Potential Carbon Emission Savings from Children’s School Commuting in Urban Areas Based on Smart Mobility Tracking

Abstract

The use of emissions-intensive motorized transport for school commuting, particularly in urban areas, is highly concerning. Restricting the use of motorized transport and encouraging independent school mobility provides an opening for emissions reduction. Previous research has demonstrated that independent mobility is a function of various sociodemographics. The present study aims to examine the potential for reducing carbon emissions from children’s school commute through the utilization of smart mobility tracking, with travel distance and sociodemographics as determinants for primary school children in Semarang City, Indonesia. The children’s mobility patterns for school commutes were recorded with portable GPS tracking devices. The data were processed using GIS to analyze routes and distances. Sociodemographic characteristics related to independent mobility were examined using logistic regression. The study estimated the actual and potential carbon emissions resulting from school commute. Travel distance, along with some of the sociodemographic traits, was analyzed to identify children’s potential for independent mobility and the resulting emissions reduction. The findings indicate that increasing the chance of children’s independent mobility could considerably contribute to lowering carbon emissions related to school commutes.