The secondary school in Munderfing is attended by 190 pupils who are taught by 20 teachers. Multi-subject work on projects is an essential part of instruction there. It was observed that parental taxi services (escorting by car) were on the increase, which meant more motor traffic around the school. In a school poll half the roughly 190 pupils said they were brought to school by car “increasingly often”.
The project is meant to improve road safety around the school and to reduce motor traffic levels. In addition, pupils should become more aware of environmental issues, and climate change should be spotlit. Finally, a mobility strategy for Munderfing Secondary School should be put together.
Th project started with a poll on the pupils' choice of modes of transport, followed by a traffic census. “Traffic detectives” used cameras to document hazard points on their ways to school, while other pupils put together a chronicle of what they experienced on the way to and from school. The school parliament submitted a petition to the local council with suggestions for improving road safety. By arrangement with the council pupils also collected cycle miles during a limited period; 137 pupils (out of a possible 187) took part. There were outings to the local cycle shop and to KTM, a fair-sized cycle manufacturer in the vicinity. A police inspector discussed road safety with the pupils. During the campaign week “We have the same way to school”, pupils met (on foot or with their bikes) at predetermined points at agreed times, and travelled on to school together. All these activities resulted in a school mobility strategy which will be tested, improved and implemented over the next few years.
Klara Steinbach
Hauptschule Munderfing
Schulstraße 9
5222 Munderfing
E: k.steinbach(at)hsmunderfing.at
T: 0043 7744 6349
More information:
www.hsmunderfing.at
Municipality Munderfing
Children/juvenile participation
Traffic and Mobility
September 2010 - July 2011