The RAC Foundation (alternatively Royal Automobile Club Foundation for Motoring Ltd or Royal Automobile Club Foundation[1]) is a charity and motoring advocacy organisation that "explores the economic, environmental, mobility and safety issues relating to roads and motor vehicles and campaigns to secure a fair deal for responsible road users".[2]
Established as a research arm of RAC Motoring Services Ltd in 1991 which was at the time a division of the Royal Automobile Club, it became an independent organisation in 1999 when RAC Motoring Services Ltd was sold and later gained charitable status. RAC Motoring Services Ltd was subsequently re-branded as RAC plc.
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The organisation was formed in 1991.[3]
In 1995 it published a report on Car dependency (see below for details).
It became independent of RAC Motoring Services in 1999 and received a legacy from the members of the Royal Automobile who had sold RAC Motoring Services. It subsequently became a charity.[3]
Professor Stephen Glaister OBE was appointed director in April 2008.[4] In July 2008 the RAC Foundation became a partner in the Campaign for Safe Road Design which is calling on the UK government to make safe road design a national transport priority.[5]
David Quarmby was appointed chairman in July 2009.[6]
The organisation has a board of six trustees with David Quarmby as its chair.[7]
A Public Policy Committee, also chaired by Quarmby has an advisory body consisting of 14 members with transport experience, mainly drawn from academia, politics and business. The committee is consulted about research, strategy, major campaigns and future policy.[7]
Day to day activity is managed by Professor Stephen Glaister and various permanent staff.[7]
In 1995 the RAC Foundation published a report 'Car dependency' which drew attention to the problems created by a transport system where it is often nearly impossible to travel conveniently without a car.[8]
In 2007 they published 'Trends in Modal Shift: An analysis of the British Social Attitudes Survey'.[8]