Summary of Findings

Evaluation of the Trailblazer’s trial indicates that engagement with the scheme has been positive; pupils generally enjoyed participating in the project and parents/carers were generally supportive of a continuation of the scheme. There has been some positive evidence that the scheme has been successful in its objectives to improve knowledge, understanding and awareness of road safety; and to encourage active travel to and from school, particularly from the pupil focus groups. However, results of the analysis were mixed, and did not clearly show that the scheme has met these objectives consistently across the schools.

Key aspects identified as enabling the success of the scheme were:

  • The importance of the prize aspect of the scheme in achieving pupil engagement.
  • The benefits of pupils being actively involved in the administration the scheme.
  • Enthusiasm and engagement from staff members.

Several potential concerns or limitations associated with the scheme highlighted during the evaluation included: 

  • Concerns with encouraging use of phones due to negative effects of screen use.
  • Risks associated with distractions from phones when walking to school.
  • Issues with fairness for pupils who:
    • Do not have a phone or walk to school with a parent/carer who has a phone.
    • Live too far from the school to walk (albeit park and stride could have been an option).
    • Are dropped off by working parents/carers who have no alternative but to drop off pupils on their way to work (albeit park and stride could have been an option).
  • Vandalism of the signs.
  • Potential security risks with QR codes.
  • In some cases it was suggested that the scheme has encouraged people to park and stride instead of using the bus with the perception noted that this could risk the future viability of village bus services.

There were some positive findings from the school visits relating to improvements in road safety knowledge and engagement with the QR code aspect of the scheme, however usage data and findings from the survey suggested that many pupils did not engage in the QR code aspect of the scheme, and it was not considered necessary for the success of the scheme.

It is important to highlight a number of limitations to the evaluation. In particular, the evaluation was largely qualitative in nature, focused on monitoring views and behaviours across the evaluation period. To supplement the evidence base, quantitative analysis such as pedestrian and road traffic counts, and parking surveys could be considered to support qualitative findings from surveys. Results from the surveys also showed that participation rates dropped and therefore, in future, a single survey to ask parents/carers how their behaviours have changed as a result of the scheme may reduce this risk.

Based on the evaluation findings and feedback on lessons learnt and scheme successes, a number of recommendations have been identified which could aid any future roll-out of the scheme:

  • Consider staggered implementation in future, avoiding the beginning of the school year, to manage resource requirements and maximise engagement.
  • Ensure information is communicated clearly with schools and consider holding briefing/information sessions before and during the scheme, to allow schools to ask questions and share ideas/best practice.
  • Consider how the QR code aspect of the scheme can be linked with the prizes, for example by introducing quizzes on the questions.
  • Consider rewarding bus travel as part of the scheme to avoid any negative impacts on bus/modal shift from bus to park and stride.
  • Consider simplifying materials so that all QR codes only link to the daily questions.
  • Identify any potential overlap with other ongoing schemes and work with schools early in the process to minimise the administrative burden.
  • Consider guidelines on how prizes and certificates are awarded to ensure scheme is targeting desired behaviours.
  • Monitor any changes in staff contacts and maintain communication with schools throughout.
  • Ensure messaging is clear on the risks of distracted behaviour while walking to school and continue to monitor any potential risks associated with distracted behaviour from pupils associated with phones.
  • Consider monitoring signs for vandalism.
  • Consider trialling the scheme without the QR code aspect to determine whether similar impacts would have been observed from recording travel patterns and awarding prizes.
  • Consider potential risk associated with fraudulent use of QR codes or URLs.
  • Consider an opt-in arrangement where schools actively sign up, rather than selecting particular schools, to maximise engagement.
  • Consider adopting a shorter scheme period as trialled in North Ayrshire, to maximise engagement with the scheme.
  • Encourage pupils to be actively involved in the administration of the scheme and prizes to maximise engagement amongst their peers.