Children's and parents' modal choice when commuting to primary school and air pollution burden: Is there a healthier way to commute?

Urban transportation choices significantly influence personal air pollution exposure, especially for vulnerable populations such as children. This study investigates the determinants of parental decisions regarding children’s school commuting modes and analyses the resulting differences in personal exposure to PM₂.₅. Using questionnaire data (N = 267) and mobile monitoring of air pollution (10,309 observations from 151 children in Brno, Czech Republic), we applied multinomial logistic regression and mixed-effects models to examine how socio-economic characteristics, mobility preferences, and environmental awareness shape mode choice and air quality exposure. Results show that active and public transport modes are associated with higher PM₂.₅ exposure compared to car travel, particularly during winter. Families with higher environmental awareness are more likely to choose sustainable modes despite potentially higher exposure. Additionally, we examined alternative routes for walking, cycling, and scooter commuting, demonstrating that exposure can be partially reduced, supporting the potential benefits of targeted policy measures.