Integrated system for safe transportation of children to school - with the use of intelligent transport systems (ITS)

The aim of the paper is to present the main guidelines of the Safeway2School European research project. The project's primary objective is to determine the safest route for school buses that transport children to school, through low traffic density areas, avoiding black spots. The project anticipates the use of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) in the process of children transportation. Within the project the Route Planning System, Rerouting System and Warning System will be designed and developed for school buses as well as for all surrounding vehicles. Project aims at designing the route for school buses and also the alternative route (in case the bus has to be rerouted due to traffic congestion or traffic incident) in order to maximize the safety of transported children with the use of localization and route planning tools, on-board safety systems and sensors in vehicles and road infrastructure. It is also crucial to design the network of ,"intelligent" bus stops (child-bus stop-bus communication) and equip the pilot group of children with special tags. The target group of the project consists of school bus drivers, children (pupils 6-16 years old) and their families, but also the road infrastructure authorities, car manufacturers, other road users and representatives of public administration. Within the project the training programs for school bus drivers, children, parents and other drivers will be elaborated. The aim of such activities is to result in unification of guidelines, training schemes and regulations concerning safe transportation of children to school. For the pilot realization of the above mentioned systems and training programs four European localizations have been chosen: Sweden, Austria, Italy and Poland. At the end of the project realization an evaluation of usability and effectiveness of applied technologies, as well as the level of system user's acceptance will be conducted. The project was submitted to the European Commission within the 7th Frame Program. Motor Transport Institute is the Polish project executor.