A University of Utah study looked at how neighborhood design and family perceptions shape the choice to walk to school. The findings point to both good urban design and clear safety perceptions as keys to putting more kids on their feet.
Key Finding at a Glance
In the planned, walkable community of Daybreak, a large majority of surveyed students reported walking to school in a given week—far more than in a nearby, less walkable suburb.
Read the abstract: Journal of Environmental Psychology (forthcoming, 2010) • Watch coverage: KSL TV segment
Why Students Walk (and Why They Don’t)
First, distance and a connected street network matter. However, the study also shows that perception shapes behavior. Parents in the less walkable area saw more barriers—traffic speeds, crossings, or crime—than their own children did. Because parents typically decide how kids travel, their beliefs can tip the scale.
To change those perceptions, the researchers suggest practical steps: map safe routes, add marked crosswalks, and organize walking school buses. Together, these actions make routes feel predictable and safe.
About the Study
Researchers surveyed fifth‑graders in two South Jordan schools to compare three groups: a “walkable community” group living within Daybreak and within roughly a mile of school; a “mixed” group living near the same school in larger‑lot, cul‑de‑sac neighborhoods; and a third group attending another nearby school on a busy street with fewer pedestrian features.
The lead author, Melissa Napier, conducted the work in the U’s Department of Family and Consumer Studies with support from a University of Utah Synergy seed grant for interdisciplinary urban systems research.
Learn more about Family & Consumer Studies at the U and see how Daybreak plans for walkability.
What Makes Daybreak More Walkable
- Schools sit near the center of the neighborhood—well within walking distance for many families.
- Streets connect in a network; sidewalks line both sides; and paths and trails fill in the gaps.
- Smaller lots, front porches, and frequent parks create eyes‑on‑the‑street and short, pleasant trips.
In short, Daybreak scales everyday destinations—schools, parks, churches, shops, and community centers—to an easy walking pace.
Quick Facts
- Publication: Journal of Environmental Psychology (2010, forthcoming)
- Lead author: Melissa Napier (University of Utah)
- Sample: 193 fifth‑graders in two South Jordan schools
- Funding: U of U Synergy seed grant
- Media: KSL video coverage
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Originally published August 12, 2010 • Source: Daybreak Utah news post
