1. School Travel Planning in Canada Jacky Kennedy Director, Canada Walks Green Communities Canada Canadian TDM Summit 2009

2. School Travel Planning in Canada STP in Canada / History What is STP / Benefits Pilot Results Summary

3. CST Guideline 1 In transport and land-use planning, the needs of children and youth should receive as much priority as the needs of people of other ages and the requirements of business. Progress in Canada towards achieving this goal. www.kidsonthemove.ca

4. School Travel Planning History in Canada PHASE 1 (Sept 2006 –Mar 2007): Research international best practice & develop recommendations for Canada Transport Canada PHASE 2 (Nov 2007 –Mar 2009): Pilot test School Travel Planning in 4 provinces Public Health Agency of Canada PHASE 3 (Apr 2009 & beyond): Roll out School Travel Planning across Canada Public Health Agency of Canada/George Weston

5. Best Practices – Models for National Active School Travel  U.S.A. Safe, Accountable, Flexible & Efficient Transportation Equity Act – A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU)  New Zealand, Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA)  Victoria, Australia, Walking School Bus Program  U.K. School Travel Plan Strategy

6. What is School Travel Planning?  A School Travel Plan is both a document and a process; addressing the issues of sustainability, safety and health associated with ‘the school run’ using a community- based approach.  The School Travel Planning approach has been used with success in many countries.

7. Overview of School Travel Planning Process SET-UP (Jun) DATA COLLECTION *Baseline (Sept/Oct) *Final (May) ACTION PLANNING (Oct – Dec) IMPLEMENTATION (Oct – Jun) THE STP DOCUMENT Year 1 Year 2

8. Benefits of School Travel Planning  Considers school travel as part of overall municipal transportation policies and plans  Sets specific implementation targets  Involves all relevant stakeholders  Economic benefits accrue  Provides measurable targets  Supports regional and national priorities

9. School Travel Planning Pilot Project Partners  Four provinces: British Columbia: Way to Go! School Program* Alberta: SHAPE Ontario: Green Communities Nova Scotia: Ecology Action  3 pilot schools & 2 control schools in each province

10. Results: A Canadian Study of Rates and Barriers Faculty of Physical Education and Health, Faculty of Geography University of Toronto Beesley, T., Faulkner, G., Arbour, K., Builing, R.

11. National Prevalence

12. Provincial Modes of Transport

13. Main reasons for driving

14. Neighbourhood Barriers

15. Neighbourhood Safety

16. Predictors of PST 1. Neighbourhood Barriers (expΒ = -.621) 2. Not allowed out alone (expΒ = -.397) 3. Unsafe Neighbourhood (expΒ = -.354) Non-significant Predictors 1. Distance 2. Short distances between intersections 3. Alternative routes from getting place to place

17. Independence and reasons for driving

18. Change in Driving Habits

19. National Hands-Up Survey Results at Pilot Schools

20. Most Effective Activities

21. Parents who usually drive

22. Program Expansion New:  Manitoba - 3 schools  Saskatchewan - 3 schools  The Yukon - 3 schools Existing:  Nova Scotia - 3 + 2 schools  Ontario - 3 + 25 schools  Alberta - 3 + 3 schools  British Columbia - 3 + 6 schools

23. National School Travel Planning Support  STP Toolkit including STP Facilitator Guidebook, data collection tools, data entry tools, sample forms and documents  STP page on web – www.saferoutestoschool.ca  STP Facilitator training webinars  STP Facilitator conference calls  STP national meetings  STP national newsletter  STP measurements collected

24. Summary  Creation of a model STP framework for Canada  Survey results timed to meet funder deadlines  Results collected before implementation  Schools may not achieve higher rates of active travel initially  Groundwork has been set - pilot is expanding  School Travel Plans documented and approved by stakeholders

25. Thank You www.saferoutestoschool.ca/schooltravel.asp