Research Impact: This study sought to quantify the effects of adolescents’ school enrolment at the closest school, or not, on use of private motorised vehicle and adolescents’ moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) levels accumulated during the school commute period in Dunedin city (New Zealand). The analysis shows potential reductions in private motorised vehicles traffic and increases in adolescents’ MVPA during the school commute period associated with attending the closest school. While the impact on overall city traffic may appear relatively minor, the reduction in traffic congestion around schools is likely to be much higher. It also signifies the importance of conceptualising the trip to school in the context of household-wide travel practices.
Keall, M., Hopkins, D., Coppell, K., Sandretto, S., Bengoechea, E.G., Spence, J., Wilson, G., & Mandic, S. (2020). Implications of attending the closest school on adolescents’ physical activity and car travel in Dunedin, New Zealand. Journal of Transport & Health, 18, 100900. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jth.2020.100900
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