Engineering Measures
It is the role of the School Travel Planning Working Group to formulate a package of measures to encourage sustainable travel. These measures may include the installation of pedestrian controlled crossings; improved school warning signs; installation of pedestrian guard railing; the creation of new pedestrian entrances; improvements to footpaths; the installation of parent waiting shelters or cycle parking facilities; improvements to road markings; or, traffic calming measures.
It is important to stress that engineering measures will only be considered where these will encourage a change to sustainable forms of travel (so called ‘modal shift’). They will not be funded if they only address another concern; for example, speeding traffic remote from the school. It must also be stressed that engineering measures in isolation will not achieve modal shift. The Working Group must also consider what initiatives can be developed to reinforce any engineering measures.
If engineering measures are identified by the Working Group, engineers from Durham County Council will investigate possible solutions and produce draft proposals for the School Travel Planning Working Group to consider. It is important that any measures are appropriate and comply with regulations. Engineering measures that are put into place must support the overall aims and objectives of an individual School Travel Plan.
If you would like to see some specific examples of how schools have benefited from engineering measures visit School Travel Planning Case Studies for further information.
