Transcript slides - European Transport Conference Past Papers

Encouraging modal shift for travel to
school across Europe:
The Traffic Snake Game
European Transport Conference
Barcelona, Spain - 5 October 2016
John Colclough, WYG
Contract number: IEE/13/516/SI2.675164
Project duration: 02/2014- 01/2017
Introduction
What is the Traffic Snake Game (TSG)?
• Started as a small project in Flanders
• Environmentally friendly, healthy and safe travel to
school
• Europe wide campaign played in 19 countries
• Managed by three core partners
Presentation structure
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Background: evidence and benefits
Methodology
Results
Discussion and conclusions
Background – Active travel and health evidence
UK and World Health Organisation physical activity
levels recommended for children 5 to 18 years old:
• 60 minutes of moderate activity per day
• 3 times a week vigorous activity
Percentage of children meeting the target is decreasing
in Europe and the UK – related to physical
environment, socioeconomic status…
Background – Active travel and health benefits
• Active travel to school influences overall levels of
physical activity
• Healthier body composition and cardiorespiratory
fitness
• Some links with sedentary behaviour and weight
status
Background – Environmental impacts evidence
• 59% increase in emissions from school travel
between 1990 and 2006
• 1.17 tonnes of CO2 equivalent from school travel in
2010
• High exposure of children to emissions causes poor
metabolic health, skeletal problems, and respiratory
problems
Background – Environmental benefits potential
• Trends are difficult to reverse and are also related to
school selection procedures
• Biggest potential for primary schools, schools with
very low sustainable travel levels, and schools in
urban areas
Background – Independent mobility evidence
• Children’s independent (unsupervised) mobility fell
from 70% to only 9% between 1970 and 1990 in the
UK
• Similar declines seen in other European countries
Background – Independent mobility benefits
• Independent mobility decreases the risks of children
becoming overweight
• Psychological benefits
• Improved social interactions with friends and
neighbours
Background – Gamification evidence and benefits
Gamification is the use of rewards and incentives to
achieve desired behaviours in every day life by making
these behaviours fun.
• Potential to increase physical activity
• Incorporation of elements of gamification in actions
should take into account issues of equity
Background – Road safety evidence and benefits
• Congestion is a serious issue during drop off and pick
up times around schools
• No consistent evidence on accident numbers
• Significant benefits from congestion reduction and
road safety education for pupils, parents, and
teachers
Methodology – Study design
• Traffic Snake Game Network: Created to replicate and
transfer the TSG
• The project builds upon previous experience with
European projects (CONNECT, PRESTO, BAMBINI)
• Played in 19 countries
• Initial targets: 60 schools per country
15% shift from car to cleaner modes
15% CO2 emissions reduction
Methodology – Playing the TSG
• 1 banner, class, and mode stickers
• 2 game weeks
• 1 pre-measurement and 1 post-measurement
Methodology – Parallel activities
Teachers are encouraged to set up a ‘deluxe’ version.
Activities include:
• Car free days
• Cycle training
• Road safety training around school
Recruitment
Schools
• National events
• Workshops
• Collaboration with local authorities
Children and parents
• Information letters
• Training
Website
• EU website
• Bespoke websites for
each country
• Dashboard
Website
• Digi-board
Website
• Results
Data collection
• 12 days: 1 before, 10 campaign days, 1 after
• Data entered via online Dashboard or paper forms
• TSG 2.0: Data entered directly online by the pupils
using a smartboard
Monitoring, analysis and evaluation
Monitoring
• Bi-annual tracker (game and other activities)
• National Action Plans
Analysis
• Cleansing website data (data typing, test schools)
Evaluation
• Modal shift (after the campaign and retention)
• Car kilometres and associated emissions*
*final emissions offset savings not identifiable
Results (until January 2016)
• No campaigns organised between February and July
2014
• Data collection issues – 79% of schools provided at least
11 of the 12 measurements
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546 schools
576 campaigns
Over 82,000 pupils
17% increase in sustainable trips
16% increase after 2 weeks (high levels of retention)
Conclusions (1)
Successful NFPs
• Romania
• Bulgaria
• Greece
• Few existing/historic mobility campaigns
• Snowball effect
Conclusions (2)
Less successful NFPs
• UK
• Netherlands
• Germany
• Multiple mobility campaigns available
• Focus on one campaign per year
Conclusions (3)
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Upper vs lower tier local authorities
Data collection: basic methods, manual entry
Teachers’ focus on short term benefits
Limited use of TSG as a monitoring tool
Thank you!