OptiWaSP: Optimised Walking Schoolbus Planning
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Leeds
Department Name: Institute for Transport Studies
Abstract
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Publications
| Description | As the benefits of active travel to school are well known, car travel to school has been increasing due to social, personal, and environmental constraints. The Optimised Walking Schoolbus Planning Project (OptiWaSP) aimed to promote active travel through the introduction of a walking school bus, with the broader goal of ensuring children's safety while reducing emissions and protecting the environment. To achieve this, the University of Leeds research team adopted a multi-layered and interconnected approach. The bottom layer of investigation focused on shifting school travel behaviour from car-based travel to active modes such as walking or WSB. Initial findings from the pilot study identified several key determinants influencing parents' mode choice if a WSB were introduced, including safety, walking distance, parental attitudes, habits, and personal obligations. One of the most significant successes was the active engagement of schools, community organisations, and parents throughout the data collection process. This local level collaboration allowed for a deeper exploration of the challenges associated with breaking the vicious cycle of car dependency among parents. Furthermore, the statistical analysis and development of a mode choice model not only examined the current situation but also projected future scenarios, assuming the availability of shared mobility options such as WSB. The final developed choice model will facilitate demand forecasting for different transport modes under various policy interventions, such as increasing car travel costs through congestion charges or adjusting route lengths to favour walking over driving. The second layer of investigation explored the joint impact assessment of parents' mode choice and traffic control measures on emissions and children's exposure to air pollutants. The findings underscored that school travel mode choices and local context (e.g., school location, traffic condition, control measures) significantly affect children's inhaled dose of pollutants. Case studies using microscopic traffic simulations revealed that the effectiveness of traffic control measures varies depending on the number of school-related car trips, ultimately influencing children's exposure. Furthermore, the study highlighted the sensitivity of optimal traffic control measures based on the traffic model used by analysts when designing policies. |
| Exploitation Route | The results of these investigations have been shared with stakeholders (such as the city council) to emphasise the need for integrating WSB promotion with traffic control strategies to enhance the program's success as a viable shared mobility option for children. Moreover, based on the investigation results, the topic has garnered increasing attention from academic audiences across various disciplines. Researchers in electrical engineering are now exploring the development of advanced applications, while transport engineers suggest further investigating strategies to reduce car dependency-not only for school travel but also for broader transportation use. These findings have enabled the project to achieve two-thirds of its objectives. The remaining objective-reducing local car traffic within school neighbourhoods and WSB catchment areas by implementing measures to limit through-traffic-is expected to be achieved within the project's remaining timeframe. |
| Sectors | Education Environment Transport |
| Description | The results of these investigations have been shared with stakeholders (such as the city council) to emphasise the need for integrating WSB promotion with traffic control strategies to enhance the program's success as a viable shared mobility option for children. Moreover, based on the investigation results, the topic has garnered increasing attention from academic audiences across various disciplines. Researchers in electrical engineering are now exploring the development of advanced applications, while transport engineers suggest further investigating strategies to reduce car dependency-not only for school travel but also for broader transportation use. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2024 |
| Sector | Transport |
| Impact Types | Societal Policy & public services |
| Description | Seminar on Transportation Planning In Urban Air Quality Management |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
| Impact | As a result of this initiative, four MSc students have undertaken their master's dissertations in this field, contributing valuable research findings to the discipline. |
| Description | Scheme: Civil Engineering Research Development Fund Seed funding 2024. Grant: Developing a prototype for a smart mobility app for OptiWaSP Optimised Walking Schoolbus Planning (PI: Dr Judith Wang) |
| Amount | £2,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | University of Leeds |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2024 |
| End | 07/2024 |
| Description | Scheme: Support Program for International Joint Research Activities. Grant: Self-organisation theory for leveraging benefits of connected and shared transport systems (PI: Prof Takamasa Iryo) |
| Amount | ï¿¥4,550,000 (JPY) |
| Organisation | Kajima Corporation |
| Sector | Private |
| Country | Japan |
| Start | 03/2024 |
| End | 03/2025 |
| Title | Questionnaire and stated preference survey of parents regarding their child's travel to school |
| Description | This survey tool is designed to understand the factors that influence parents' choices in how their primary school child travels to school, and to elicit their choices in hypothetical future scenarios when new options may be available (and especially a walking school bus). The study will be conducted at different primary school locations in the Bradford district, UK. Participants will be recruited in collaboration with both school authorities and the Born in Bradford organization, who have agreed to assist us. At present the survey design is undergoing ethical review. The survey tool is not yet published/available to others, but we can openly make the tool available following its use in the project (even though the data will be of course sensitive and confidential). |
| Type Of Material | Model of mechanisms or symptoms - human |
| Year Produced | 2024 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | The main immediate impact will be on the research team being able to understand parents in their habits, constraints and potential future possibilities for how their child travels to school. It will also have impact within the "School Streets" initiative (http://schoolstreets.org.uk/) being currently promoted throughout the UK, especially through our project collaborators Living Streets who are one of the major proponents of this scheme. |
| Title | OptiWaSP survey data |
| Description | Data has been collected using a two stage survey. In the first stage of the survey, participants provided information about their current school travel plan, including details such as mode of transportation (car, walking, cycling, bus, ride-hailing, ride sharing), frequency of use, travel time, cost, satisfaction, difficulties encountered, and socio-demographic profiles of the parents. The sociodemographic information will include age (below 18, 18-24, 25-34, 35-44, , 65-74, 75 or over), number of under-aged children (below 15) at the household, gender (male/female), level of education (primary, GCSE, A-level, Bachelor, Masters, PhD), ethnicity (White, Asian, mixed, others), having driving license (yes/No), number of car at the household, household size, employment status (working full-time, working part-time, unemployed, others). The second stage of the survey focused on a hypothetical scenario and assess parental perceptions of a walking school bus. Three alternatives were included in the SP scenario: car, walking, and walking school bus. Alternative-specific attributes will be carefully chosen to explore the trade-offs between travel time, cost, and environmental concerns from the parents' perspective. To delve into parental perceptions and intentions, general statements were incorporated to uncover latent motivations, intentions, subjective norms, and behavioural control related to including a walking school bus in their child's school travel plan. Additionally, statements regarding habits and attitudes were also included to understand the inertial effects of parents' attitudes and habits in selecting their child's school travel plan. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2025 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | The collected data will be used to test the conceptual framework of the research prepared based on the existing behavioural models (e.g., theory of planned behaviour, theory of triadic influence). To do so, hybrid choice models will be developed integrating traditional choice model and structural equation model. The hybrid choice model aims to offer a comprehensive understanding of behaviour by explicitly incorporating the influence of latent constructs, such as attitudes and perceptions, into the decision-making process. |
| Description | Cloud-based Smart App for Walking School Buses |
| Organisation | University of Leeds |
| Department | School of Electronic and Electrical Engineering Leeds |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The research team contributed by conceptualising the WSB app, defining its required components based on findings from previous research conducted with parents and key stakeholders, including the council and schools. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The collaborated team is currently working on implementing the research team's concept into a prototype cloud-based app. The app development was completely a novel idea which was not part of original research project. The developed app will feature real-time updates for parents, walking school bus drivers, conductors, and relevant governing authorities, such as schools. |
| Impact | A key outcome of this collaboration is the ongoing development of a cloud-based app. The app's features and technical details were presented at the 28th International Hong Kong Society for Transport Studies Conference. However, to maintain the originality of the work until the app is finalised, the research team chose not to publish it in the conference proceedings. |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | Cloud-based Smart App for Walking School Buses |
| Organisation | University of Manchester |
| Department | Manchester Business School |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The research team contributed by conceptualising the WSB app, defining its required components based on findings from previous research conducted with parents and key stakeholders, including the council and schools. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The collaborated team is currently working on implementing the research team's concept into a prototype cloud-based app. The app development was completely a novel idea which was not part of original research project. The developed app will feature real-time updates for parents, walking school bus drivers, conductors, and relevant governing authorities, such as schools. |
| Impact | A key outcome of this collaboration is the ongoing development of a cloud-based app. The app's features and technical details were presented at the 28th International Hong Kong Society for Transport Studies Conference. However, to maintain the originality of the work until the app is finalised, the research team chose not to publish it in the conference proceedings. |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | Participation in Spatial Modelling and Dynamics one day Seminar |
| Organisation | University of Leeds |
| Department | Institute of Transport Studies |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Presented the investigation results on influence of traffic model selection on optimal control of traffic for emissions minimisation. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The participants, who are leading researchers in the field of emission modelling, provided valuable feedback on the research methodology, results, and policy implications of the investigation. Their insights have helped refine the study's approach and strengthen its relevance for both academic and policy applications. |
| Impact | The revised work has been developed into a journal article, which has been submitted for publication and is currently under review. Zannat, K. E., Wang, J. Y., & Watling, D. P. Influence of model selection on optimal control of traffic for emissions minimisation, submitted to the Focus Issue on Urban Mobility and Green Transportation in Sustainable Cities in Journal of Physics: Complexity. |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Workshop on assembling the practical cases related to the 'connected and shared transport systems' in the world |
| Organisation | Tohoku University |
| Country | Japan |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Presented the aim and motivation of the OptiWaSP project, emphasising the multidisciplinary research required to address shared transport solutions like the Walking School Bus. An example was drawn from the collaboration with electrical engineers in developing the app. The presentation showcased how the Walking School Bus could become the future of connected and shared transport for school travel. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Academics from different nationalities, including Japan, the UK, and Luxembourg, contributed feedback on how to enhance the ongoing research. Their insights focused on making the work applicable to cities beyond the UK. |
| Impact | Input from leading experts in shared transport systems has been incorporated into the development of the cloud-based app. |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | Workshop on assembling the practical cases related to the 'connected and shared transport systems' in the world |
| Organisation | University of Luxembourg |
| Country | Luxembourg |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Presented the aim and motivation of the OptiWaSP project, emphasising the multidisciplinary research required to address shared transport solutions like the Walking School Bus. An example was drawn from the collaboration with electrical engineers in developing the app. The presentation showcased how the Walking School Bus could become the future of connected and shared transport for school travel. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Academics from different nationalities, including Japan, the UK, and Luxembourg, contributed feedback on how to enhance the ongoing research. Their insights focused on making the work applicable to cities beyond the UK. |
| Impact | Input from leading experts in shared transport systems has been incorporated into the development of the cloud-based app. |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | Engagement with Born in Bradford |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The engagement with Born in Bradford (BiB) aimed to discuss the OptiWaSP project initiatives and outline the planned formal engagement with primary schools, seeking insights from their experience with similar school-based activities. This dialogue enabled the research team to shortlist schools for project-related activities, including traffic modeling and questionnaire surveys. Additionally, the project team updated their school database by incorporating new attributes obtained from BiB, such as schools that have implemented active travel initiatives or awareness programs like School Streets, ATHLETE, and NiB Breathes. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Engagement with Bradford City Council |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | An engagement activity was conducted with Bradford City Council to present the project's ongoing initiatives, progress, and discuss the necessary data and networking support for their effective and efficient continuation. Following an online meeting with the council's Active Travel Group, the research team established connections with the Transport Planning Team, resulting in access to the SATURN network and the Origin-Destination (O-D) matrix developed by the council's transport planning division. Additionally, the meeting facilitated introductions to various non-governmental and charitable organisations supporting school-going children and parents in Bradford, including Born in Bradford, BEAP Community, Eden Community Organisation, ISSE, and the Nigerian Community in Bradford (NCAB). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Engagement with community organisation |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Supporters |
| Results and Impact | Following discussions with Bradford City Council, the research team engaged with various community organisations, including BEAP Community Partnership, NCAB, and ISSE, which work directly with parents living in Bradford. These discussions helped generate interest in the project and provided insights into how project activities could be effectively administered with parental involvement. As a result of the talk, the research team gained formal support for the OptiWaSP project from these community organisations. The community organisations assisted by sharing the project poster and questionnaire link through their WhatsApp and closed Facebook groups. Increased parental participation in the questionnaire further facilitated outreach to additional schools that were not initially included in the screening process after discussions with the Born in Bradford organisation. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Presentation and research visit at Department of Mathematics, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Lisbon |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Delivered a joint seminar titled, 'Considerations of Sustainability in Transportation - A Case for Multi-objective Optimisation: Part I - Walking and Cycling & Part II - Traffic Assignment & Congestion Pricing'. Partnerships to look for further research grant proposal submission opportunities to adapt the use of Cloud-based Smart App targeting elderly for healthy ageing, e.g. in Lisbon. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | School visit |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Visits to several primary schools in Bradford (Brackenhill, Poplars Farm, St. Cuthbert, and The First Martyrs' Catholic Primary School) provided a formal channel to engage with the target audience-parents of primary school children, who are the potential users of the Walking School Bus (WSB). Discussions with school authorities resulted in their agreement (confirmed via email) to disseminate the project poster and questionnaire to parents through official school channels. The distribution of the poster helped raise awareness about school travel plans and the concept of the Walking School Bus. It also encouraged parents to voluntarily participate in the questionnaire survey. Responses from both online and paper-based questionnaires highlighted parents' interest in improving their child's school travel plan and contributing to the project. To date, 105 parents have participated in the online questionnaire. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |