Why School Traffic Feels Like a Never-Ending Rush Hour—and How We Can Fix It

Traffic, even school traffic is a huge problem to solve. Sometimes, it takes a lot of effort, planning, and resources to make the smallest changes. When looking closely at the issue, many factors play into the congested streets on our way to work, school, or the vacation spot we want to get to. One of the most prevalent issues is the fact that people happen to converge at the same place and at the same time; therefore, causing many key issues to come into play. How can this be, that people mysteriously happen to be stuck in the same line over and over again?

People leave at the same time.

Why? That question is layered in itself. As a student, I can attest that it is sometimes hard to get out of bed, let alone be able to get up an hour or more before school. This critical issue may be the reason why traffic may even exist.

Even getting every person to wake up early wouldn't solve our problems. The majority of people are on similar schedules, whether it's students heading to school, parents dropping off their kids, or workers on their morning commute. The result is a definite increase in vehicles on the road and lots of morning traffic congestion.

Like a bottleneck effect, when too many rushing cars try to squeeze through that narrow drive-through in the school parking lot all at once, everything slows down. Although slight deviations in departure times in the morning may help, many people don't have the flexibility to adjust their schedules in the evening, when everyone tries to leave at the same time.

Potential Solutions

There are a few potential solutions that can alleviate the school traffic, with their successes and challenges.

1. Staggered Start Times: As implemented by many schools, many students can have earlier or later school start and end times. When students can get to school one class period after the first class of the day, they can bypass much of the traffic commotion and also reduce the car traffic as a byproduct.

2. Improved Public Transportation: Expanding and improving public transportation options for students can also reduce the number of cars on the road. Buses or shuttles that are reliable and accessible to busy students can make a big difference, especially in areas where traffic is particularly bad.

3. Remote Learning Option: During the COVID-19 pandemic, remote learning has been used as a viable option for many students. With more flexibility, remote learning days could reduce daily commutes and traffic on certain days.

4. Biking and Walking: Particularly useful for students living close to their schools, biking, and walking is a no-brainer in being healthy and environmentally friendly, compared to driving. Schools can support these efforts by ensuring safe routes and secure bike storage.

Traffic is a complex issue that requires many ways to approach the solution. Addressing root causes like departure times and rigid school schedules, many communities can make small changes in the right direction for significant improvements. It's not about just getting to school or work on time, but also creating a better environment for everyone.