This study examined perspectives of the trip to/from school and travel mode choice among parents who differed in socio-economic status (SES), and whose children attended schools located in different areas (i.e., urban vs. inner-suburban) across Toronto. Thirty-seven parents (20 active and 17 non-active travelers) of grade four to six students from four elementary schools (capturing diversity with respect to built environment and SES) participated in qualitative interviews after taking photos of their trip to/from school. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis linking the text and visual data. School travel was a habitual behaviour involving a 2-step parental decision-making process; these decisions were influenced by different factors. While escort decisions were dictated by safety concerns, the behavioural cost and reinforcing value of travel mode alternatives dictated mode choice. Strategies addressing these behavioural cost and reinforcing value factors may be helpful in making walking to/from school the quickest and most convenient choice.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:TORONTO/oai:tspace.library.utoronto.ca:1807/18838 |
| Date | 15 February 2010 |
| Creators | Richichi, Vanessa A. |
| Contributors | Faulkner, Guy |
| Source Sets | University of Toronto |
| Language | en_ca |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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