Spatial multicriteria decision analysis for Walking School Bus target development strategies

Around the world there has been a decline in mode share of walking to school. This is result many factors influencing choice decisions parents for their own journeys work and children's Walking School Bus (WSB) proved be an effective strategy that can innovation promote school combat ‘vicious circle’ chauffeuring children modal switch thus key enhancing sustainability our transportation system more importantly health next generation. paper proposes innovative decision analysis model identify areas targeting WSB development. By applying spatial multicriteria (SMCDA) existing aggregate data on both trip choices relevant zonal characteristics, proposed help planners policy makers where investments setting up/enhancing WSBs might most enabling shift. We apply SMCDA case study Bradford, UK. highlight zones/schools within area programmes realise full potential health, environmental social inclusion terms. Six zones Bradford have identified as with highest uptake schemes. These present characteristics are favourable conditions but less than ideal current shares. They large numbers aged children, lower level trips by car higher parents’ availability. Our SMDCA method target development highly transferable applied other cities UK or around world; providing genuine value apparatus supporting, informing systematising implementation potentially successful (in engagement usage terms)