Travel patterns at two secondary schools in Ireland

The rapidly increasing level of car ownership and usage in Ireland is resulting in progressively more traffic congestion throughout the country. Traffic management teams are examining ways of reducing traffic density as part of a broader transportation policy. However, there are currently very limited statistics on travel patterns in Ireland. Secondary school children travel to and from school at peak traffic flow periods, adding significantly to local traffic congestion and pollution. In order to explore ways of minimising vehicle density around and on the approach roads to schools, the travel patterns of secondary school children in Ireland were investigated by means of a classroom-based survey. Two schools were studied: one in a rural location in County Leitrim and the other in Dublin. There was no difference between the three age groups studied, although significant differences in travel patterns were observed between the schools. Recommendations as to how school travel in Ireland could be made more sustainable are presented. The benefits gained from the inclusion of travel plans into the existing green schools programme are considerable both in terms of reducing accident rates and reducing car usage, which in turn have positive environmental and social impacts.