Pathways Project
Blueprint
A national wayfinding system that works for everyone
The vision
Increasing active travel – walking, wheeling and cycling – is one of the simplest, most effective ways to improve the health of our nation.
Despite its benefits, active travel has never reached anything close to its full potential. The reason is simple: we’ve never given it the coherent, nationwide system it deserves.
The Pathways Project aims to make the make the UK’s pathways visible, reliable and welcoming for everyone.
The Pathways Project aims to make the make the UK’s pathways visible, reliable and welcoming for everyone.
The four systems
Connected routes, safer streets, confident choices, active lives
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Network system
Turning fragmented paths into a connected, easy-to-follow national network.
Standardising routes, information and distances, while leaving space for local character, makes everyday trips feel predictable and familiar.
Standardising routes, information and distances, while leaving space for local character, makes everyday trips feel predictable and familiar.
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Behavioural system
Helps people understand shared expectations while travelling on pathways.
It translates the Highway Code into smart, ‘fast-thinking’ visual design to encourage cooperative behaviour and mutual respect between pedestrians, wheelers and cyclists.
It translates the Highway Code into smart, ‘fast-thinking’ visual design to encourage cooperative behaviour and mutual respect between pedestrians, wheelers and cyclists.
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Awareness system
Makes active travel networks visible and meaningful by showing people what is possible in their local areas.
It reinforces mental maps of routes, supports navigation and encourages exploration beyond the pathways people already know
It reinforces mental maps of routes, supports navigation and encourages exploration beyond the pathways people already know
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Data system
The invisible infrastructure that keeps wayfinding information consistent across all touchpoints.
Underpinned by a shared open-data framework called the Active Travel Data Specification (ATDS), it will allow councils, planners, mapping platforms and developers to coordinate and share data.
Underpinned by a shared open-data framework called the Active Travel Data Specification (ATDS), it will allow councils, planners, mapping platforms and developers to coordinate and share data.
The impact
Unlocking billions in wider economic and health benefits
Active travel boosts local economies, strengthens communities, reduces pollution and gives people independence. The Pathways Project will give people the confidence to choose active travel for everyday journeys, unlocking up to £3.2 billion in wider economic and health benefits.
Economic benefits
Blueprint
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Business Case
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Pathways Project
A practical four-step programme. Build a coalition, design with the public, test in the real world and scale nationwide to create a healthier, more connected, more active nation.
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