Mapping Exercise-hazard identification - Green Schools Ireland

Worksheet 4 – Identifying Hazards/ Assessing a Pedestrian Friendly Route
Aim:
The aim of this exercise is to make students aware of what hazards are and how
to identify them on their journey to school.
Objective:
Raising awareness of safety issues associated with road traffic and personal
safety. It also allows students to focus on their local environment and their route
to school.
What you need:
• OS map of area
• Cameras (if possible)
• Large sheet of paper
• Pens
What to do:
In the classroom:
1. Discuss how pupils travel to school and what potential hazards they may
face.
2. Use an OS 1:50,000 map of the area if you can get hold of one. Mark on
the map the main routes used by students when they travel to school.
3. Put together a SWOT table to identify Strengths, Weaknesses,
Opportunities and Threats for each route identified (see an example
below).
In the field:
4. The survey can be carried out in two ways; a) students individually survey
their route for hazards on an agreed day or b) the class is broken down
into groups (each group will have a supervisor) and will walk the routes to
assess the number of hazards they can identify and how friendly the route
is for pedestrians (i.e. does it have a pedestrian crossings etc).
5. If cameras are available each group should be given one to record
hazards on the route. Hazards could include;
a) Junctions where traffic is heavy
b) Alleyways
c) Blind spots in the road
d) Poorly maintained cycle lanes
e) High speed zones
Pedestrian friendly infrastructure/locations could include:
- Pedestrian crossings
- Zebra crossings
- Well lit streets
- Wide pavements
- Traffic wardens

- Low speed zones
In the classroom:
6. Pupils can mark on the map the location along the route where hazards
or infrastructure occur.
7. If cameras were used these pictures can then be displayed with the map
to give a clearer understanding of the hazard.
8. Pupils can then assess the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats
associated with each route (see attached table).
9. Finally pupils can then determine which route is safer for walkers, cyclists or
motorists.
10. As a follow up it may be useful finding out from the local Gardai where
the accident blackspots are in the area. If this information is available it
will be useful when planning safer routes to school.
Example of a SWOT analysis table:
Route Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats Overall Analysis
Route 1 Has a
pedestrian
crossing and
lollipop lady
There are two
alleyways
which are unlit
Useful websites:
www.eco-schools.org
www.epa.ie
www.saferoutestoschools.org.uk
www.livingstreets.org.uk
There is
potential to
avoid the
alleyways by
walking down
XXX street
The road
outside
the school
has a lot
of HGV
traffic
There are a number
of hazards along the
route. However there
are good crossing
points and the
lollipop lady is always
there to help.