Woodland Elementary School Mobility Analysis
What: Safe Routes to School arrival/dismissal planning
When: 2022
Team: BikeWalkKC
Client: Olathe Public Schools
Funding: Olathe Public Schools
BikeWalkKC’s mobility analysis for Woodland Elementary incorporated data gathering and synthesis of all of the factors that impact a student’s ability to safely and comfortably walk or bike to school. This included everything from the behavior of students and parents at arrival and dismissal, to the quality of the physical infrastructure on and around the school site, to the school policies and procedures that support or hinder walking and biking.
With enrollment and staffing expected to double by 2028 to accommodate new development within Woodland’s boundary, Olathe Public Schools hired BikeWalkKC to perform a mobility analysis. To avoid extreme vehicular backup on private roadways surrounding the school, BikeWalkKC sought strategies that would encourage more kids to walk, bike, or bus to school.
BikeWalkKC evaluated arrival and dismissal patterns, surrounding infrastructure, and worked closely with a local traffic engineer to understand pinch points and congestion. analysis informed recommendations for site improvements, operational enhancements, and supplemental programs and policies that can support a better environment for walking and biking to school.
BikeWalkKC gathered data through field observations, a review of school policies, interviews and surveys with parents and school staff, and on-the-ground site analysis of the school and surroundings. Recommendations included crosswalk and intersection improvements, signage, and the construction of spot sidewalk improvements to fill key gaps in connectivity between the school and surrounding neighborhoods.
