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Changing Primary School Children’s Engagement in Active School Travel Using Safe Routes to School Interventions: A Rapid Realist Review

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  • Thomas V. Vasey

    (Health Research Institute, University of Canberra, Building 23, 11 Kirinari St., Bruce, ACT 2617, Australia)

  • Suzanne J. Carroll

    (Health Research Institute, University of Canberra, Building 23, 11 Kirinari St., Bruce, ACT 2617, Australia)

  • Mark Daniel

    (Health Research Institute, University of Canberra, Building 23, 11 Kirinari St., Bruce, ACT 2617, Australia)

  • Margaret Cargo

    (Health Research Institute, University of Canberra, Building 23, 11 Kirinari St., Bruce, ACT 2617, Australia)

Abstract

Safe Routes to School (SR2S) interventions have been implemented in many economically developed countries to improve children’s engagement in Active School Travel (AST). Evaluations have highlighted inconsistencies in SR2S intervention outcomes, raising questions as to how, why, and under what contextual conditions these interventions work. This review used a Rapid Realist Review (RRR) methodology to build, test, and refine an overarching program theory that unpicks the contextual factors and underlying mechanisms influencing children’s engagement in AST. From the 45 included documents, 16 refined Context–Mechanism–Outcome Configurations (CMOCs) were developed and clustered into three partial program theories (i.e., implementor/implementation, child, and parent), with the associated mechanisms of: (1) School Reliance; (2) School Priority; (3) Fun; (4) Pride; (5) Perceived Safety; (6) Distrust; (7) Convenience; (8) Perceived Capabilities; and (9) Reassurance. The overarching program theory delineates the pathways between intervention implementation, children’s motivation, parental decision-making, and children’s engagement in AST. The findings suggest SR2S interventions can motivate children to engage in AST, but whether this motivation is translated into engagement is determined by parental decision-making. This review is novel for highlighting that many of the factors influencing parental decision-making are contextually driven and appear to be unaddressed by the current suite of SR2S intervention strategies. The review additionally highlights the complexity of parental perceptions of safety, with the traffic and the road environment shaping only part of this multidimensional mechanism. Practitioners and policymakers need to tailor SR2S interventions to local contexts to better influence parental decision-making for children’s engagement in AST.

Suggested Citation

  • Thomas V. Vasey & Suzanne J. Carroll & Mark Daniel & Margaret Cargo, 2022. "Changing Primary School Children’s Engagement in Active School Travel Using Safe Routes to School Interventions: A Rapid Realist Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(16), pages 1-29, August.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:16:p:9976-:d:886992
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Buckley, Aaron & Lowry, Michael B. & Brown, Helen & Barton, Benjamin, 2013. "Evaluating safe routes to school events that designate days for walking and bicycling," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 30(C), pages 294-300.
    2. Zuniga, Kelly Draper, 2012. "From barrier elimination to barrier negotiation: A qualitative study of parents' attitudes about active travel for elementary school trips," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 20(C), pages 75-81.
    3. Buttazzoni, Adrian N. & Coen, Stephanie E. & Gilliland, Jason A., 2018. "Supporting active school travel: A qualitative analysis of implementing a regional safe routes to school program," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 212(C), pages 181-190.
    4. Anna-Karin Lindqvist & Marie Löf & Anna Ek & Stina Rutberg, 2019. "Active School Transportation in Winter Conditions: Biking Together Is Warmer," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-14, January.
    5. Noreen C. McDonald & Ruth L. Steiner & Chanam Lee & Tori Rhoulac Smith & Xuemei Zhu & Yizhao Yang, 2014. "Impact of the Safe Routes to School Program on Walking and Bicycling," Journal of the American Planning Association, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 80(2), pages 153-167, April.
    6. Chaufan, C. & Yeh, J. & Fox, P., 2012. "The Safe Routes to School program in California: An update," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 102(6), pages 8-11.
    7. Fyhri, Aslak & Hjorthol, Randi & Mackett, Roger L. & Fotel, Trine Nordgaard & Kyttä, Marketta, 2011. "Children's active travel and independent mobility in four countries: Development, social contributing trends and measures," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 18(5), pages 703-710, September.
    8. McDonald, Noreen C. & Yang, Yizhao & Abbott, Steve M. & Bullock, Allison N., 2013. "Impact of the Safe Routes to School program on walking and biking: Eugene, Oregon study," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 29(C), pages 243-248.
    9. Eva Savolainen & Stina Rutberg & Ylva Backman & Anna-Karin Lindqvist, 2020. "Long-Term Perspectives of a School-Based Intervention to Promote Active School Transportation," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(14), pages 1-13, July.
    10. Nikitas, Alexandros & Wang, Judith Y.T. & Knamiller, Cathy, 2019. "Exploring parental perceptions about school travel and walking school buses: A thematic analysis approach," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 124(C), pages 468-487.
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