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Safe Routes to School Programs

crossing guard watching over children crossing a street at a crosswalk Announcements:
 

What is Safe Routes to School?

Safe Routes to School is an international movement that has taken hold in communities throughout the United States.  The concept is to increase the number of children who walk or bicycle to school by funding projects that remove the barriers that currently prevent them from doing so.  Those barriers include lack of infrastructure, unsafe infrastructure, lack of programs that promote walking and bicycling through education/encouragement programs aimed at children, parents, and the community. 

Why is Safe Routes to School important?

Thirty years ago, 60% of children living within a 2-mile radius of a school walked or bicycled to school.  Today, that number has dropped to less than 15%.  Roughly 25% commute by school bus, and well over half are driven to/from school in vehicles.  And back then, 5% of children between the ages of 6 and 11 were considered to be overweight or obese.  Today, that number has climbed to 20%.  These statistics point to a rise in preventable childhood diseases, worsening air quality and congestion around schools, and missed opportunities for children to grow into self reliant, independent adults.

Safe Routes to School Programs are intended to reverse these trends by funding projects that improve safety and efforts that promote walking and bicycling within a collaborative community framework.  It is through local champions working with a coalition of parents, schools, professionals in transportation, engineering, health, law enforcement, that the most sustainable projects are expected to emerge.

State and Federal Safe Routes to School Programs

There are two separate and distinct Safe Routes to School programs.  One is the State-legislated Program referred to as SR2S and the other is the Federal Program referred to as SRTS.  While both programs are intended to achieve the same basic goal of increasing the number of children walking and bicycling to school by making it safer for them to do so, they differ in several respects.  See matrix below, posted July 31, 2009.

Program Features State-Legislated Program - SR2S Federal Program - SRTS
Legislative Authority Streets & Highways Code Section 2330-2334 Section 1404 in SAFETEA-LU
Expires AB 57 extends program indefinitely SAFETEA-LU expires in September 30, 2009
Eligible Applicants Cities and counties State, local, and regional agencies experienced in meeting federal transportation requirements.  Non-profit organizations, school districts, public health departments, and Native American Tribes must partner with a city, county, MPO, or RTPA to serve as the responsible agency for their project.
Eligible Projects Infrastructure projects Stand-alone infrastructure or non-infrastructure projects
Local Match 10% required None
Project Completion Deadline Within 4 state FYs after project funds are allocated Within 4 federal FYs after funds are obligated
Restriction on Infrastructure Projects Must be located in the vicinity of a school Infrastructure projects must be within 2 miles of a grade school or middle school
Targeted Beneficiaries Children in grades K-12 Children in grades K-8
Cycles Completed 8 cycles 2 cycles
Current Status Cycle 8 project list released on August 10, 2009 Cycle 2 projects list approved in October, 2008
Funding $48.5M worth of projects selected in Cycle 8 $46M was available in Cycle 2

How to get started

While every community is unique, the basic steps to consider prior to submitting an application for Safe Routes to School funds are:

  • Identify community stakeholders and form a multidisciplinary team of partners committed to working together in developing a community vision, developing project applications, and implementing those projects if selected for funding.
  • Inventory and identify safety needs/hazards around schools; get information and seek out resources; and propose alternatives that would correct those needs/hazards.
  • Prioritize alternatives and adopt the best alternative that proposes short-term and long-term safety solutions in the form of projects.
  • Develop a plan.
  • Submit an application to secure funding for project within that plan.

Helpful Safe Routes to School Program Resources

For any program or policy-related questions, contact Joyce Parks, the Safe Routes to School Coordinator at Caltrans Headquarters by calling: (916) 653-6920, or by e-mailing her at:  joyce_parks@dot.ca.gov.  The first point of contact on project implementation questions should be directed to the Caltrans Safe Routes to School District Coordinator in your region.  If he/she is unable to be of assistance, contact the Caltrans District Local Assistance Engineer in your region. 

For anyone looking for detailed information about the Safe Routes to School programs, or guidance regarding best practices, training resources, program requirements, etc. the websites listed below should be helpful.