Childrens Safe Journey to School Children Child Pedestrian - - PDF document

XI ICTCT Workshop Vancouver, BC March 9, 2018

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Best Practice Review Projects

Safe Journeys to School Initiative (2015) Best Practices in School Zone Safety (2018) Best Practices in Regional Planning for School Travel (2016)

Children’s Safe Journey to School

Children…

are more vulnerable (less mass/ tolerance to impact) are smaller/lower (harder to see) move more slowly (require more crossing time, carrying bags) have less cognition (ability to assess risk and make judgments) have greater attention deficit (focus

• n play, friends and phones)

move more suddenly (less pre- thought, incidental) are more engaged with increased involvement

Child Pedestrian Vulnerability

Factors Impacting Child Perception

• f What is “Safe”

Comfort / Easy / Direct Road type/noise Crossing distance Level of crossing protection Level of communication Weather (risk of freezing, slipping/falling) Security Emotional (esp. with parents)

“Journey” Considerations

Departure / reversing Parent drop-off / pick-up choices Sidewalks Bicycle facilities Crossing locations Interfaces Arrival (school property)

Mode Choice (St. Albert, Alberta)

Mode Split (spring/fall):

46% bus 28% car 18% walk 6% bike

Mode Split (winter):

47% bus 37% car 13% walk 0% bike

Journey Distance

47%

Journey Distance

“School” Definition

School Zone / Area School frontage School property and entrances Layouts and access points are highly variable…each school is different!

Safe Journey Countermeasures

Collisions Infrastructure

Observations

Behavioural

Observations (incl. traffic conflicts)

Best Practice Research Engagement Activities

Based on balanced evidence from several sources:

Engagement Methodology

SUPPORTING STRATEGIES: “Walking/Cycling School Buses” Theme days and contests Discuss weather barriers Do walkabouts/bikeabouts Develop safe routes to school maps Work with cycling groups Pilot bike lanes / road diets Rear pathways / alternate entrances Keep facilities free of snow

Principle #1: Promotion of Active Travel Modes Walking School Bus

SUPPORTING STRATEGIES: Driver training programs More flexible cost structure On-board storage On-board surveillance Address issues at bus stops Optimize routes to avoid congestion Proximity to school entrances Collision avoidance technology Winterization of school buses/tires Spacious passenger waiting areas

Principle #2: Shift to School Bus Transportation

Passenger Waiting Area

SUPPORTING STRATEGIES: Gateway treatments Real-time flashers Speed zone reminders Speed reader-boards and follow-up enforcement Rewards for compliance Raised crosswalks/curb extensions Targeted speed enforcement Automated speed enforcement

Principle #3: Speed Management Raised Crosswalk Gateway Treatment

SUPPORTING STRATEGIES: Discuss concerns with students Reflective/climate-appropriate clothing Snow blading policy Sidewalk clearing policy Windrow clearance policy “Winter app” to report windrows Enhanced signage and warning Enhanced crosswalks

Principle #4: Management of Winter Conditions

SUPPORING STRATEGIES: Revised hierarchy of controls No Stopping within 10-15 metres of crosswalks Curb extensions/Raised crosswalks/In-street signs Use of zebra/ladder markings at school crossings Higher visibility markings Enhanced student patrols, Adult guards for unique cases Temporary measures (e.g. cones) Illumination of pathways/crosswalks Advance warning measures Maintenance of shrubs Automated pedestrian detection

Principle #5: Enhanced Crossing Facilities

High-Visibility Crosswalk

SUPPORTING STRATEGIES: Multiple frontage / corner Separates access points for buses and vehicles/staff Reverse-in staff parking in central part of lot Location of school entrances Low fences/shrubs to prevent jaywalking Stacking at the downstream end One-way on-site circulation Sidewalks outside of driveways Consistent on-site signage Staggered hours for nearby schools

Principle #6: Well-sited and planned school sites

Direct connection from sidewalks and bus zone to school entrance

SUPPORTING STRATGIES: Separation of buses and vehicles Institute “No unattended vehicles” Shorter times for pick-up/drop-off Restrict stopping across the street Possibility of shared zones outside

• f peaks

Use of positive/symbolic signing Busing / parking patrols Approach from/park on same side Use of City parking lots where available

Principle #7: Optimize Use of PU/DO Areas

SUPPORTING STRATEGIES: Public traffic safety committee School-based traffic safety committees Dedicated funding for traffic safety Continued, expanded collaboration between all partners Standardized student newsletter content Traffic fines that better reflect risk RCMP members dedicated to school safety Maintain Safe Journeys website Implement/enhance curriculum Review locations/corridors raised as concerns Traffic Conflict monitoring program

Principle #8: Traffic Safety Governance Cultural Transformation

City of St. Albert Safe Journeys Website: http://stalbert.ca/living-here/community- directory/schools/safe-journeys/ Raheem Dilgir, P.Eng., PTOE, MBA (604)563-9988 | raheem@transafe.ca