A series of short informative radio features about transport are being broadcast on children’s radio station Fun Kids, as it ramps up its educational content to support children staying at home.
The radio station, which broadcasts on DAB, is running features produced thanks to expertise from a number of ITS (UK) members including WSP, TfL and the British Parking Association who answered the society’s call for help last year. The series will play on the radio station and is also available as podcasts and on YouTube through the Fun Kids website at www.funkidslive.com/roads.
“Are We There Yet” is a 16-part series which covers the history of the road, how they are built, and how digital technology helps keep drivers moving. It was supported by a Royal Academy of Engineering Ingenious grant.
“With children at home, giving them educational content in an entertaining way will, no doubt, be a godsend to parents across the country,” said ITS (UK) Secretary General Jennie Martin. “When we worked with Fun Kids to help produce these programmes, I knew we were making a difference by recruiting our members in a way only we can, but I never thought just how valuable the programmes would turn out to be!”
“Having this content to play at such a vital time for children’s broadcasting is fantastic,” added Fun Kids Managing Director, Gregory Watson (pictured). “We launched the initiative with ITS (UK) back at Traffex at the NEC last April and I’m very grateful for all their help to get the series on air.”
Fun Kids is also running a series about the design of roads and their environment called “What a great road”, thanks to a grant from the Rees Jeffreys Road Fund. Trustee Andy Graham, who is also ITS (UK)’s Connected Vehicle Forum Chair explained, “Rees Jeffreys wanted the fund run in his memory to assist the provision of educational activities and access to studies that would lead to improvements in the design of highways and adjoining land and we are delighted that we could support the engagement of children through Fun Kids. The station’s work with us, ITS (UK) and the Royal Academy of Engineering shows that commercial broadcasters can produce great content that engages and entertains. Our decision to support the series is really paying off in these difficult circumstances.”
The programmes can be found at www.funkidslive.com/roads along with many other series including ones on the rail industry and town planning.
