Project Description
Smart Steps is a data-powered solution to optimise school transport networks so that every child enjoys a faster, safer and smarter journey to school.
By integrating open transport data, school catchment boundaries, census demographics and safety insights, Smart Steps identifies inefficiencies in current routes and proposes smarter alternatives.
Smart Steps enables:
* Safer journeys through heatmaps of accident-prone areas near schools.
* Smarter planning with AI-driven route optimisation.
* Equity in access by highlighting underserved regional and low-income areas.
* Sustainability gains by reducing congestion and emissions around schools.
The result? A transport ecosystem that works for students, parents, schools and governments ensuring that getting to school supports learning, wellbeing and community safety.
Data Story
The story of how ACT school kids travel is hidden in data. By connecting 10 key datasets, SmartSteps transforms raw numbers into insights that help governments, parents, and schools create safer, faster, and more equitable journeys.
- How kids travel today
Dataset: ACT Daily Public Transport Passenger Journeys by Service Type
Shows daily peaks in bus journeys during school start/end times.
Insight: School-related trips create sharp demand spikes → buses overcrowded at 8–9 AM, near-empty mid-day.
Story: Current scheduling is inefficient, with mismatch between capacity and demand.
Which schools are served (and which are left behind)
Datasets: ACT School Bus Services + ACT Bus Routes
Maps all dedicated school services vs. public bus routes.
Insight: Urban schools often enjoy multiple school-only services, while outer suburbs depend on long, indirect public bus routes.
Story: This creates a postcode lottery: your address determines how long and safe your school commute is.
How far students travel
Dataset: Student Distance from Schools
Measures actual distances between where students live and their schools.
Insight: Some regional students travel 2–3x farther than urban peers, with commutes over 60 minutes.
Story: Distance creates hidden inequality → rural kids spend less time studying, playing, or resting.
- The first/last mile challenge
Dataset: Park and Ride Locations
Identifies where parents must drive children before they catch buses.
Insight: Park & Ride reduces congestion at schools, but creates multi-stage, stressful journeys for families.
Story: Without integrated solutions, many trips remain fragmented (car + bus + walk).
- Who is most affected
Dataset: Census Data for all ACT Schools
Shows socio-economic and demographic diversity of student populations.
Insight: Families in low-income areas rely more heavily on school buses and public transport.
Story: Transport equity is an education equity issue, poor access hits disadvantaged students hardest
