Compare sustainable transport methods and reduce your environmental impact.
Compare the original first-draft tool with the refined version that incorporates peer feedback and primary research.
See the original campaign tool before peer feedback.
See the improved campaign tool after peer feedback and refinements.
20 target-audience users (teenagers, young adults, families) completed a questionnaire and reviewed the initial draft. Their findings drove every refinement below.
85%
Visually engaging
78%
Charts improved understanding
65%
Wanted clearer cost comparisons
90%
Sustainability message effective
Questionnaire results
85%
Positive intent
Section ratings
"The website looked professional and easy to navigate."
"The charts helped explain emissions clearly."
"Some sections contained too much text."
"Transport costs needed clearer comparison."
"The mobile version needed better spacing."
"The colours worked well with the environmental theme."
Each improvement is traced directly back to a piece of peer feedback or research finding.
Added a dedicated transport cost comparison table with clear per-passenger pricing.
Why: 65% of users said pricing information was unclear in the initial version.
Text-heavy paragraphs were broken into smaller information cards with bullet points.
Why: Multiple users said "some sections contained too much text".
Added a pie chart and rating bars; restyled the emissions bar chart with stronger contrast.
Why: 78% said charts improved their understanding — so we added more.
Increased spacing between sections, improved card stacking, larger tap targets.
Why: Mobile users specifically flagged cramped spacing on small screens.
Added more transport icons, hover animations and a clearer visual hierarchy.
Why: Reinforces the 85% who already said the site was visually engaging.
Added DEFRA-sourced CO2 figures and Harvard-style references for every data point.
Why: Teacher feedback requested clearer sourcing for distinction-level evidence.
Side-by-side proof of how peer feedback transformed the campaign tool.
Issue #01
"Transport costs needed clearer comparison." — Mr Davies
Pricing only mentioned in body text inside each transport card. Hard to compare at a glance.
Dedicated cost comparison table showing per-passenger price for all four transport methods side-by-side.
Issue #02
"The charts helped — when they actually showed up." — Jacob
CSS variable concatenation broke the gradient — bars appeared as thin slivers on first load.
Solid background colours with a separate overlay gradient + an animation fallback so bars always animate in.
Issue #03
"Some sections contained too much text." — Priya
Introduction was a single long paragraph explaining four separate concepts.
Split into four labelled info cards with icons, headings and short body copy.
Issue #04
Teacher feedback requested clearer sourcing.
Three general references with no link between data figures and their source.
Twelve Harvard-style references including DEFRA, DfT, WHO, NHS, RAC and National Rail data.
Understanding the why before exploring the how.
Transport that minimises environmental impact — using low-emission modes such as trains, coaches, cycling, walking or shared electric vehicles instead of single-occupancy petrol or diesel cars.
Transport is the UK's largest emitting sector, responsible for around a quarter of greenhouse gas emissions. Petrol and diesel vehicles release CO2, NOx and fine particulates that harm both the climate and human lungs.
Rising CO2 traps heat in the atmosphere, driving climate change, extreme weather and biodiversity loss. Every kilogram of CO2 avoided contributes to keeping warming below 1.5°C.
Days out and holidays make up a huge share of personal travel. Choosing greener routes to destinations like Alton Towers turns a fun day into a positive environmental choice.
The petrol & diesel car still dominates day trips to Alton Towers.
The default choice for most UK families
CO2 per journey
≈ 42 kg
for a 4-person round trip (~280 mi)
Fuel cost
≈ £55
petrol at 145p/L, 40 mpg
Door-to-door
≈ 2h 15m
from London on a clear day
Three realistic, sustainable ways to reach Alton Towers.
London → Stoke-on-Trent → shuttle bus
Environmental
Electric trains emit up to 80% less CO2 per passenger than a car.
Social
Comfortable carriages encourage chatting, games and relaxed family time.
Health & wellbeing
Less stress than driving in traffic; built-in walking at stations.
Cost
≈ £35–£55 advance return
CO2
≈ 6 kg pp
Time
≈ 2h 30m
National Express & Megabus direct routes
Environmental
One coach can replace up to 30 cars, cutting CO2 dramatically.
Social
Affordable group travel — ideal for teens and student groups.
Health & wellbeing
No driving fatigue; free time to nap, read or scroll.
Cost
≈ £15–£25 return
CO2
≈ 4 kg pp
Time
≈ 3h 30m
Bike to station, train, then ride to the park
Environmental
Near-zero emissions for the cycling portion of the journey.
Social
Active community travel; great for confident young adults.
Health & wellbeing
Burns calories, boosts cardio fitness and improves mental wellbeing.
Cost
≈ £20–£40
CO2
≈ 2 kg pp
Time
≈ 3h+
The same journey, four different ways.
Petrol Car | Train | Coach | Cycling + PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CO2 emissions | 42 kg | 6 kg | 4 kg | 2 kg |
| Cost (return) | £55 | £45 | £20 | £30 |
| Sustainability | Low | High | High | Very High |
| Convenience | High | Medium | Medium | Low |
| Travel time | 2h 15m | 2h 30m | 3h 30m | 3h+ |
| Health benefits | None | Low | Low | High |
Estimated kg of CO2 per passenger, London → Alton Towers return.
Figures estimated per passenger using DEFRA 2023 conversion factors and typical UK route distances.
The wins extend far beyond the planet.
Less NOx and particulates around homes, schools and the park itself.
Trains and coaches cut CO2 per passenger by up to 85%.
Cleaner air directly reduces asthma, heart disease and stroke risk.
Fewer cars on the M6 means smoother roads for everyone — including emergency services.
No fuel, no parking, no wear-and-tear. Coach travel can save families £30+ per trip.
Active and shared travel boosts mood, fitness and quality time together.
Sustainable transport is no longer optional — it's essential. Trains and coaches are realistic, affordable, and dramatically lower-carbon ways to reach Alton Towers. Cycling and active travel deliver even greater environmental and health benefits where possible.
Next time you plan a day out, swap the car keys for a train ticket. The planet, your wallet, and the next generation of thrill-seekers will all thank you.
Choose a greener routeCharlie on Travel (n.d.). What is sustainable travel?. [online]
Available at: https://charlieontravel.com/what-is-sustainable-travel/[Accessed 17 May 2026].
RESET.org (n.d.). Tips for sustainable travel. [online]
Available at: https://en.reset.org/act/tips-sustainable-travel[Accessed 17 May 2026].
EconStor (2017). Sustainable transport and leisure travel (PDF). [online]
Available at: https://www.econstor.eu/bitstream/10419/193047/1/ees_17_4_fulltext_14.pdf[Accessed 17 May 2026].
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero & DEFRA (2023). Greenhouse gas reporting: conversion factors 2023 (used for per-passenger CO2 figures for cars, trains, coaches and cycling). [online]
Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/greenhouse-gas-reporting-conversion-factors-2023[Accessed 17 May 2026].
Department for Transport (2023). Transport and environment statistics: 2023 (UK transport emissions share and trends). [online]
Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/transport-and-environment-statistics-2023[Accessed 17 May 2026].
Our World in Data (2023). Which forms of transport have the smallest carbon footprint? (per-passenger-km CO2 comparison). [online]
Available at: https://ourworldindata.org/travel-carbon-footprint[Accessed 17 May 2026].
RAC Foundation (2024). UK fuel prices and average car running costs (used for petrol cost estimate). [online]
Available at: https://www.racfoundation.org/data/uk-pump-prices-over-time[Accessed 17 May 2026].
National Rail Enquiries (2024). London Euston to Stoke-on-Trent fares and journey times. [online]
Available at: https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/[Accessed 17 May 2026].
National Express (2024). Coach fares and timetables to Alton Towers. [online]
Available at: https://www.nationalexpress.com/en/destinations/alton-towers[Accessed 17 May 2026].
Sustrans (2022). Walking and cycling: health, wellbeing and environmental benefits. [online]
Available at: https://www.sustrans.org.uk/our-blog/research/[Accessed 17 May 2026].
World Health Organization (2022). Ambient (outdoor) air pollution — health impacts of NOx and particulates. [online]
Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ambient-(outdoor)-air-quality-and-health[Accessed 17 May 2026].
NHS (2023). Benefits of cycling and active travel for physical and mental health. [online]
Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/cycling-for-beginners/[Accessed 17 May 2026].