Students Conduct Traffic Study to Improve Safety and Efficiency

You may have seen a group of Greenhills students standing curbside with clipboards in hands, keenly studying the traffic during pick-up and drop-off times. They’re known as the Gryphon Guards, and they are on a mission to make these comings and goings safer, more efficient, and less stressful, while reducing the environmental impact from idling.

Data has been the foundation of their work, and they have spent months gathering and analyzing their research to identify opportunities. Now they’re ready to make some recommendations and test their efficacy in a two-week trial.

Origins of the StudyThe Gryphon Guard Association was formed after Kilas Gallimore, a member of the class of 2022, was inspired by the new construction taking place at Greenhills. A new library and dining room had been built, the field and track renovation was underway, and Gallimore thought there had to be a way to improve the traffic flow at Greenhills too. Gallimore recruited fellow classmate Avni Mangrulkar to become the Gryphon Guard Association co-lead, and several other students joined in their efforts. Together, they studied the traffic patterns at Greenhills throughout the 2020-2021 school year.

Next Steps: Testing May 25 – June 3For the final weeks of school, May 24 through June 3, two new drop-off systems will be tested at Greenhills. The Gryphon Guards will continue to collect data and then analyze the results before making final recommendations to the School.

• Green Zones at Drop-Off
  Gryphon Guards will be holding signs to indicate where it is ok to drop off, which are the areas highlighted in green on the diagrams below.
• Pull forward Policy
  Parents will be prompted by Gryphon Guards to move as far forward as possible before dropping off. If you are stopped behind a car that is dropping off in a green zone, you will be required to drop off as well.
• Right Turns Only
  When exiting campus — either at the main entrance or theater entrance — all parents will be asked to turn right onto Greenhills Drive. Parents may then have the option to turn left at Earhart Road.

The findings of this research will be shared with the Greenhills community at a later date, when all of the data has been analyzed, along with any permanent changes to Greenhills’ traffic flow.

May 25–28 Traffic Flow

June 1-3 Traffic Flow

Legend

• I: Idling Officer—Indicate where green zones are and encourage parents to drop off at the right times. These officers also assist parent drivers by giving them directions, if needed
• Tp: Traffic Person Officer—The person who indicates if vehicles should turn left or right at fork depending on traffic at the exit intersection
• T: Signs that indicate the direction vehicles should drive
• Green: Green Drop Off Zones
• M: Main school entrance
• A: Athletic entrance