FEDERAL PROGRAM OUTLINE

What is Safe Routes? A Federal transportation program to …enable and encourage children, including those with disabilities, to walk and bicycle to school…

The 5 Es Engineering Education Enforcement Encouragement Evaluation

Safe Routes to School Program Goals 1.To enable and encourage children, including those with disabilities, to walk and bicycle to school

Program Goals 2.To make bicycling and walking to school a safer and more appealing transportation alternative, thereby encouraging a healthy and active lifestyle from an early age; and

Program Goals 3.To facilitate the planning, development, and implementation of projects and activities that will improve safety and reduce traffic, fuel consumption, and air pollution in the vicinity of schools.

Who is the program for? Any Public or Private school with any combination of K-8 enrollment.

Who Can Apply? Schools, both public and private School Districts Cities Counties State Agencies Regional Development Commissions Metropolitan Planning Organizations Public and non-profit entities working on behalf of a school(s) or school district

Funding Categories 70% infrastructure Consists of engineering and construction projects Examples: –C–Crosswalk improvements –S–Sidewalk completion and maintenance –S–Signing –B–Bike lanes

10% non-infrastructure Projects focused on; education, enforcement, and encouragement. Examples: Bike rodeo Walk and bike to school day Incentives Training and equipment for crosswalk guards

20% for either category or flex These funds may be spent for either infrastructure or non-infrastructure projects

Reimbursement SRTS funds are 100% reimbursable Reimbursements can be made incrementally. All costs submitted for reimbursement are subject to eligibility requirements. Any costs incurred prior to a projects authorization are not eligible for reimbursement.

Reimbursement SRTS grants are Title 23 funds and are distributed on a reimbursable basis. This means that the bills for the project must be paid up front and the receipts and/or invoices must be sent in to State Aid for reimbursement of project expenses.

EXAMPLES OF ELIGIBLE PROJECTS

Connecting Neighborhoods

Route Completion

Providing a Route

Making Routes Inviting

Traffic Calming

Bike Racks

Sponsorship of a Walk To School Day!

The classic Walking School Bus

Make Routes Safer Crosswalks- What the pedestrian sees: Make Crosswalks Safer! & what the vehicle sees at the same crosswalk

Some crosswalks look nice yet are still unsafe Crosswalks- What the pedestrian sees: & what the vehicle sees at the same crosswalk

A well marked crosswalk

Active Speed Monitor

MINNESOTAS SRTS PROGRAM

Minnesotas SRTS Funding Minnesota is expected to receive $8.3 million over the life of SAFETEA-LU (2009). 2005:$850, :$1,224, :$1,644, :$2,035, :$2,545,531.55

Minnesotas SRTS Development Development and oversight of the program is the responsibility of two internal committees. –The Working Group 12 Mn/DOT staff assist the coordinator in developing program content and procedures. –The Executive Committee 6 Mn/DOT senior staff Provide policy recommendations

Minnesotas SRTS Development Federal Guidance received Jan Application development Jan.–Apr. 2006

Minnesotas SRTS Development First solicitation May 6, 2006 ~ July 5, 2006 Infrastructure Program total $1.4 million Non-Infrastructure Program total $250,000

Minnesotas SRTS Partners Application is designed to ensure that key stakeholders are in agreement prior to submitting an application. Applications must clearly identify and have agreement from the school or school district and the roadway authority.

Minnesotas SRTS Partners Cities and Counties May apply for SRTS funds May partner with others Develop cost estimates for application Make Design Recommendations Sign Off on Construction Projects Liaison with DSAE

Sponsors for infrastructure projects Financial Support Similar to the Enhancement program. Act as the financial agent, fronting funds until reimbursed

Minnesotas SRTS Partners Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO) If your community is in: –East Grand Forks –St. Cloud –Rochester/Olmstead –The seven county metropolitan area –Moorhead –Duluth Please contact your MPO to let them know about your application so they may help you coordinate with existing plans.

Minnesotas SRTS 1 st Solicitation First solicitation outcomes: –M–Mn/DOT received 77 applications with requests totaling $8 million. –1–17 projects have been identified for funding totaling $1.7 million 12 Infrastructure; 5 non-infrastructure More projects in Greater MN; than Metro Award announcement September 2006

Lessons Learned –A–Application form is too long –S–Stronger requirements on how application should be submitted. –R–Revisit grant floors and ceilings

Next Steps Development of a statewide outreach program. Improvements to application form Development of measures for communities

Next Solicitation There will be another solicitation prior to the end of calendar year 2006 The funding available will be approximately $1.2 Million Opening of the new solicitation is based on the completion of a revised application All future solicitations will follow the Fall time line to coordinate with the STIP development

For additional information please visit our website: hhhh tttt tttt pppp :::: //// //// wwww wwww wwww.... dddd oooo tttt.... ssss tttt aaaa tttt eeee.... mmmm nnnn.... uuuu ssss //// ssss aaaa ffff eeee rrrr oooo uuuu tttt eeee ssss //// iiii nnnn dddd eeee xxxx.... hhhh tttt mmmm llllor contact Kristie Billiar, Safe Routes Coordinator at: kkkk rrrr iiii ssss tttt iiii eeee.... bbbb iiii llll llll iiii aaaa rrrr dddd oooo tttt.... ssss tttt aaaa tttt eeee.... mmmm nnnn.... uuuu ssss