Safer streets, stronger neighbourhoods: Street design and safety planning for school zones in North Cowichan
Subject
Abstract
School zones in the Municipality of North Cowichan face a difficult balance between maintaining traffic flow and protecting the safety of students. Several schools are located along collector corridors that serve both regional traffic and neighbourhood access, creating complex conditions during arrival and dismissal periods. This research looks at how roadway geometry and street design shape the way people move through these school environments. Two corridors were analyzed as case studies: Lane Road at Drinkwater Elementary School and University Way at Quw’utsun Secondary School. Site observations, traffic counts, and an infrastructure audit were used to document pedestrian, cycling, and vehicle movement during peak school periods. The findings indicate that standard road classifications and design practices often conflict with the movement patterns of children and youth. The study concludes that improving school street safety requires moving beyond signage to street design that responds to the local setting and better reflects how school environments are actually used.