An innovative child-friendly smart pick-up and drop-off system developed and used in Quzhou, Zhejiang province has recently been included in the second National List of Replicable Experiences in Building Urban Child-Friendly Spaces, now set to be promoted nationwide.

In recent years, Quzhou has developed a series of exemplary child-friendly spaces and innovative practices. The smart pick-up and drop-off system provides a replicable model for addressing the challenges of school commutes.

The project was a collaborative effort involving the city's education, housing, public security, and transport departments. Together, they established rest and waiting areas at school gates, weatherproof corridors, commuting paths, and underground parking — connecting the school's above-ground and underground spaces to optimize the commuting environment.

Weatherproof corridors built in Quzhou make it easy and convenient for folks to pick up and drop off their kids. [Photo/Tide News]

The system integrates spatial redesign with digital technology, creating 68 weatherproof corridors and underground parking lots in the city — enhancing convenience for picking up and dropping off children.

The setup effectively separates pedestrian and vehicle traffic, reducing main road congestion and improving traffic efficiency by over 80 percent.

Through digital platforms, the pick-up and drop-off processes are fully traceable and school-parent communications are in real-time — greatly improving safety for fetching and dropping off their youngsters.