Increasing concern over the cost and safety of school journeys, allied to an interest in how pupils use the transport system, has led to a number of studies of school travel, which are summarised in this report. Attention is restricted to journeys to primary and secondary schools. Considerable differences are found between journeys to the two types of school which reflect the age and capabilities of the pupil, and the size and location of the schools. Journeys to primary schools are usually short and about four-fifths are made on foot. Secondary school pupils travel longer distances and are more likely to use motorised transport. The main influences on travel mode are journey length, school type and location, and household car ownership. Although cycle ownership amongst young people is common, few cycles are used for the school journey. Reference is made to findings of research concerned with safety, congestion both at school entrances and more generally in the transport system, to methods of reducing the cost of school travel to local authorities, and to the potential for reducing the demand for motorised travel. (Author/publisher)
Abstract