From 2023 to present, 4 schools in Hanoi have piloted the model of "Traffic-safe school gates", including: Nguyen Du Primary School (Ha Dong), Xuan Dinh Primary School (Bac Tu Liem), Sai Son Primary School (Quoc Oai) and Van Phuc Primary School (Ha Dong). A representative of the Hanoi Department of Construction said that this is a technical assistance project within the framework of a global initiative, including many components from infrastructure, communications, enforcement to data collection.
Solutions are deployed such as adding soft median strips, painting road markings, arranging signs, speed limiters, safe access roads, waiting areas for students - parents... all bring clear results.
Previously, during school break, many streets in Hanoi such as Van Phuc, Van Quan... often had crowded traffic, parents stopped and parked in a mess right in front of the school gate. Many unfortunate collisions and accidents have occurred when students crossed the road without looking. At the gate of Nguyen Du Primary School (Ha Dong), since the renovation, there have been almost no serious traffic collisions. This is a testament to the effectiveness of the model, especially in the context of previously very high vehicle speed.
The representative of the Hanoi Department of Construction also said that for the project to achieve sustainable efficiency, it is important to flexibly apply the model according to the characteristics of each area, and cannot apply machinery to all school gates. Each location has different traffic volume, space and habits, so the solution needs to suit local realities.
Therefore, people need to be mobilized and persuaded to understand that traffic adjustments around schools are not to cause inconvenience, but to protect their own children. When people agree, the new model becomes a habit, a culture of traffic safety.
Deputy Director of Ha Tay Road Management and Construction Joint Stock Company I (the unit directly implementing the project) - Mr. Pham Vu Hung shared that the project at Van Phuc Primary School is the second project implemented by the unit after the pilot point at Nguyen Du Primary School. Through the process of coordinating with international experts, the unit has learned many new methods of traffic organization, and at the same time adjusted them to suit the actual traffic conditions in Vietnam.
According to Mr. Hung, the construction does not only stop at infrastructure but also has to take into account travel habits, school pick-up times, buses, motorbikes, etc. to design synchronously, both safely and conveniently.
Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Construction - Mr. Dao Duy Phong said that after more than a year of implementation, the project has brought about positive changes in the awareness of students, teachers and parents in complying with traffic safety rules. The pilot models have all shown clear effectiveness and are highly appreciated by the community.
The Hanoi Department of Construction expects the Bloomberg Philanthropies for Global Road Traffic Safety Project to continue providing technical support, helping the capital expand the model of "Traffic Safety School Gate" to communes and wards, towards the goal of "Safe, civilized city, friendly to children".
