Travel to school and urban structure in medium and small sized cities: A case study of Castelo Branco

Abstract

Journeys from home to school represent a significant portion of all urban commuting. A high number of citizens are involved. Not only students but parents, relatives, friends and individuals make up this group. These journeys have a relevant impact on urban environments because they correspond to the time (Peak Hour) and the spatial needs of other kinds of journeys that apply to other types of families and activities. The aim of this paper is to relate the urban zone with modal split of four schools in a medium sized Portuguese city, in aggregate form by school and by grades. These schools include children and adolescents from the 1st grade until 9th grade in a group age of 6-10 (1st - 4th grade), 10-11 (5th-6th grade) and 12-14 years old (7th - 9th grade). The differences between mobility patterns in journeys to/from school by school and by grade are evident. Walking is the main travel to school mode choice in three schools and driving in one school. Driving is the main travel to school mode choice for the students from the 1st to 6th grades and walking for the students from 7th to 9th grades. According to the results, the urban zone influences the mobility patterns in journeys to/from school, however for small and medium sized city that influence does not appear to be so evident. © 2011 WIT Press.