Schools Located Near Highways: Problems and Prospects. Final Report [and] Case Studies.

In this 1977 publication, findings and recommendations are presented from 22 case studies involving the impact on schools adjacent to highway systems in the states of California, New Mexico, Colorado, Texas, Missouri, Maryland, and Virginia. The impacts described include: noise; vehicular and pedestrian safety; air pollution; access; circulation changes in service area; and visual distraction. The cases illustrate the range of perceived impacts associated with various types of school/highway positionings and the range of mitigation measures utilized to minimize negative impacts and their relative success. Positive impacts on schools include increased vehicular and pedestrian accessibility, and visibility from the road. Negative impacts include noise, safety, air pollution, and visual distraction. No perceived positive impacts are reported on the highway system from the school; negative school-to-highway impacts include traffic congestion, circulation, and decreased vehicular safety. Twenty-six broad recommendations are provided to minimize the adverse impact resulting from school/highway juxtapositioning. An appendix provides background and study objectives along with study methodology. (GR)