Safe Routes to School Program Overview Cassandra Gascon Bligh Safe Routes to School Program Coordinator MassDOT
Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Works with schools, communities, students, and families to increase active transportation among elementary and middle school students in the Commonwealth Federally funded program Established in 2005 as part of SAFETEA-LU Funded today with Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) funds
2018 MOVING TOGETHER CONFERENCE SRTS Program Overview The “Six E‘s” Education Encouragement Enforcement Evaluation Equity Engineering 2018 MOVING TOGETHER CONFERENCE
2018 MOVING TOGETHER CONFERENCE Education Give schools & communities resources to empower smart and safe pedestrians and bicyclists through education Bike Rodeos Parent Flyers and Tip Sheets SRTS Courses and Forums Lesson Plans 2018 MOVING TOGETHER CONFERENCE
2018 MOVING TOGETHER CONFERENCE Education New Lesson Plans 2018 MOVING TOGETHER CONFERENCE
2018 MOVING TOGETHER CONFERENCE Encouragement Organize programs and events that encourage students, parents, and the local community to choose active and safe modes of transportation Flagship events Walking school buses/bike trains Providing safety “goodies” at events Free helmet fittings 2018 MOVING TOGETHER CONFERENCE
Enforcement Partner with local police, safety officers, and school resource officers to enhance the safety of students who walk and bike Enforcement of stop signs and speed limits Crossing Guard Training video https://vimeo.com/aecomvizstudio/review/297182291/2ed32edd53
Evaluation Evaluate the physical transportation environment, as well as how community members interact with that environment Active Transportation Assessment Walking assessment Pick-up/drop-off observation Parent travel survey Student survey
Equity Work to support safe, active, and healthy opportunities for children in all communities regardless of ability, socio-economic status, or race Equity lens/equal distribution of services
Engineering Changes to the built environment through engineering improvements SRTS offers funding for these improvements Signs and Lines Infrastructure Project Funding
Engineering Signs and Lines- pilot program Small (<$10K) project funding Helps eliminate simple barriers of walking and bicycling
Engineering Infrastructure Project Funding Program Large ($100K to $1M) project funding Sidewalk improvements, traffic calming, crossing improvements, on- and off-street bicycle & pedestrian facilities, traffic diversion, etc. New application: Massachusetts Project Intake Tool (MaPIT) Streamlines and simplifies application process Before After
Engineering Requires coordination with municipalities Municipal Co-Applicant 1st new application period opening this month Application period open for 45 days Schools partnered with SRTS are invited to apply Projects must be within 2 miles of a K-8 school Public and charter schools are eligible Before After
Summary Safe Routes to School works to increase safe and active transportation among Massachusetts students Provides skills for children to make healthy transportation decisions for their entire lives We are proud to contribute to the Commonwealth’s commitment to safety
Learn more about SRTS at www.mass.gov/safe-routes-to-school Thank you Learn more about SRTS at www.mass.gov/safe-routes-to-school Email: SRTS@dot.state.ma.us