Student Drop-off and Pick-up Tools
When assessing the drop-off and pick-up process, activity on school grounds (on site) as well as activity in the area surrounding the school (off site) must be considered. These images depict an on-site drop-off and pick-up process that is orderly – motor vehicles are approaching single file and releasing students directly to the sidewalk in the designated drop-off zone.
But, off site, on a street near the same school, the process is chaotic. Notice the backed-up street, delaying commercial vehicles, school busses and parents wishing to drop off children. Such situations are often accompanied by unsafe driving behavior as everyone rushes to beat the morning bell or get to work on time. Developing safe routes to schools requires an orderly process for dropping off and picking up children both on and off the school campus.
Numerous tools can be used to improve the safety and efficiency of the drop-off and pick-up process at schools including:
- Encouraging walking, bicycling and carpooling
- Curb striping and other pavement markings
- Signage
- Separating motor vehicles from pedestrians and bicyclists
- Adding a drop-off and pick-up lane
- Assistants to help students exit and enter motor vehicles
- Adding an off-site queuing lane
- Temporary street closure and one-way street
- Temporary use of school grounds as drop-off and pick-up zone
- Education, including maps and frequent reminders using school announcements and newsletters
- Monitoring and enforcement of drop-off and pick-up policies