Manchester parents are now able to track their child’s ‘walking bus’ journey to school through a smartphone app developed by the Universities of Salford and Lancaster.
These walking buses were set up to encourage exercise, reduce road congestion, increase road safety and cater for concerned parents unable to walk their children to school.
The app was piloted at Sunny Bank Primary School in Bury and has proved to be hugely successful with parents.
Michael Green, head teacher of Sunny Bank Primary School in Bury, said: “The parents and walking school bus coordinators who piloted the app gave very positive feedback.
“There is also the added value of the children’s ‘hands on’ learning about time, distance and speed of travel.”
Dr Sarah Norgate, Senior Lecturer in Psychology at the University of Salford, said: “Walking school buses are important because they help children to exercise, develop independence and socialise; and they also save unnecessary car journeys.
“Now that the app has been successfully piloted we hope to develop it further and make it available to schools across the Greater Manchester area.”
Steve Glazebrook, Smarter Choices Officer at Transport for Greater Manchester, had an influential role in the initial market research phase.
He said: “This innovation has the potential to increase family motivation for alternatives to the car on the school run, improve child fitness levels and encourage parents’ peace of mind about their child arriving at the school gates both safely and punctually.”
The University of Salford and Lancaster University are part of the wider Sixth Sense Transport project which aims to develop more apps that will encourage more sustainable travel options.
For more information about the app, contact Dr Sarah Norgate at [email protected]
Picture courtesy of chrissatchwell via Flickr, with thanks
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