Travel and Environmental Implications of School Siting

This study is the first to empirically examine the relationship between school location, the built environment around schools, mode choices for trips to school, and the air emission impacts of those choices. It finds that school proximity to students matters: students with shorter walk and bike times to or from school are more likely to walk and bike. The built environment influences travel choices; students traveling through higher-quality environments are more likely to bicycle and walk. Because of differences in travel behavior, school location has an impact on air emissions. Centrally located schools that are accessible by walking and bicycling reduce air pollution. The results suggest that actions to improve students’ walking environments and to support communities that wish to locate schools in neighborhoods will result in an increase in student walking and biking to school. Increased walking and biking can reduce emissions related to auto travel and improve environmental quality.

Author: Reid Ewing