We are proud to announce that on Saturday, May 17, Boulder Chamber Transportation Connections Executive Director, Darcy Kitching, graduated from the University of Colorado Denver with a doctoral degree in Geography, Planning and Design from the College of Architecture and Planning. Her research looks at how most current transportation demand management approaches, including the Safe Routes to School program, are out of step with the current needs and capabilities of many families with school-aged children.
Dr. Kitching’s dissertation, Understanding the Role of Community-Generated Data in Planning for Equitable Youth and Family Access to Active Transportation Options, engaged 23 transportation professionals and 44 families from around Boulder County in interviews and interactive focus groups in 2021 and 2022. It resulted in a set of context-sensitive metrics and questions to facilitate collaboration among transportation planning professionals and families, to increase mutual learning and innovation. Transportation Connections will implement some of the suggested strategies starting this year in collaboration with Safe Routes to School staff at the Boulder Valley School District.
To learn more about this research and its implications, you can find Dr. Kitching’s dissertation on the ProQuest academic database, or download and read the two-page preface and dissertation abstract, provided below. Reach out to Darcy directly for more information or to request a talk about her research: darcy.kitching@boulderchamber.com.