The purpose of this resource is to gain an understanding from parents and caregivers about what factors influence their child’s travel mode, and what their top concerns are about the journey to and from school. It is geared towards students in Kindergarten through Grade 8.

Description

A Family Travel Survey is a brief survey completed by parents/caregivers about their child’s school journey. The survey asks questions about: grade, school bus eligibility, travel mode, reasons for travel mode choices, travel time, factors that would encourage walking and cycling for the school journey, and locations of concern.

The survey findings help to:

• Identify the key issues that need to be investigated further, e.g., concerns about traffic speeds on a particular street; and
• Explore what actions are needed to get more children to walk, cycle, or take the school bus, e.g,. installing bike racks or providing pedestrian safety training.

Analysis of the survey results can be used to plan the route for a Walkabout to take a closer look at the locations of concern identified by families.

As it involves contacting parents and caregivers, the Family Travel Survey should be conducted anonymously and with the consent of the School Principal. A paper copy of the survey can be sent home via student backpacks ,or a link to an online version can be emailed to families.

What you will need

• Consent from the school principal
• Survey tools (see Resources)
• School administrator to help distribute the survey to families and collect responses

Who can help

Teachers, school administrators, parents, and caregivers.

Key words

Survey, tools, data collection, travel mode, family travel behaviour, parental perceptions, parents, caregivers, families, students, traffic safety, walk, bicycle, school bus, public transit, car.