Implementing a novel signage-only School Streets approach: Facilitators, barriers, and perceived outcomes

Background

School Streets is a time-specific traffic restriction scheme aimed to reduce traffic around schools during pick up and drop off times. This is believed to benefit school children by reducing surrounding air pollution, improving child safety, and encouraging active travel. Newcastle City Council implemented a novel signage-only School Streets at four primary schools in Newcastle.

Methods

Interviews (n = 46) and focus groups (n = 7 groups with a total of 48 participants) were conducted with stakeholders, school leaders, parents, pupils, and residents to understand the facilitators and barriers of the implementation of School Streets and the perceived effectiveness of this scheme. The interview guide and analysis were informed by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research.

Results

Most facilitator themes related to the simplicity of the signage-only design and the existing work structures. The barriers centred around infrequent communication within the inner setting (local authority, delivery partner and school leadership) and sustaining the level of engagement. The recipients of the scheme were in favour of the messaging behind School Streets but did not perceive changes in traffic or travel behaviour in the area, potentially related to the lack of enforcement. Minimal changes to travel behaviour may be due to external factors such as distance lived from school or physical infrastructure.

Conclusion

While the signage-only approach to School Streets reduced the implementation cost and infrastructure changes required, it required a high level of engagement and communication. Recipients desired more enforcement to increase and maintain compliance of the scheme long-term.