Hoelscher, Michelle

Research Paper

Texas

703952105

Final report

Southwest Region University Transportation Center (U.S.)

NTL-ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT-ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT ; NTL-ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT-Air Quality ; NTL-SAFETY AND SECURITY-SAFETY AND SECURITY ; NTL-PEDESTRIAN AND BICYCLES-PEDESTRIAN AND BICYCLES ;

School districts in Texas and many other states have, in recent years, increased the “walk zones”

surrounding schools to a 2-mile perimeter. Inside this perimeter, either no school bus service is

offered, or service is offered only with a fee to parents. Many families living in these

neighborhoods opt to drive their children to school, resulting in daily traffic congestion in front of

schools (and often spilling onto adjacent streets). The increased vehicle traffic surrounding

school facilities presents safety concerns, increases congestion and emissions caused by vehicle

idling, and can discourage walking and bicycling even for children living closer to the school.

This project will measure the cost benefits of implementing a school bus idle reduction program

as a means to offset the cost of increased bus service. Increased bus service would provide a less

congested school zone thus providing a safer environment for walkers and bike riders living less

than 1 mile from school.

PDF

DTRT07-G-0006

US Transportation Collection