As the school day comes to an end, every day we see the same scenes: blocks, honking horns, frustrated parents and loads of accidents The routine of school dismissal symbolizes severe traffic jams, resulting in a perfect storm of congestion and safety issues that impact not only students and parents but entire communities. A study conducted by Science Direct the study indicated the fact that 85% of the people were disturbed by traffic noise, and about 90% of the people reported that traffic noise is the main cause of headaches, high BP problems, dizziness and fatigue. Psychologists report that the number one cause of hearing loss is not age, it’s noise. The elderly are at an even higher risk of further hearing damage caused by noise pollution.

Many schools release students simultaneously, overwhelming local roads and creating a surge in traffic. According to a recent survey, parents spend an average of 20–30 minutes in traffic each day, a significant delay that impacts their schedules and productivity. Also, traffic accidents can increase by approximately 20–30% during school dismissal times compared to non-peak hours. This is due to the higher volume of vehicles and the added stress of navigating congested areas.

The heavy traffic during this time also poses a safety hazard. There have been reports of accidents involving students, highlighting the need for improved traffic management. The stress of navigating these chaotic conditions also affects drivers, leading to a heightened risk of mistakes and further complications.

In many areas, infrastructure fails to keep pace with traffic demands. Roads are outdated, lacking adequate lanes of traffic signals and unmarked lanes are unable to handle the high volume. Additionally, there is no coordination between school schedules and traffic management systems. Traffic lights may not be optimized for peak times, and there may be insufficient signage directing traffic flow. Unoptimized traffic signals lead to increased congestion and longer travel times as vehicles face unnecessary delays. Inefficient traffic signal timing can lead to increased accident risks, such as rear-end collisions, and contribute to higher fuel consumption and emissions. Moreover, poor signal timing can compromise pedestrian safety and negatively impact public transportation reliability.

Addressing the issues is only one part of the story but we need to think about solutions as most of the problems are addressed but they are still not solved due to lack of proper solutions. Improved traffic management can play a crucial role. Synchronizing traffic lights to accommodate peak school times, increasing the presence of traffic officers to direct flow, and creating designated pick-up and drop-off zones could alleviate some of the congestion. Schools can play a proactive role in mitigating traffic congestion by staggering dismissal times, promoting carpooling, and exploring alternative drop-off points. These measures can significantly reduce the number of vehicles on the road during peak hours.

The involvement of the community is also very important for this cause because everyone faces this issue daily. Every member of the community is equally responsible for creating and solving the issues we face collectively. Everyone should be a little patient and follow traffic rules also residents and parent organizations can advocate for infrastructure improvements and participate in, or support initiatives aimed at easing traffic. These are the little steps to improve the traffic flow and reduce accidents during school dismissal times.

Also, some companies should take the initiative to implement cost-effective and efficient traffic management systems as we seek ways to improve traffic flow and ensure the safety of students, it’s worth the role that innovative engineering solutions can play. Companies like Pak German Engineers (PGE) are at the forefront of developing advanced infrastructure and traffic management systems designed to address these very challenges. By investing in cutting-edge technology and smart traffic solutions, PGE is helping to pave the way for more efficient and safer school zones.