What are cookies?
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) defines a cookie as “a small file of letters and numbers that is downloaded on to your computer when you visit a website. Cookies are used by many websites and can do a number of things e.g. remembering your preferences, recording what you have put in your shopping basket, and counting the number of people looking at a website.”
Current cookie legislation
On 26 May 2012, new European law relating to use of web cookies came into force in the UK that will affect most web sites. The rules on cookies are covered by The Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003 and The Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) (Amendment) Regulations 2011 and ICO is responsible for enforcing these new rules.
The regulations also cover similar technologies for storing information, e.g. Flash cookies. The ICO and International Chamber of Commerce both provided guidance and advice on EU cookie directive and its implementation. Please refer to their detailed guides for more information:
- Information Commissioner Office – advice for members of the public [pdf]
- International Chamber of Commerce UK Cookie Guide [pdf]
General use of information collected, used and stored by Imperial College London is governed by Imperial College policies.
Types of cookies
1. Strictly necessary cookies
These will generally be used to store a unique identifier to manage and identify the user as unique to other users currently viewing the website, in order to provide a consistent and accurate service to the user.
2. Functionality cookies
Will typically be the result of a user action, but might also be implemented in the delivery of a service not explicitly requested but offered to the user. They can also be used to prevent the user being offered a service again that had previously been offered to that user and rejected.
3. Performance cookies
These are limited to performance and website improvement.
4. Targeting/advertising cookies
These contain a unique key that is able to distinguish individual users’ browsing habits or store a code that can be translated into a set of browsing habits or preferences using information stored elsewhere.
Cookies set by the Transport Strategy Centre at Imperial College London
Most cookies set by us are temporary, or session, cookies and they are removed from your browser when your session ends. You do not need to take any action to remove them. Some of these cookies are essential in providing the services you are requesting from us during the session so when they are disabled parts of the web site may stop working. We therefore encourage you to accept the cookies we serve. However, if you wish to restrict or block the cookies which are set by our or any other website, you can do this through your Browser settings.
Strictly necessary cookies
| Cookie Name | Description | Behaviour |
| wordpress_sec_{} | Set by WordPress for a logged in admin user | Temporary, removed at the end of session. Essential to login into the admin interface. |
| wordpress_logged_in_{} | Set by WordPress for a logged in admin user | Temporary, removed at the end of session. Essential to login into the admin interface. |
Functionality cookies
| Cookie name | Description | Behaviour |
| wp-settings-{user id} | Set by WordPress for protected content to customize your view of admin interface and also the main site interface. | Persistent, expires after 1 year. Essential to login into the admin interface. |
| wp-settings-time-{user id} | Cookie set by WordPress for protected content | Persistent, expires after 1 year. Essential to login into the admin interface. |
| wordpress_test_cookie | Test cookie set by WordPress for protected content | Temporary, removed at the end of session. Essential to login into the admin interface. |
Performance cookies
This website does not use performance cookies
Targeting / advertising cookies
This website does not use any targeting or advertising cookies.
Cookies set by 3rd parties
This website uses 3rd party plugin/services; however, they do not currently set any cookies.
Sharing information via social network sites
This website does not share information with social network sites.
Clearing or restricting cookies
If you like keeping your browsing private, you may wish to clear history and cookies after the session. You can do so by using the browser, device settings or 3rd party tools.
You may also wish to check and set any devices or browsers to restrict or block cookies by default for all or selected web sites only. You can manage cookie usage through your browser settings:
Mobile devices may have their own settings and you may need to refer to vendor manuals. Please note that disabling or restricting cookies may impact some parts of the web site and they will stop working.
Contact us
For queries regarding privacy, use of cookies or other information please contact us at john.sing-key@imperial.ac.uk and alexandra.williams@imperial.ac.uk.