1. Encouraging modal shift for travel to school across Europe: The Traffic Snake Game
European Transport Conference
Barcelona, Spain - 5 October 2016
John Colclough, WYG
Contract number: IEE/13/516/SI
Project duration: 02/ /2017

2. Introduction What is the Traffic Snake Game (TSG)?
Started as a small project in Flanders
Environmentally friendly, healthy and safe travel to school
Europe wide campaign played in 19 countries
Managed by three core partners

3. Presentation structure
Background: evidence and benefits
Methodology
Results
Discussion and conclusions

4. Background – Active travel and health evidence
UK and World Health Organisation physical activity levels recommended for children 5 to 18 years old:
60 minutes of moderate activity per day
3 times a week vigorous activity
Percentage of children meeting the target is decreasing in Europe and the UK – related to physical environment, socioeconomic status…

5. Background – Active travel and health benefits
Active travel to school influences overall levels of physical activity
Healthier body composition and cardiorespiratory fitness
Some links with sedentary behaviour and weight status

6. Background – Environmental impacts evidence
59% increase in emissions from school travel between 1990 and 2006
1.17 tonnes of CO2 equivalent from school travel in 2010
High exposure of children to emissions causes poor metabolic health, skeletal problems, and respiratory problems

7. Background – Environmental benefits potential
Trends are difficult to reverse and are also related to school selection procedures
Biggest potential for primary schools, schools with very low sustainable travel levels, and schools in urban areas

8. Background – Independent mobility evidence
Children’s independent (unsupervised) mobility fell from 70% to only 9% between 1970 and 1990 in the UK
Similar declines seen in other European countries

9. Background – Independent mobility benefits
Independent mobility decreases the risks of children becoming overweight
Psychological benefits
Improved social interactions with friends and neighbours

10. Background – Gamification evidence and benefits
Gamification is the use of rewards and incentives to achieve desired behaviours in every day life by making these behaviours fun.
Potential to increase physical activity
Incorporation of elements of gamification in actions should take into account issues of equity

11. Background – Road safety evidence and benefits
Congestion is a serious issue during drop off and pick up times around schools
No consistent evidence on accident numbers
Significant benefits from congestion reduction and road safety education for pupils, parents, and teachers

12. Methodology – Study design
Traffic Snake Game Network: Created to replicate and transfer the TSG
The project builds upon previous experience with European projects (CONNECT, PRESTO, BAMBINI)
Played in 19 countries
Initial targets: 60 schools per country
15% shift from car to cleaner modes
15% CO2 emissions reduction

13. Methodology – Playing the TSG
1 banner, class, and mode stickers
2 game weeks
1 pre-measurement and 1 post-measurement

14. Methodology – Parallel activities
Teachers are encouraged to set up a ‘deluxe’ version.
Activities include:
Car free days
Cycle training
Road safety training around school

15. Recruitment Schools National events Workshops
Collaboration with local authorities
Children and parents
Information letters
Training

16. Website
EU website
Bespoke websites for each country
Dashboard

17. Website
Digi-board

18. Website
Results

19. Data collection 12 days: 1 before, 10 campaign days, 1 after
Data entered via online Dashboard or paper forms
TSG 2.0: Data entered directly online by the pupils using a smartboard

20. Monitoring, analysis and evaluation
Bi-annual tracker (game and other activities)
National Action Plans
Analysis
Cleansing website data (data typing, test schools)
Evaluation
Modal shift (after the campaign and retention)
Car kilometres and associated emissions*
*final emissions offset savings not identifiable

21. Results (until January 2016)
No campaigns organised between February and July 2014
Data collection issues – 79% of schools provided at least 11 of the 12 measurements
546 schools
576 campaigns
Over 82,000 pupils
17% increase in sustainable trips
16% increase after 2 weeks (high levels of retention)

22. Conclusions (1) Successful NFPs Romania Bulgaria Greece
Few existing/historic mobility campaigns
Snowball effect

23. Conclusions (2) Less successful NFPs UK Netherlands Germany
Multiple mobility campaigns available
Focus on one campaign per year

24. Conclusions (3) Upper vs lower tier local authorities
Data collection: basic methods, manual entry
Teachers’ focus on short term benefits
Limited use of TSG as a monitoring tool

25. Thank you!