Annex B: Monitoring and Evaluation
This section details the set of indicators we will use to monitor our progress towards the Transport Just Transition Plan outcomes.
These outcome indicators have been selected following a comprehensive review of a wide range of published data sources, experimental data, and bespoke research reports. Each indicator has been assessed for relevance, accuracy, availability, and timing. For some outcomes, there are gaps in data availability which make it challenging to identify a robust indicator at this time. In these instances, we are working on data development and any alternative sources of information that we will use to track progress on an interim basis.
We will collaborate with stakeholders across industry, academia and the public sector in the coming months to build on these published metrics and develop a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation framework. This will include working closely with the Just Transition Commission to ensure our approach is aligned with recently commissioned research on monitoring of a just transition in Scotland.
Jobs, Skills and Economic Opportunities outcomes
Outcome 1: The net zero transition supports new and existing well-paid jobs across Scotland, within transport services, supply chains and in the wider economy.
| Indicator 1.1: Total transport employment |
| Description |
Total employment in the transport sector (using a 5 digit SIC code definition of the transport industry) |
| Source |
Business Register and Employment Survey |
| Quality assessment |
A measure of new jobs in transport. Publicly available and annually updated data. The source is survey-based so limitations to data collection and annual comparison. |
| Quality Indicator Rating |
Moderate |
| Indicator 1.2: Transport salaries |
| Description |
Median weekly gross pay in Section H Transportation and Storage |
| Source |
Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings |
| Quality assessment |
A measure of transport jobs being well-paid. Publicly available and annually updated data. The source is survey-based so limitations to data collection and annual comparison. |
| Quality Indicator Rating |
Moderate |
| Indicator 1.3: Journey times to areas of employment |
| Description |
The number of datazones from which it is not possible for people to reach a ‘core employment site’ by public transport within a four-hour window (6am-10am on Tuesday) |
| Source |
NTS2 commissioned analysis |
| Quality assessment |
A proxy to measure the transport system supporting access to employment. Publicly available and commissioned ad hoc to support NTS2 monitoring. |
| Quality Indicator Rating |
Moderate |
Outcome 2: The transport sector supports diversity in the workforce, advances equality of opportunities for all, and is underpinned by a commitment to fair work.
| Indicator 2.1: Gender balance |
| Description |
The percentage of employees in Section H Transportation and Storage industry that are male and female |
| Source |
Annual Population Survey |
| Quality assessment |
A proxy measure for workforce diversification. Publicly available and quarterly updated data. The source is survey-based and subject to wide year-on-year variations at this level. |
| Quality Indicator Rating |
Moderate |
| Indicator 2.2: Age profile |
| Description |
The percentage of employees in Section H Transportation and Storage industry that are aged 16-24 and 50 or over |
| Source |
Annual Population Survey |
| Quality assessment |
A proxy measure for workforce diversification. Publicly available and quarterly updated data. The source is survey-based and subject to wide year-on-year variations at this level. |
| Quality Indicator Rating |
Moderate |
| Indicator 2.3: Gender pay gap |
| Description |
The difference between male and female full-time hourly earnings in the transport sector. Aligns with the National Performance Framework |
| Source |
Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings |
| Quality assessment |
A proxy measure for fair work. Publicly available and annually updated data. The source is survey-based and subject to wide year-on-year variations at this level. |
| Quality Indicator Rating |
Moderate |
Outcome 3: Businesses currently relying on fossil fuel vehicles are supported to transition to zero emissions alternatives.
| Indicator 3.1: Proportion of low carbon LGVs and HGVs |
| Description |
Proportion and number of Light Goods Vehicles and Heavy Goods Vehicles that are low carbon |
| Source |
Department for Transport, Vehicle Licensing Statistics |
| Quality assessment |
A proxy measure for business ability to transition fleets to low carbon alternatives. Publicly available and quarterly updated data. High quality data based on vehicle registrations. |
| Quality Indicator Rating |
Strong |
| Indicator 3.2: Proportion of low carbon buses and coaches |
| Description |
Proportion and number of buses and coaches that are low carbon |
| Source |
Department for Transport, Vehicle Licensing Statistics |
| Quality assessment |
A proxy measure for business ability to transition fleets to low carbon alternatives. Publicly available and quarterly updated data. High quality data based on vehicle registrations. |
| Quality Indicator Rating |
Strong |
Outcome 4: Scottish zero emission vehicle manufacturers and their supply chain can access growing domestic and international markets for their products.
| Indicator 4.1: Value of transport exports |
| Description |
Total value of Transportation and Storage exports to the rest of UK and internationally |
| Source |
Export Statistics Scotland |
| Quality assessment |
A proxy measure for business ability to export products to international markets. Publicly available data with long lag times. The source is survey-based and subject to wide year-on-year variations at this level. |
| Quality Indicator Rating |
Moderate |
| Indicator 4.2: Innovation active businesses |
| Description |
Percentage of Transportation and Storage businesses engaging in innovation activities in Scotland |
| Source |
UK Innovation Survey |
| Quality assessment |
A proxy measure for business ability to innovate in the net zero transition. Data cannot be isolated for net zero innovation only. Publicly available data with long lag times. The source is survey-based and subject to wide year-on-year variations at this level. |
| Quality Indicator Rating |
Weak |
Communities and Place outcomes
Outcome 5: Communities (including in rural and suburban areas) are well connected, having better digital connectivity and shared transport options that meet their local needs.
| Indicator 5.1: Digital connectivity |
| Description |
Does your household currently have access to the internet from home? Split by six-fold Urban Rural Classification |
| Source |
Scottish Household Survey |
| Quality assessment |
A measure of digital connectivity. Publicly available data with two-year lag time. The source is a robust and representative survey of Scottish households. |
| Quality Indicator Rating |
Moderate |
| Indicator 5.2: Car and bike share scheme users |
| Description |
Number of car club members and size of fleet and bike share scheme users in Scotland |
| Source |
CoMoUk Annual Car Club and Bike Share Reports |
| Quality assessment |
A measure of the availability and use of car and bike share schemes. Publicly available and annually updated data. High quality data based on scheme registrations. |
| Quality Indicator Rating |
Strong |
| Indicator 5.3: Shared transport uptake |
| Description |
Percentage of adults in Scotland who often or sometimes a) car share informally, b) use a formal shared transport service |
| Source |
Scottish Climate Survey |
| Quality assessment |
A measure of the availability and uptake of informal and formal shared transport options. The source is a new random probability survey of Scottish households. Data will be made publicly available in 2025. Survey repetition is intended but not guaranteed. |
| Quality Indicator Rating |
Moderate |
Outcome 6: Transport and the planning systems give communities access to the local services and amenities they need.
| Indicator 6.1: Journey time to basic services |
| Description |
Percentage of datazones that can access, within 20 mins via public transport, basic services and education provision |
| Source |
NTS2 commissioned analysis |
| Quality assessment |
A proxy to measure the transport system enabling communities to access the services they need. Publicly available and commissioned ad hoc to support NTS2 monitoring. |
| Quality Indicator Rating |
Moderate |
Outcome 7: Island communities are well connected on island, to other islands, and to the mainland, with affordable and low carbon transport options.
| Indicator 7.1: Satisfaction with island ferry travel |
| Description |
Island resident’s satisfaction (in terms of reliability and cost) of inter-island ferries and island-mainland ferries |
| Source |
Scottish Government, National Islands Plan Survey |
| Quality assessment |
A measure of island communities being well connected to other islands and the mainland. The source is a Scottish Government survey of island residents with a robust sample. Publicly available data. Survey repetition is intended but not guaranteed. |
| Quality Indicator Rating |
Moderate |
| Indicator 7.2: Satisfaction with island air travel |
| Description |
Island resident’s satisfaction (in terms of reliability and cost) of inter-island air services and island-mainland air services |
| Source |
Scottish Government, National Islands Plan Survey |
| Quality assessment |
A measure of island communities being well connected to other islands and the mainland. The source is a Scottish Government survey of island residents with a robust sample. Publicly available data. Survey repetition is intended but not guaranteed. |
| Quality Indicator Rating |
Moderate |
| Indicator 7.3: Satisfaction with island bus travel |
| Description |
Island resident’s satisfaction (in terms of reliability and cost) of their local on-island bus service |
| Source |
Scottish Government, National Islands Plan Survey |
| Quality assessment |
A measure of island communities being well connected on island. The source is a Scottish Government survey of island residents with a robust sample. Publicly available data. Survey repetition is intended but not guaranteed. |
| Quality Indicator Rating |
Moderate |
Outcome 8: Communities are actively involved in decision-making processes around their transport and connectivity needs.
| Indicator 8.1: Interest in transport decision-making |
| Description |
Proportion of adults in Scotland who are willing to give up some time to be involved in making decisions about transport in their local area |
| Source |
Scottish Climate Survey |
| Quality assessment |
A measure of public willingness to be involved in local transport decision-making. The source is a new random probability survey of Scottish households. Data will be made publicly available in 2025. Survey repetition is intended but not guaranteed. |
| Quality Indicator Rating |
Moderate |
| Indicator 8.2: Involvement in transport decision-making |
| Description |
Proportion of adults in Scotland who have been involved in decisions about transport in their local area in the last 12 months, and how they have done this |
| Source |
Scottish Climate Survey |
| Quality assessment |
A measure of the scale and mode of public involvement in local transport decision-making. The source is a new random probability survey of Scottish households. Data will be made publicly available in 2025. Survey repetition is intended but not guaranteed. |
| Quality Indicator Rating |
Moderate |
People and Equity outcomes
Outcome 9: Transport options are safe and secure for all, especially vulnerable people.
| Indicator 9.1: Transport safety |
| Description |
Perceptions of safety on public transport and active modes |
| Source |
Scottish Household Survey |
| Quality assessment |
A measure of the perceived safety of public transport and active travel transport modes. Publicly available data with two-year lag time. The source is a robust and representative survey of Scottish households. |
| Quality Indicator Rating |
Strong |
Outcome 10: Transport is accessible and easy to use for all, especially those with additional accessibility needs and isolated people.
| Indicator 10.1: Transport accessibility |
| Description |
Percentage of adults in Scotland who do not use buses or trains because of lack of service |
| Source |
Scottish Household Survey |
| Quality assessment |
A proxy measure for the accessibility of bus and train services. Publicly available data with two-year lag time. The source is a robust and representative survey of Scottish households. |
| Quality Indicator Rating |
Moderate |
| Indicator 10.2: Satisfaction with public transport |
| Description |
Percentage of a) all adults, and b) disabled adults, who are satisfied with public transport |
| Source |
Scottish Household Survey |
| Quality assessment |
A proxy measure for whether public transport options are accessible and easy to use, particularly for adults with disabilities. Publicly available data with two-year lag time. The source is a robust and representative survey of Scottish households. |
| Quality Indicator Rating |
Moderate |
Outcome 11: Transport options are affordable and the transition to decarbonised transport does not disproportionately burden on those with least choice and ability to pay.
| Indicator 11.1: Transport affordability |
| Description |
Overall, how easy or difficult do you find it to afford your individuals travel costs? For a) all households, b) households with annual net income up to £10,000, and c) SIMD 20% most deprived |
| Source |
Scottish Household Survey |
| Quality assessment |
A proxy measure for the cost of transport impacting on those with least ability to pay (i.e. those on low incomes and in deprived areas). Publicly available data with two-year lag time. The source is a robust and representative survey of Scottish households. |
| Quality Indicator Rating |
Moderate |
| Indicator 11.2: Spend on transport, by lowest income and most deprived |
| Description |
Average (mean) weekly spend on public transport, for a) all households, b) households with annual net income up to £15,000, and c) SIMD 20% most deprived |
| Source |
Scottish Household Survey |
| Quality assessment |
A proxy measure for the cost of public transport impact on those with least ability to pay. Publicly available data with two-year lag time. The source is a robust and representative survey of Scottish households. Aligns with National Transport Strategy |
| Quality Indicator Rating |
Moderate |
Outcome 12: Access and support for active travel options leads to healthier outcomes.
| Indicator 12.1: Active travel prevalence |
| Description |
Proportion of short journeys made by active travel |
| Source |
Scottish Household Survey |
| Quality assessment |
A proxy measure for the uptake of active travel options. Publicly available data with two-year lag time. The source is a robust and representative survey of Scottish households. |
| Quality Indicator Rating |
Moderate |
| Indicator 12.2: Health benefits from active travel |
| Description |
Proportion of adults in Scotland who have improved their a) physical health, b) mental health, and c) feel more connected to their community, as a result of using active travel rather than cars |
| Source |
Scottish Climate Survey |
| Quality assessment |
A measure of positive health outcomes as a direct result of active travel uptake. The source is a new random probability survey of Scottish households. Data will be made publicly available in 2025. Survey repetition is intended but not guaranteed. |
| Quality Indicator Rating |
Moderate |
| Indicator 12.3: Proximity to cycling infrastructure |
| Description |
Proportion of households within ten minutes of traffic-free cycling infrastructure |
| Source |
Transport Scotland |
| Quality assessment |
This indicator is currently being developed by Transport Scotland for the Active Travel Outcomes Framework. Timing of data collection is currently unknown. Aligns with National Transport Strategy |
| Quality Indicator Rating |
Weak |
Adaptation, Biodiversity and Environment outcomes
Outcome 13: Transport infrastructure is, where practicable, designed and operated to maintain and increase biodiversity levels and improve habitats.
| Indicator 13.1: TBC |
| Description |
Metric to measure natural capital for Scotland’s trunk road network currently under development |
| Source |
Transport Scotland |
| Quality assessment |
Metric under development so unable to assessment indicator quality. Will be able to measure change over time. |
| Quality Indicator Rating |
Weak (as indicator is under development) |
Outcome 14: The transport transition has contributed to improvements in air quality across Scotland.
| Indicator 14.1: Air pollutants from transport sources |
| Description |
Emissions of the nine main air pollutants that are relevant to/and from Transport Sources |
| Source |
National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory |
| Quality assessment |
Levels of air pollution as a result of transport activities, as a measure for air quality. Publicly available data with two-year lag time. The presents data with a high level of accuracy. |
| Quality Indicator Rating |
Moderate |
| Indicator 14.2: Deaths from poor air quality |
| Description |
The number of premature deaths in Scotland each year attributed to long-term exposure to poor air quality |
| Source |
Public Health Scotland |
| Quality assessment |
A proxy measure for levels of air pollution contributing to negative health outcomes, acknowledging that transport is one of the main causes of poor air quality. Publicly available data, taking a range from various estimates. |
| Quality Indicator Rating |
Moderate |
Outcome 15: The transport system is prepared for the current and future impacts of climate change and is safe for all users, reliable for everyday journeys and resilient to weather-related disruption.
| Indicator 15.1: Ferry service cancellations |
| Description |
Number of ferry service cancellations per annum in Scotland (weather related and technical faults) |
| Source |
Transport Scotland |
| Quality assessment |
A measure of the ability of Scotland’s ferry services to adapt and prepare for climate impacts. Publicly available data with a one-year lag time. Accurate data based on a count of cancellations. Aligns with SNAP3 |
| Quality Indicator Rating |
Moderate |
| Indicator 15.2: Weather-related train service delays |
| Description |
Number of weather-related train delays per annum in Scotland |
| Source |
Network Rail |
| Quality assessment |
TBC. Aligns with SNAP3 |
| Quality Indicator Rating |
Moderate |
| Indicator 15.3: Roads requiring maintenance |
| Description |
Proportion of local authority roads which may require maintenance |
| Source |
Transport Scotland |
| Quality assessment |
TBC. Aligns with SNAP3 |
| Quality Indicator Rating |
TBC |
Outcome 16: Scotland’s supply chain has minimised and mitigated embedded carbon and the wider environmental impacts associated with vehicle production, use and disposal.
| Indicator 16.1: Transport greenhouse gas emissions |
| Description |
Scottish greenhouse gas emissions for the Domestic Transport Territorial Emissions Statistics Sector |
| Source |
Scottish Government Greenhouse Gas Emissions Statistics |
| Quality assessment |
A proxy measure of the transport sector minimising the environmental impacts of vehicle production and use. Publicly available data with a two-year lag time. Source is official statistics on Scotland’s greenhouse gas emissions by sector. |
| Quality Indicator Rating |
Moderate |
| Indicator 16.2: Transport embedded carbon |
| Description |
Embedded emissions of direct household travel and embedded emissions associated with the production of road vehicles ultimately purchased in Scotland |
| Source |
Scotland’s Carbon Footprint Statistics |
| Quality assessment |
A proxy measure of the transport sector minimising embedded carbon associated with road vehicle production and purchase by Scottish consumers. Publicly available data with a four-year lag time. Source is official statistics on Scotland’s carbon footprint, i.e. modelled estimates of greenhouse gas emissions on a consumption basis. |
| Quality Indicator Rating |
Moderate |
