies.
In collaboration with DNOs (and broader utilities such as Gas Distribution Networks), a LAEP has the ability to inform forecasts and subsequent network planning. This ensures that the right network capacity is available at the right time and at the lowest cost, serving as a continuous enabler of local Net Zero plans.
LAEP+ aligns with Energy Systems Catapult's 7-stage methodology for Local Area Energy Plans, facilitating the creation of best practice LAEPs and project pipelines.
Stage 1: Preparation
This includes determining the geographical area, assessing the policy drivers, identifying resources, appointing a lead organisation for mobilisation and establishing the scope of the LAEP.
Stage 2: Stakeholder engagement
The development of a LAEP involves a collaborative approach, engaging with external stakeholders to effectively integrate and reflect local perspectives within the plan.
Data Stories is a feature of LAEP+ which enables insights from data models to be communicated to stakeholders using online narratives and visualisations. It can be used to put data insights into context for stakeholders and capture valuable feedback. It can also be used to engage with harder-to-reach stakeholders across the local area. Additionally, LAEP+ includes a consultations feature which enables users to survey a wider group of stakeholders through an online poll.
Stage 3: Understanding the current local energy system
In order to successfully plan actions in a local area it is necessary to have a good understanding of the current system, its assets, infrastructure, ambitions, and currently committed plans for the future.
LAEP+ operates a dynamic nationwide building and energy network digital twin that provides the starting point for LAEP analysis. Users of LAEP+ can use the map feature to explore, filter and export hundreds of energy, transport, building datasets in order to understand the baseline of a given area.
Stage 4: Modelling Options for the future
By considering multiple scenarios, rather than a single scenario, options and choices for how to meet net zero can be considered. The purpose of this stage is to define for each scenario which combination of actions in a local area reaches the carbon target in the most effective way.
The LAEP+ Scenario Modeller feature enables users to create long-term scenarios, which automatically schedules the rollout of selected technologies based on local renewable potential and users’ own input parameters, such as net-zero targets, budget, and local priorities.
Stage 5: Scenario Refinement and Selection
Assess and understand the wider impacts of scenarios produced in Stage 4, specifically focusing on factors that are of interest to stakeholders (e.g., impact on fuel poverty).
Stage 6: Actions, Priorities and Decisions
Assess the pathway(s) chosen in Stage 5, and categorise their components based around how soon they can be delivered.
The LAEP+ Projects feature provides seamless feasibility assessments of building-level low-carbon deployments. Click and drop assets onto the map, and run an assessment to view carbon saving breakdowns and cost estimations.
Stage 7: Create the Local Area Energy Plan
The final stage brings all of the work carried out during the preceding stages into a single document that is the plan to be carried forward for the local area.
Many Local Authorities are already using LAEP+ to present data-backed evidence in attracting investment and supporting funding opportunities. With LAEP+, assumptions can be validated, and grant applications instantly bolstered with measurable impact assessments regarding carbon emission reductions, cost-effectiveness, and alleviation of fuel poverty.
There are various funding sources available to support the development and implementation of Local Area Energy Plans.
These funding opportunities can come from central government, non-profit organisations, private foundations, and other entities with an interest in promoting energy efficiency, sustainability, and decarbonisation at the local level. As of 2024 these include:
https://www.gsenetzerohub.org.uk/financing-local-net-zero/funding/
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