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Parking problems and behaviour change

Parking issues are common at schools, impacting safety, air quality, and local residents. Hampshire County Council supports schools through education, promotion and enforcement. Schools can use our parking problems and behaviour change guide below or download a PDF version to help improve parking, encourage active travel and promote healthier lifestyles by identifying support needed and desired outcomes.

 

 

 

Identifying root causes: Taking time to think of some of the root causes of the issue can be really beneficial to implementing effective interventions and behaviour change initiatives. Possible things to consider: location of school, resident parking, restrictions on road, access points on to the school site, pupil catchment and location of families.

 

Gather information: Surveys, observations, postcode mapping and street audits. The Travel Planning Team can support with each of these.

 

Understand causes and behaviour change:

Capability - can change be accomplished in principle?

Opportunity - Is there opportunity for behaviour change to occur?

Motivation - Is there sufficient motivation to change behaviours?

 

Target behaviours: What do you want to achieve? What can be changed?



 

Reduction in car use:

  • Promoting active and sustainable travel
  • Promoting public transport

Promote responsible parking:

  • Parkwise Promise
  • JRSOs and behaviour change interventions
  • Road safety education
  • Possible infrastructure change
 Relocate parking:
  • Establish a Park and Stride site
  • Encourage essential car users to park 5-10 walk away
  • Promote lift sharing
  • Promote ‘Park on my Drive’

 

                                                                                                                                   

 

Who can support?

Who can support?

 

Supportive travel planning measures

There are a range of actions schools can take to ease parking issues, engage the community, and encourage positive travel alternatives. 

School Travel Policy: Setting up a School Travel Policy, outlining aims in regards to promoting road safety, active and sustainable travel and responsible local parking can formalise and demonstrate the school’s commitment to alleviating parking issues.

New starter information: Having information on the benefits of active travel, parking regulations and expectations for parents when joining the school can promote positive habits early.

‘Travel to School’ Section on website: Having a ‘Travel to School’ section of the website, outlining the school’s promotion of active travel, parking regulations and  relevant info can be useful for reference and to demonstrate the school’s efforts. Sharing information of events which may impact parking, such as parent’s evenings, can  be really beneficial for residents.

Email template for residents: In the event of receiving parking complaints from residents, having a standard email outlining measures the school are taking and  process of reporting can save staff time and foster good relationships with the community.

Communication through social media and newsletters: Highlighting parking expectations and issues in newsletters, focusing on motivators for changing behaviour,  such as health, safety and environmental benefits can help communications be positive and enabling.

Setting up and promoting a Park and Stride site: Schools can consider setting up a park and stride site, enabling parking away from school and the integration of an active stage to the journey. The Travel Planning Team can assist with this process, the creation of maps and events which can help promote the site.

If you would like to explore these initiatives further and promote active and sustainable travel, please contact the Travel Planning Team