Citation

Aarnikko H, Kytta M, Myllymaki T. Tiehallinnon Selvityksia, Finnra Reports 2002; 53/2002(TIEH 3200784).

Copyright

(Copyright © 2002)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

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Abstract

Several European countries have taken steps to safeguard children's mobility. The environment in which children move about has changed noticeably during the last few decades. Greater mobility and dispersion of the community structure have increased automobile traffic. Growth in automobile traffic is one of the most significant reasons for limiting children's freedom of mobility. Parents' concern for their children's safety has increased transporting of children to school and hobbies. As a result, children get less daily exercise, their stamina is lower, and they are more often overweight. Another consequence of transporting children is more automobile traffic, which increases the feeling of insecurity in the vicinity of schools, day care centers and places where hobbies are pursued. The goal of this work is to provide an easy-to-understand report on children's mobility needs, problems and Finnra's consideration of the children's viewpoint in its operation today. Reporting on the present situation is emphasized in the work. The work also examines procedures and example cases where children are able to participate in planning. The goal is to propose concrete, practical measures and "first steps" in considering the children's viewpoint in Finnra's operation. Districts today do not have uniform road management practices for taking the children's viewpoint into consideration. In spite of this, several districts have attempted to support children's mobility and a safe environment in which to move about. For example, the districts' policies may place weight on children's road safety in conjunction with school surroundings. The policies also improve children's conditions by means of quality mass transport corridors and by improving bus stop conditions. A survey of the districts indicated that safe children's school routes are a goal in most road safety plans. Finnra's policy recognizes children's right to be taken into consideration as a separate road user group. Children do not, however, form a separate customer group in Finnra's processes. The child as a customer - would promote children's possibilities of influencing road management. Today the impact on children is primarily assessed as a part of the pedestrian and cyclist group or as one of the weaker groups. The child as a customer would ensure equal assessment of the children's viewpoint and the impact on children both regionally and in the different aspects of road management. The child as a customer - requires inclusion of the children's viewpoint in all of Finnra's processes. Expanding assessment of the effects of road management to include its impact on children requires development of and experimentation with procedures allowing children's participation and interaction. Development of children's participation should be steered by an attempt to achieve authentic interaction rather than token participation.

Language: fi