Influence of social and built environment features on children walking to school: An observational study

- A large study of observational counts of walking to school was done in Toronto.
- Observed walking proportions to school were high at 67% with large variability (standard deviation = 14.0) between schools.
- Associations between walking and child population density, traffic light, and intersection density were confirmed.
- The presence of school crossing guards was associated with more walking.
- Crossing guards also reduced negative influences of road design on walking rates.

ObjectivesTo estimate the proportion of children living within walking distance who walk to school in Toronto, Canada and identify built and social environmental correlates of walking.MethodsObservational counts of school travel mode were done in 2011, at 118 elementary schools. Built environment data were obtained from municipal sources and school field audits and mapped onto school attendance boundaries. The influence of social and built environmental features on walking counts was analyzed using negative binomial regression.ResultsThe mean proportion observed walking was 67% (standard deviation = 14.0). Child population (incidence rate ratio (IRR) 1.36), pedestrian crossover (IRR 1.32), traffic light (IRR 1.19), and intersection densities (IRR 1.03), school crossing guard (IRR 1.14) and primary language other than English (IRR 1.20) were positively correlated with walking. Crossing guard presence reduced the influence of other features on walking.ConclusionsThis is the first large observational study examining school travel mode and the environment. Walking proportions were higher than those previously reported in Toronto, with large variability. Associations between population density and several roadway design features and walking were confirmed. School crossing guards may override the influence of roadway features on walking. Results have important implications for policies regarding walking promotion.