Every morning over 250,000 children travel to school in the Auckland region, and over half these trips are made by car. In the past 20 years, the percentage of children being driven to school has more than doubled.
What is a School Travel Plan?
A School Travel Plan involves a set of practical strategies which aim to improve road safety and reduce car trips to school. Plans are developed and implemented by the whole school community in partnership with the Rodney District Council and the Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA), as part of Travel Wise.
The Travel Wise School Travel Plan Programme is designed to deliver a safer road environment to the community, reduce congestion outside the school gates, and improve sustainable transport options in and around the school.
How does a School Travel Plan work?
In order to achieve the aims of the School Travel Plan, several strategies are adopted which are based around education, enforcement and engineering initiatives.
Education strategies can include things such as teaching kids to cross the road safely or cycle safety courses.
Enforcement strategies may involve Police Officers and Council By-law staff ticketing people parking on yellow lines.
Engineering strategies can include things such as installing a school gateway treatment near school to slow traffic or improve/construct footpaths.
Schools throughout the Rodney district have School Travel Plans in place.
How do I join the Travel Wise School Travel Plan Programme?
If your school is interested in joining the Travel Wise School Travel Plan programme, please contact us.