Analysis of the problems experienced by scholars during school travel : a case study

Abstract

Paper presented at the 26th Annual Southern African Transport Conference 9 - 12 July 2007 "The challenges of implementing policy?", CSIR International Convention Centre, Pretoria, South Africa. ABSTRACT:Approximately 34 000 pedestrian casualties occur annually on South African roads. This includes approximately 4000 deaths, 10 000 serious injuries and 20 000 minor injuries, costing the country an estimated R2,55 billion. Statistics indicate that pedestrians are most at risk. School children have been recognized as forming a considerable percentage of the pedestrians. It is thus important to understand factors that influence children’s travel patterns as an initial step to reduce the accident rate. This paper examines children’s travel patterns at primary and secondary schools level in the eThekwini area. In the absence of statistics regarding education trip-making, a questionnaire survey has been established to determine demographics, mode of travel to school, travel cost and duration, factors influencing alternate mode of travel and problems experienced during school travel in terms of road safety. An on site investigation has been carried out for the assessment of engineering aspects inclusive of geometric design, traffic calming, signage and other traffic management aspects. The findings of the pilot survey were presented at the 24th Southern African Transport Conference held in 2005. Some of the main findings highlights that the speed limit was not desirable, wide roads made it difficult for school children to cross and an absence of formal travel plans at schools. This paper focuses on scholar transport and will discuss the findings of the main survey and site investigations.