School Travel Planning

School Travel Planning (STP) is a community-based model for implementing active school travel that systematically addresses barriers to and incentives for walking to school. STP strengthens local commitment to active school travel.

STP is a proven cost-effective way to get more kids walking and wheeling to school. When effectively coordinated and implemented, it results in positive travel behaviour changes with health, safety, environmental, and economic benefits.

Through STP, school and community stakeholders collaborate to create and implement school-level action plans that use all of the Five E’s to:

• address ongoing transportation and traffic safety problems
• increase the number of students using active and sustainable modes for all or part of the journey to school.

Keys to success

To succeed, STP requires:

• implementation for at least two or three years at each school
• a trained Facilitator who works directly with the school, liaises with community stakeholders, leads data collection and analysis, and guides action-planning and implementation

Read testimonials from parents and other stakeholders.

Getting started

• Watch this video tutorial for an overview of the School Travel Planning process.
• Review our extensive School Travel Planning Toolkit to begin implementing STP in your community.
• STP Facilitator training is available from Green Communities Canada.
• Learn about ways to prioritize equity and engagement during the STP process. 
• If you have other questions about School Travel Planning, contact us

Other STP resources

• School Travel Planning in Toronto: Summary of Programs, 2017-2020
• School Travel Planning in Waterloo Region: Annual Report, 2019-2020
• School Travel Planning in Action in Ontario showcases ten Ontario STP communities.
• The School Travel Planning Feasibility Study assesses STP implementation in two contrasting regions of Ontario: the City of Toronto and the Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph region.
• The STP Benefit-Cost Information Sheet summarizes research on cost-effectiveness. Read the full report: Benefit Cost Final Report 2016.
• Tools for conducting a benefit-cost analysis of the STP process are:
  • Benefit-Cost Analysis Tool – Individual School
  • Benefit-Cost Analysis Tool – Multiple Schools
• The Stepping It Up pilot used the STP model in 30 Ontario elementary schools in Hamilton, Brampton, and Mississauga.
• Children’s Mobility, Health and Happiness: Final report on the 2009-2012 national pilot project that introduced STP to 120 schools across Canada.
• The Ottawa High School Pilot Project adapted the School Travel Planning model to the high school context. Read the Project Overview for further information.
• School Travel Planning for high schools has been further developed by Green Communities Canada as part of the Eglinton Crosstown STP Project funded by Metrolinx – the Supplementary Report for High School STP describes the key considerations for implementing STP at the high school level.