Kiddie Valet

Kiddie Valet is an initiative created by 4 young Sydneysiders concerned with the dangerous conditions around schools and in school zones. The aim of Kiddie Valet is to promote awareness and safety through social media and advocacy.

[kiddievalet2013]

Watch our new campaign video, don't forget to share it!

[kiddievalet2013]

[lijason1988]

Kiddie Valet: School Drop Off Actions

[kiddievalet2013]

1. Traffic Infringement

Traffic infringements around school zones ranges from $143 to $1987, from 2 demerit points to 7. From a simple parking at the wrong places, to doing 85+km/h has all been broken in the past few years.

Information on the road safety around schools and the consequences of breaking them is all available on RTA’s website. However if you don’t look for it, you’ll probably never know.

RTA has roll out things in the past years to address and let people aware of safety around schools, including but not limited to speed cameras, “flashing light” signs, “dragons teeth” and “drop off and pick up zones”. However the number of infringements remains steadily high.

2. Parking Availability

Parking is always an issue, people always concerned about the amount of spaces available around schools. However, there are more issues like congestion, safety and walk-ability.

RTA notes that the parking restrictions are designed for children’s safety, to maintain safe line of vision and to help the traffic flow to have more cars drop off kids.

3. School campaigns

Examples of many campaigns often fundraisers that runs in schools are 4 hour famine, red nose day, Jeans for genes day, world greatest shave. These campaigns not only support and run in schools, they can be run by parents or even student themselves, giving participation of the community.

they usually are annual events, or only run limited times per year, maximizing the effectiveness of each run.

These campaigns uses small symbolic items/objects to raise awareness, i.e. Jeans in jeans for genes day. Usually these items are already available or easily obtainable to the kids. making these event simple to roll out nationally.

There are also events run in schools that directly impacts the community, i.e. clean up Australia day. Where kids, parents and teachers are involved in improving communities.

Sources:

http://roadsafety.transport.nsw.gov.au/downloads/2010_08_schoolsafety_factsheets.pdf

http://roadsafety.transport.nsw.gov.au/downloads/road_safety_school_practical-guide.pdf

http://roadsafety.transport.nsw.gov.au/downloads/roadsafetyissuesaroundschool_webfactsheet_v2.pdf

http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/b2b/releases/130712-school-zones.pdf

http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/b2b/releases/121004-school-zones.pdf

http://roadsafety.transport.nsw.gov.au/stayingsafe/schools/dragons_teeth.html

http://roadsafety.transport.nsw.gov.au/stayingsafe/schools/dropoff_pickup.html

http://roadsafety.transport.nsw.gov.au/downloads/dropoffpickup/dropoffpickup_safetytips.pdf

http://www.mynrma.com.au/media/NRMA_submission_NSW_Audit_Office_School_Zones.pdf

http://www.osr.nsw.gov.au/about/corporate/statistics/

http://www.muswellbrook.nsw.gov.au/index.php/msc-regulatory-services/parking-safety-around-schools

http://www.lcps.nsw.edu.au/about/a-z_of_lcps.htm

http://www.chatswoodps.nsw.edu.au/newsletters—notes.html

http://www.waverley.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/37705/Road_Safety_Around_Schools_brochure.pdf

http://www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au/Jobs+%26+Careers/Volunteering+%26+work+experience/Volunteer+for+an+annual+event/#.Ug9LRJK6_To

http://www.rednoseday.com.au/

http://www.jeansforgenes.org.au/

https://famine.worldvision.com.au/Famine/Home

[kaydubwilson]

Kiddie Valet - School drop off actions

[kiddievalet2013]

Action 1 - Police Enforcement

The increased presence of the ever so reliable NSW Police force is being noticed by not only parents of children, but the staff of the schools.  Under this latest crack down by the Police, the number of infringement notices in school zones had dropped as much as 20% in some cases, as stated by the State Debt Recovery Office (SDRO).

Alternatively, parents are now leaving their money to be snatched up by the cash strapped Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) in the form of fixed speed cameras.  Infringement notices from these cameras are down, but 8,000 in NSW alone is nothing to be smiling about.

The visibile combination of both the NSW Police and RMS are having a somewhat minimal effect on the school zone areas, with 6 out of the top 10 grossing speed cameras in NSW all located in school zones.  

It is obvious people are aware of the school zones, but somehow they feel the endangering the younger, nubile generation is worth the $300 ticket and minimum of 4 demerit points.

Action 2 - Accessibility to Public Transport

Transport NSW introduced their latest effort to encourage school children to catch public transport to and from school in a bid to ease the tension on the already clogged Sydney road network. 

The School Student Transport Scheme (SSTS), ever so appropriately named allows ELIGABLE school student FREE access to public transport to and from school everyday.  This latest effort has increased the numbers of school children using public transport, but the figures still show that more then 40% still ride with mummy in the morning.

To provide further assistance to the SSTS, Transport NSW have given school guidelines for safe walking routes through and around the major arterial roads of Sydney, providing some comfort for parents.  The school also provides useful safety and transport information for the students.

Action 3 - Covert Parking Operation


Snagging a park near a Sydney school after 8am is nothing short of miracle, as described by some local parents.  This common issue is being tackled by schools and the State Government in the form of upgrades to infrastructure and budgets.

Local’s schools are now in the process of disabled Access upgrades, which will mostly coincide with upgrades the parking agenda as well, as stated by the Dept. of Education and Communities (DoEC).  

However, parents are still being advised by their respective schools to avoid using school parking, leading to a stem of parking infringements as stated by Julie Organ, deputy principle of Willoughby Public.  Organ further stated that during presence of Police in the school zone area parents almost immediately began obeying the rules.

The overriding issue with the parking situation around Sydney’s schools is the safety of the children.  The Pedestrian Council of Australia (PCA) is lobbying to introduce a ‘zero tolerance’ to ANY illegal parking in school zones, implementing a covert parking enforcement program funded by the State Government.  Harold Scruby of the PCA declares parents should have the book thrown at them, especially because of the hypocritical nature of the crime.

References: PCA - www.walk.com.au

SDRO - www.sdro.nsw.gov.au

RMS - www.rms.nsw.gov.au

DoEC - www.det.nsw.edu.au

[hallaways]

Kiddie Valet: School Drop Off Actions

[kiddievalet2013]

ACTION 1: SCHOOL CROSSING SUPERVISOR

School crossing supervisors or ‘lollipop ladies’ as they were formally known as, have been helping children get to school safely for years. It is a program run in NSW by NSW Transport and is a state wide program that is part of the Safety Around School program which has been implemented nation wide.

School crossing supervisors are provided to help increase the mobility of pedestrians and vehicles around schools and this is achieved by enhancing the performance of pedestrian traffic facilities like pedestrian crossings.

Before a school crossing supervisor is hired to monitor a crossing there are a few key aspects about the crossing that the NSW Transport investigates. These are:

- the crossing must be used by infant or primary school children.

- it must be located within a school zone.

- 50 children / hour must use the crossing and 300 cars / hour must go past the crossing during peak times of morning and afternoon.

- it is a safe working environment for the supervisor.

Unfortunately in the UK they are seeing the demise of the ‘lollipop lady’ or school crossing supervisors due to the low income and minimum hours of work a day and these hours being spread out over the entire day. 

Action 2: Kiss and Drop Off Scheme

The Kiss and Drop Off has been brought in around school areas to help with congestion and to stop parents parking in front of the school for long periods of time. This short term parking allows parents to drop their kids off infront of school gates and leave shortly after. 

A local mum, Trish Alexander, who’s children attend a local Central Coast school said that the school had brought in this system due to huge congestions problems being caused in the morning and afternoon and said that it has helped immensly the drop off and pick up of her children and creates a much more safer environment.

Action 3: Health Implications with Drop Off Zones

Drop off zones are usually located too close to schools and usually lead to congestion and headaches for parents when they are trying to pick up and drop off their kids during peak hour times at schools. Professor Billie Giles- Corti believes that school drop off zones should be relocated and placed a few hundred metres away from schools which will ease congestion and which will also encourage students to become more active. Professor Billie Giles- Corti’s comment came after Britain’s new Public Health chief called for a ban on the school car run as a way to tackle the nations obesity crisis with children.  Proffesor Giles- Corti believes if Australian schools relocate their drop off zones it’ll create a more ‘walkable’ environment around schools.

The main reason parents don’t want their children walking to school is because they are worried about the traffic around schools. This action should calm the nerves of worried parents and encourage kids to walk to school or be dropped and walk a short distance to school in a safe environment.

Sources

1.www.roadsafety.transport.nsw.gov.au/stayingsafe/schools/schoolcrossingsupervisorprogram.html

2. www.carmagazine.co.uk

3.health.thewest.com.au/parentsurgedtorethinkschooldropoffs

4. http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/school-kiss-and-drop-call/story-e6frfkp9-1225893374263#ixzz2btgKF2QB

[kiddievalet2013]

Kiddie Valet - School drop off ACTIONS

Action 1 - Kiss and Drop Off

The Kiss and Drop Off program is a simple action that allows for a safe area at the front of a school to be reserved for short term parking to allow children to be dropped at the gates. The idea being that you pull up, kiss the child goodbye as they get out of the car, and then drive off.

Proponents of the program say it reduces congestion, prevents parents from committing traffic and parking offences in school zones, and provides a safe way for children to be dropped near the school.

Problems arise when there is insufficient car spaces, which results in queuing of traffic. This is exasperated by parents who do not obey the 2 minute time limit. 

A Croydon Public School spokesperson said “That’s our problem: people use it like a car park. It’s extremely hard to police.”

Action 2 - Walking Bus

The Walking Bus is an initiative that has been utilised in many areas worldwide. It is the formation of a group of volunteers who walk a set route to school picking up children along the way. This organised pickup allows parents to avoid the school zone altogether in a car and also provides a healthy dose of daily exercise for children.

The initiative ideally works within 1.5km or 30 minute easy walking distance from the school.

Having groups of children walking to school is a great way of instilling this physical activity mindset from an early age. The reliance on the car is widespread and any initiative that challenges that reliance will spark debate.

Action 3 - 40km/h School Zones

The NSW Government’s 40km/h school zone speed limits are marked by signage that promotes it’s use during peak hours. From 8am - 9.30am and 2.30pm - 4pm speed limits drop to 40km/h from 50km/h in suburban areas, and to 40km/h from as high as 100km/h in rural areas. Flashing indicator lights are present at many school zones, with the government aiming to have all zones with flashing lights by December 2015. In addition, many school zones are also fitted with speed cameras which catch speeding drivers. 

According to NSW Transport “Speeding and other driving offences committed in school zones attract heavier penalties, with speeding fines starting at $173 and 2 demerit points.”

Opponents to the rigid 40km/h school zone speeds claim the drivers attention is focused on the speedometer not the road and also question what difference the limits have made to incidents around schools.

This action does play a part in raising the public’s awareness of the safety issue around schools. However it is often not adhered to by motorists who either are unaware of the speed limit change or choose to ignore it.

  References:

http://www.ryde.nsw.gov.au/Community/Community+Safety/Safety+for+Kids/School+Zone+Safety

http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/school-kiss-and-drop-call/story-e6frfkp9-1225893374263#ixzz2btgKF2QB

http://www.walkingbus.com.au

http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/school-zones-back-force-after-school-holidays

http://www.news.com.au/national-news/report-calls-for-24-7-school-zone-fines/story-e6frfkvr-1226309359465

http://www.mynrma.com.au/media/NRMA_submission_NSW_Audit_Office_School_Zones.pdf

[kiddievalet2013]

Kiddie Valet - Action Proposal

Strategic Overview

Traffic and congestion around schools are not just frustrating, but dangerous for the kids going and leaving school. Many campaigns and solutions has been put forward, but things are still not improving.

Using the idea of 'The Walking Bus', we will start by relocating out the drop off zones, reducing the number of cars, therefore reducing congestion and hazards around schools. In the process we will be raising awareness and promoting safety directly to the kids, parents, teachers and the commuters. Similar to many successful campaigns in school, i.e. Jeans for Genes day, Red Nose day and 40 hour famine, a simple message even kids themselves can promote/organise and be involved.

The campaign will add-on actions from the community and parent, existing and new kids safety educational programs and hands-on activities involving kids and parent

First, the campaign will be rolled out at St Christopher's Catholic Primary School in Panania NSW, then potentially expand to other schools around Panania, Sydney, NSW, and even nationally.

We will be working directly with the school/s, parents and community to run this campaign together. We will need them to believe in the campaign to create long lasting impact.

Author: Jason Li

  Site Proposal

St Christopher’s Panania is a school in Sydney’s suburban south west. Like many schools in Sydney, twice a day it is becomes a chaotic scene over run with cars and congestion all attempting to drop children as close to the gates as possible.

Parking in this area is sparse, which results in many parents illegally parking or stopping in order to drop off or pick up their children. Along with the impact this has on surrounding traffic, it also creates an unsafe place for children to be.

As a suburb with a village atmosphere, Panania is ideally situated to utilise some of its existing infrastructure to try to ease this safety and congestion issue. The Panania Public Library is located a short walk from the school and has a carpark that is largely unused during these peak times.

This site is significant in its ability to represent a common problem around Sydney schools. It has the ability to be a test case for implementing these ideas on a broader scale.

Author: Dan Asher

Action Design

We are directing drop off and pick up traffic during peak hour school times at St. Christophers in Panania away from the school gates and making use of an unused library carpark a short distance from the school gates. At this designated drop off point there will be volunteers who will assist the children to the school gates safely creating less congestion around the school and a safer environment.

Photo Montage of the Action 

Proposed Drop off Route

Author: Luke Hallaways

Stakeholder Map

Author: Kelly Wilson

[kiddievalet2013]