TheRAC Foundation (Royal Automobile Club Foundation) is a UK charity that undertakes transport research and policy analysis. Its work spans transport economics and funding, environmental impacts, mobility and access, and road safety. The foundation publishes reports, briefings and datasets intended for use by policymakers, practitioners and the public.
The foundation was established in 1991 as the research division ofRAC Motoring Services. Following corporate changes in the late 1990s involving theRoyal Automobile Club, the organisation became independent and was later registered as a charity.
The foundation is governed by a board of trustees and advised by a Public Policy Committee. Day-to-day operations are carried out by the director and senior staff.
The foundation’s activity includes policy research, analysis of official and proprietary datasets, and the public release of data resources. Areas of focus commonly include:
Outputs are published as reports, short notes and data releases on subjects such as fuel prices, vehicle use and low-emission vehicles. The foundation has also supported external projects where these align with its research aims.
Work published by the foundation has periodically been discussed in engineering and transport media, including debate about terminology and the presentation of findings in specific reports.