Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Thesis Format

Integrated Article

Degree

Master of Science

Program

Geography and Environment

Supervisor

Gilliland, Jason

Abstract

This thesis evaluates the influence of school environment, sociodemographic, and household characteristics on the likelihood that a child will use active school travel (AST). Situated within Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory, the research examines intrapersonal, interpersonal, environmental, and policy factors impacting AST. Data is sourced from various publicly available sources and a province-wide survey. Two studies were conducted to address the key research questions. The first study employs spatial analysis within a geographic information system (GIS) to quantify built environment attributes such as sidewalks, road length, greenness, and dwelling density. Statistical techniques reveal that student age, length of sidewalks, and outdoor temperature are significant drivers of AST. The second study focuses on trip distance and the total length of local roads around a school (within 1600m) as critical factors influencing AST. The findings from both studies suggest that certain school environment characteristics significantly impact AST, with trip distance emerging as the most important factor. These insights contribute to the understanding of how various factors at different levels influence active school travel and provide a basis for policy and intervention strategies to promote AST.

Summary for Lay Audience

This thesis investigates how built environment characteristics, sociodemographic, and household characteristics influence a student’s choice to engage in AST. Using an ecological model as a framework, this thesis looks at multiple levels of influence, including individual, household, school, and environmental factors.

The research utilized survey data and techniques within geographic information systems (GIS) to analyze factors impacting students’ transportation choices. A challenge of quantifying the built environment is the difference in measurements and variables across studies. This thesis improves upon prior research by using the same variables in each chapter to mitigate discrepancies in measurement. In Chapters 3 and 4, survey data combined with built environment features such as road lengths, sidewalks, and dwelling density. This approach tested statistical significance in factors associated with AST.

Key findings of Chapter 3 indicate older students are more likely to engage in AST. The study also identified the length of sidewalks within 1600m of the school was positively associated with AST. Additionally, outdoor temperature plays a significant role in AST, impacting both younger and older students. Survey data for this chapter was gleaned from BikeWalkRoll.org, which provides modal choice information of students based on a classroom.

Chapter 4 expanded the analysis in Chapter 3 by using the same built environment dataset, incorporating a provincial survey that provided new insights on sociodemographic and household characteristics. The analysis focused on students living 1600m or closer to their school. It revealed the distance from home to school is the most important factor influencing AST; the further a student lives from school the less likely they are to engage in AST.

This thesis emphasizes the importance of infrastructure such as sidewalks and road networks in promoting AST. Implications of this work can guide policy to improve the built environment and ensure students live within a walkable distance to school, increasing the likelihood of engaging in AST.

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