PERCEPTIONS OF SAFETY AMONG ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHILDREN AND ITS SURROUNDINGS DURING SCHOOL COMMUTES: CASE STUDY FUKUOKA, JAPAN

This study looks at how elementary school students in Fukuoka, Japan, perceive the safety of their commutes. It employs a mixed-methods approach, integrating observational research of school routes with quantitative questionnaires. 165 kids between the ages of 6 and 12 participated in surveys to gauge how safe they thought they were. Real-time insights into environmental risks, such as sidewalk conditions, traffic patterns, and safety infrastructure, were made possible by observational data. Traffic accidents, strange people, and dimly lit streets are the main issues cited; there are also higher risks on the trip home, especially in dim alleys. The existence of "few people" was another common worry. The results underscore the necessity of safer school routes and the significance of cooperation between transportation authorities, educators, and legislators. The report emphasises the need for better illumination, monitoring, and community engagement to improve kids' commute safety and provide a safer environment for school transportation.