Citation

Zaccari V. Road Transp. Res. 2003; 12(1): 70-79.

Affiliation

Road Safety Officer, Leichhardt Council, Sydney, NSW, Australia

Copyright

(Copyright © 2003, Australian Road Research Board)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Leichhardt Council, in partnership with the Health Promotion Unit of Central Sydney Area Health Services, piloted a Walk to School (WTS) project with the school community of Forest Lodge Public School, an inner-Sydney (NSW) primary school. The project aimed specifically to raise awareness about the benefits of walking and increase the number of primary school children being walked to and from school instead of being driven, within a broader concern to manage travel to school through a whole-of-school approach and the delivery of a coordinated, integrated package of measures designed to lead to a safer and healthier community. More than 80% of the 234 students lived within 1 km of the school and therefore within walking distance. However, at least 47% were driven to school and a further 15% travelled by bus. The survey revealed a significant suppressed demand for walking and cycling. This paper contextualises the methodology of the project within a travel management model, provides a brief outline of the strategies implemented and summarises the outcomes of the project. Travel data collected over a four-week period demonstrated an overall 3.4% reduction in car trips. The classes with the largest (61%) percentage of students whose journey to school was by car experienced the largest travel mode shift (14% reduction). On the strength of these outcomes, Leichhardt Council has extended the project into a 5-year program. The pilot project won several health promotional, road safety and environmental education awards.