Understanding Planning and Implementation of School Active Transportation Initiatives Across Alberta: Champions’ Perspectives ( poster )

Abstract

Since 2001, SHAPE (Safe Healthy Active People Everywhere) works with schools to undertake school active transportation (AT; walk, cycle, etc.) planning. However, little is understood about what makes a successful and sustainable school AT program in diverse school communities across Alberta, and how champions work together to achieve their school AT goals. Using an ecological lens, school AT planning within urban, suburban and rural Albertan communities, will be examined to: i) identify common and unique barriers and facilitators within each setting; ii) identify common and unique strategies utilized to address barriers and leverage facilitators; iii) translate findings into an updated SHAPE resources; and iv) identify strategies for local and provincial government to support school AT. Partners of SHAPE and supporters of provincial school AT, formed a committee consisting of a researcher from Alberta Centre for Active Living, and a practitioner each from Ever Active Schools, Alberta Culture and Tourism, and Be Fit for Life Provincial Unit. An online survey was developed by the committee with questions about: school demographics, years of active school AT programming, types of AT initiatives (including policies, infrastructure projects, and school programs), and barriers and facilitators of AT planning. The survey will be administered through SHAPE’s network across the four quadrants of Alberta in Spring 2017. Key informant interviews will follow to illicit greater understanding of champions’ perspectives. Since 2001, over 650 of schools have sought SHAPE assistance and programming to undertake school AT planning and initiatives. Although results are forthcoming, data from surveys and interviews will be used to: highlight current practices and unique strategies of school AT champions; update SHAPE resources to support current and prospective AT champions; and determine policy implications for local and provincial government. This study will contribute to a provincial knowledge gap by synthesizing and sharing best practices of school AT with other champions and schools across Alberta. Knowledge gained is also anticipated to inform local and provincial governing bodies to support school AT.