School Travel Planning in Durham Region

From 2018 to 2022, Green Communities Canada delivered School Travel Planning (STP) services in the Regional Municipality of Durham, providing direct support to over 20 schools. Through traffic assessments, community engagement, and action planning, this work advanced the goals of the Durham Region Active and Sustainable School Travel (ASST) Committee: to increase active transportation, boost school bus ridership, and reduce traffic congestion and safety risks along routes to school.

Key Outcomes

Our School Travel Planning programs in Durham Region delivered measurable results by:

• Conducting school walkabouts and site audits to assess safety and infrastructure needs
• Collecting Student Travel Surveys and Family Surveys to inform planning
• Delivering school resources and supporting student-led activities
• Hosting school-wide engagement events to raise awareness and build momentum
• Facilitating improvements to pedestrian infrastructure in partnership with local authorities
• Developing tailored Action Plans for each school

These collaborative efforts led to safer school zones, more students choosing active transportation, and stronger community awareness around sustainable school travel.