Collaborative School Travel Solutions During Community Transitions ( breakout presentation )

Abstract

Background New school builds, subdivision developments, infill projects, intensification projects and retro-fits all present the possibility for traffic confusion and transportation barriers. Typically, during construction, stakeholders from various groups work on different levels of knowledge and hold different expectations for the transition, which can leave students facing more dangerous routes than expected, or sitting on the bus for a lengthy ride when they live within a few minutes' walking distance; and both of these situations often result in increased single-vehicle traffic at the school site. Community transitions are often phased in over many months or years, during which communities learn traffic behaviours that are difficult to re-train. Description of Intervention In the Waterloo Region, School Travel Planning is collaboratively funded by two school boards and three municipalities. This model presents a great opportunity to pull together developers; school, municipal and regional transportation + land-use planners; engineers; police; principals; superintendents; crossing guard supervisors; and landscape architects (trails), to work together on an ongoing basis towards infrastructure solutions (both temporary and permanent) that manage traffic and ensure an optimized number of students have the opportunity to walk to school as new phases of development and sidewalks, roads, and trails are completed after opening. Outcomes This discussion will outline the transitional solutions created at three locations: (1) Riverside Elementary as a new build within a subdivision development, where temporary asphalt paths were placed to enable students to walk, and where a level II pedestrian crossover presented a need for education and development of new crossing guard tactics. (2) Chicopee Hills Elementary as a new build bordered by two regional roads currently without sidewalks and a marshy city park land. The school will open prior to residences and a commercial plaza planned along the property entrance and main route to the school. (3) Saginaw Road where plans to infill a golf course with single family dwellings will impact three area schools. Implications STP can optimize walkability during transitional phases of development from the moment a school is opened; which is especially important when subsequent phases take much longer than expected, or are never completed.