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Abstract

The main objective of this report is to establish the problems that Gleneagles Elementary School and West Bay Elementary School are facing in terms of school traffic, and to provide recommendations and insight for those schools and others in the area on the ways that school traffic can be alleviated and active transportation can be encouraged. The information in this report as well as the final recommendations are intended to inform these two schools and the District of West Vancouver of the barriers schools can encounter and possible solutions in terms of school travel plans. It is important to note that the use of school bus programs has been excluded from this research due to the West Vancouver School Board illustrating the large barriers around school bus programs, such as finances. Barriers to Active Transportation Benefits to Active Transportation 1. Safety concerns surrounding active transportation 1. Improvements in physical health 2. Improvements in academic performance 2. Convenience of a vehicle 3. Sustainable Gleneagles Elementary School Problems: • Not enough children taking active transportation to/from school • Parents and guardians disobeying parking regulations • Not using pre-­‐existing programs Recommendations: • Utilization of the Spirit Trail (once installed) • Create a school brochure including information on the school’s parking regulations and programs in place, along with a URL to the Hub for Active School Travel website • Place cones and pylons in no-­‐stopping zones • Programs: park and walk program, walk/bike to school week program, classroom engagement West Bay Elementary School Problem: • Not enough children taking active transportation to/from school Recommendations: • Programs: park and walk program (possibly combined with a walking school bus program), walk/bike to school week program, classroom engagement • Advertise all of the above in the school brochure, along with a URL to the Hub for Active School Travel website