Factors affecting mode choice for the home–elementary school journey: Evidence from Halifax, Canada Journal Articles uri icon

  •  
  • Overview
  •  
  • Research
  •  
  • Identity
  •  
  • Additional Document Info
  •  
  • View All
  •  

abstract

  • AbstractThis research investigates personal, school, neighbourhood, and weather characteristics that are associated with travel mode choices for children's direct journeys between home and school. Travel diary and socio‐demographic data were collected from elementary school students aged 5 to 11 years in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and were joined with characteristics about their respective school, neighbourhood, and weather. Multinomial and mixed logistic regression were used to examine the relationships between these characteristics and choices between car, bus, and walk travel modes. Results indicate that personal, school, neighbourhood, and weather characteristics all impact mode choice decisions, yet distance between home and school is among the most significant. To promote active travel between home and school, our findings suggest that smaller elementary schools should be sited centrally within compact, high‐density neighbourhoods that are designed for active travel, thereby minimizing school travel distances and maximizing the practicality of active travel modes.

publication date

  • June 2019