Impacts of a community-wide infrastructural intervention on children's active school travel: A controlled before-after study

Background

Active school travel (AST) is beneficial for children's physical, social, and mental well-being. However, AST is low globally, and Aotearoa New Zealand has one of the lowest rates of AST worldwide. Te Ara Mua – Future Streets (TAMFS) was a randomised controlled before-after study of neighbourhood-wide infrastructural changes to make it easier for residents to get around actively. The intervention was conducted in Ngā Hau Māngere, in Aotearoa New Zealand. This study examines the impact of TAMFS on children's AST over time.

Methods

Data for the current study were gathered from resident surveys, conducted at baseline (2014), early follow-up (2017), and long-term follow-ups (2021, 2023). The primary outcome for this study was the proportion of children using AST, analysed using mixed model logistic regression and difference-in-differences (DID) analysis. Coding of open-ended responses to the main reason for children's travel mode to school was also undertaken.

Results

AST rates declined in both intervention and control areas over time, with a significant drop in the intervention area immediately post-intervention (2017). By 2023, the difference between areas was minimal. Living close to school was the main reason for getting to school actively, while a mix of distance (longer), convenience, and safety concerns were key decisionmakers for parents of passive travellers.

Conclusion

While environmental changes are important, future interventions would benefit from considering broader contextual factors and integrating community engagement and programming to address barriers to AST and support shifts to active transport modes.