The Commissioner supports and encourages consultations, research and the promotion of good practice.
This section summarises the involvement of the office during 2024/25.
Scottish Road Research Board (SRRB)
SRRB is a partnership between Transport Scotland, SCOTS and the Commissioner.
SRRB commissions research and development to inform improvements in safety, construction, operation and maintenance of the Scottish road network. Objectives include promoting innovation and best practice across roads authorities.
The research programme is jointly funded by Transport Scotland and SCOTS.
Transport Scotland Pavement Forum (TSPF)
The TSPF was established to promote and develop best practice in the selection and use of paving materials, specifically for use on the Scottish trunk road network. The remit was broadened in 2010 to cover all aspects of road pavement design, construction and maintenance, selection of material types and drainage across both trunk and local road networks.
The Commissioner has continued to have representation on this group through the reporting period.
Mobility and Access Committee Scotland (MACS)
The Mobility and Access Committee for Scotland (MACS) was established in 2002 and is an advisory non departmental public body which is constituted to:
- consider matters about the needs of disabled persons in connection with transport that the committee think are appropriate.
- advise the Scottish Ministers about those matters that the committee think are appropriate.
The Commissioner continued to engage with MACS through the reporting period.
Transport Scotland Roads for All Forum
The Transport Scotland ‘Roads for All Forum’ was established in 2006 comprising representatives of disability groups, Transport Scotland and the Scottish Government. This group continues to meet in order to support, influence and monitor Scottish Government action and policy; to ensure that needs are recognised and understood; and to seek active promotion of equality for disabled people. The Commissioner joined the forum in 2023.
Scottish Collaboration of Transport Specialists (SCOTS)
The Scottish Collaboration of Transport Specialists (SCOTS), formerly the Society of Chief Officers of Transportation in Scotland was founded in 1996 following a change in local government. It is a strategic body comprising of transportation professionals from all the 32 councils and the seven regional transport partnerships. The society's work involves improving performance and innovation in the design, delivery and maintenance of transportation systems.
The Commissioner is keen to promote best practice amongst roads authorities and is now a regular attendee at the SCOTS Executive Board.