Dr Fanny Lalot spoke to Claudia Hammond on BBC Radio 4, on recent School research around encouraging people to turn off their engines while waiting in Canterbury, and its effect on air quality.
Dr Fanny Lalot was asked about how different signs at a railway level crossing in Canterbury might influence drivers to turn their engines off while they’re waiting for the barriers to lift.
The 3 messages tested at the level crossing were:
- Please switch off your engine as you will improve air quality in the area
- Please join other responsible drivers in Canterbury and turn off your engine when the barriers are down
- Think about your actions, when the barriers are down please turn off your engine
Dr Lalot explains how each of the messages and words used tried to convince people to turn off their engine at the crossing. The most effective message was Number 2 which highlighted what other responsible drivers were doing, they found an increase of people turning off their engines going up by 42%.
The BBC Radio 4 interview from last week was also played on BBC World Service.
Listen to the full interview from 17 minutes 30 to hear from Dr Lalot
Read more about the research, funded by Canterbury County Council, here.