Built environment and active transportation to school in the west: latest evidence and research methods

Abstract

This literature review identifies, analyses, and discusses research methods and findings regarding environmental correlates of active transportation to school (ATS) in the Western world. It reviews 41 research articles studying 5-to-18-year-old school trip choices published since 2010 until 2020. The identified publications focus on two topics. First, the urban environment around the schools and the students’ homes, and the route between them. And second, personal and external factors affecting mode choice, that are related to the built environment. Main findings and academic gaps include: (1) a growing interest on the topic outside North America, especially in Europe; (2) a methodological shift on how to measure distances between homes and schools, and buffer areas around them, moving from straight line distances to those measured along the street network; (3) a lack of consensus about buffer sizes and threshold distances, which may depend on cultural factors; and (4) differences in methodologies: area definition and characteristics and route characteristics. Finally, there is an overview and discussion about the effect of individual and external factors on the use of active modes in children. Parents’ attitudes and perceptions of the built environment were found very relevant, so as their concerns about traffic safety. The influence and extent of school programs to promote ATS or traffic calming solutions require not only the participation of the centre of studies, but also the engagement of the families and the community. The conclusion includes suggestions for future academic research, like the need for interdisciplinary teams and the observation of walkability aspects of infrastructure.