March 2007

Safe Routes to School E-News

Issue #15: March 2007

Safe Routes to School E-News is a monthly email newsletter published by the Safe Routes to School National Partnership, a growing network of more than 250 non-profit organizations, government agencies and professional groups that are working to set goals, share best practices, secure funding, and provide detailed policy input to implementing agencies for advancing the Safe Routes to School national movement.

To receive future issues of E-News, email kathy@saferoutespartnership.org.

In this issue:

1. SRTS National Partnership Announces State Selections
Nine key states and the District of Columbia selected; see full release.

2. Rescissions Do Not Apply to Safe Routes to School
However, Transportation Enhancements is affected; go here to take action.

3. FHWA’s National SRTS Task Force Meeting is April 19
See SRTS Task Force information.

4. How is Your State Doing on SRTS implementation?
Take action to make sure SRTS succeeds

5. SRTS National Partnership presents at many events
Watch for information about the first SRTS National Conference in Michigan

6. School Siting and Minimum Acreage Standards for Schools
"One size fits all" approach to school sites no longer recommended

7. CalTrans Report Supports SRTS
Analysis finds that the program has been successful in its goals; see full report.

8. Iowa SRTS Program Funds First Projects
97 were applications received; 21 are funded for $1.68 million

9. Virginia SRTS Program Reviewing First Applications
VDOT coordinates SRTS National Course with appearance from Governor Kaine

10. Michigan SRTS Program Update
SRTS funding application now available from www.saferoutesmichigan.org.

1. SRTS National Partnership Announces State Selections
Nine key states and the District of Columbia selected; see full release.

The Safe Routes to School (SRTS) National Partnership has selected nine key states and the District of Columbia to participate in the State Network project which will encourage children to walk and bicycle to and from school.

California, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, New York, Oklahoma, Texas, Virginia and the District of Columbia will join the Safe Routes to School State Network, a project that brings together state leaders in order to remove barriers to walking and bicycling to and from school. The SRTS State Network project is funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Bikes Belong Coalition. The Safe Routes to School National Partnership is also seeking additional matching funds for the project budget.

A primary goal of the project is to reach children at highest risk for obesity. The nine states and D.C. were selected based on both need and their capacity to support the program. The SRTS National Partnership considered the number and percentage of overweight and obese children within the state, as well as the number and percentage of minority children in low-income families. Other criteria included the state’s ability to leverage strategic partnership and make a national impact.

Read the full press release.

2. Rescissions Do Not Apply to Safe Routes to School
However, Transportation Enhancements is affected; go here to take action.

Good news for all of you who are working on Safe Routes to School and were concerned about the federal government’s recent call for ‘rescissions’ - the return of federal transportation dollars back to D.C. that are not yet spent or ‘obligated’ (read: committed). The rescission notice that FHWA issued to the State DOTs on March 19 does NOT apply to Safe Routes to School. The rescission applies only to funds apportioned under Chapter 1 of Title 23, United States Code, with a few exceptions. Safe Routes to School is apportioned under Section 1404 of SAFETEA-LU and therefore is not subject to the 2007 rescission. However, rescissions could come again, so we suggest that you work with your DOT to get your state’s SRTS dollars obligated. Spend it wisely, but spend it soon!

Please note, however, that the rescissions DO apply to Transportation Enhancements funds, which can be spent on projects that benefit children walking and bicycling to schools. We encourage you to send a message to your DOT to protect Transportation Enhancements. The Rails-to-Trails Conservancy has provided an overview on past rescissions with an easy way to take action today on their website. 1. Go to: www.railstotrails.org/index.html, 2. Choose the "URGENT:" link.

3. FHWA’s National SRTS Task Force Meeting is April 19
See SRTS Task Force information.

The National Safe Routes to School Task Force to the Secretary of Transportation has set their second meeting set for April 19, 2007, from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. The meeting is open to the public and will take place at the Holiday Inn Capitol, 550 C Street, SW, Washington, D.C.

The agenda for the second meeting will include discussion of strategies to advance SRTS programs nationwide and discussion of a draft outline for a report to the Secretary of Transportation. Public comments both written and oral will be taken at approximately 2:45 pm. Further information about the Task Force and a detailed agenda as it is developed can be found at http://www.saferoutesinfo.org/task_force/. Deb Hubsmith, Coordinator for the SRTS National Partnership serves on the Task Force.

For additional information, please contact Mr. Tim Arnade, the Designated Federal Official Safe Routes to School Program Manager, FHWA Office of Safety Programs, FHWA, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590,(202) 366-2205 or at Tim.Arnade@dot.gov.

4. How is Your State Doing on SRTS implementation?
Take action to make sure SRTS succeeds

Many people still have questions about how the $612 million in federal SRTS funds is accessed at the local level. Simply put, FHWA provides contract authority for funding to State Departments of Transportation, and every state develops its own process and application guidelines for Safe Routes to School (within the framework of the federal SRTS legislation).

So far about 30 states have released application guidelines for SRTS, and 16 states have awarded some funding for projects. We need to ramp up the effort to get projects on the ground in all 50 states, so we encourage you to learn more about what is happening in your state. Get involved, help to put projects on the ground, and help show the incredible demand for this important program that is improving mobility and safety while helping to address issues related to obesity, mobility and physical activity.

Links to the 30 state SRTS application guidelines that have been released can be found on our website. In addition, the National Center for SRTS is publishing informative "Program Status Reports" with charts and maps showing progress in each state.

Highlights include the fact that Michigan and Illinois just released their call for grant applications. Oklahoma just hired their Safe Routes to School Coordinator and North Carolina, Hawaii, D.C., and South Dakota still need to hire permanent SRTS Coordinators.

5. SRTS National Partnership presents at many events
Watch for information about the 1st SRTS National Conference in MI

The Safe Routes to School National Partnership has been busy presenting on the program at various conferences and meetings. Here’s a snap shot of what’s coming up:

  • On March 14, more than 100 people attended our presentation on SRTS in Diverse Communities at the League of American Bicyclists National Bike Summit.
     
  • Deb Hubsmith, coordinator for the Partnership will be presenting at the National Governor’s Association Healthy Communities Workshop on April 24 in Philadelphia.
     
  • Partnership Steering Committee members Risa Wilkerson, Sarah Strunk and Wendi Kallins will be presenting at the 30th Annual National Association for Health and Fitness Conference in Buena Park, California, April 26-28.
     
  • Deb Hubsmith will be presenting at the end of May for the Active Living Ambassadors program of the International City/County Management Association (ICMA).
     
  • Robert Ping, the Partnership’s State Network Manager will be presenting at the Active Living by Design’s grantee meeting in June.
     
  • The Partnership is working with the Michigan Fitness Foundation to organize the first National Safe Routes to School Conference in Dearborn, Michigan from November 5-7. Stay tuned for details and for a call for applications for presenters.

6. School Siting and Minimum Acreage Standards for Schools
"One size fits all" approach to school sites no longer recommended

To get a better picture of the role minimum acreage standards play in school siting, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency asked the Council of Educational Facility Planners International (CEFPI) to research state minimum acreage requirements in 2003. The study showed that 27 states have some form of minimum site size policy or regulation for schools, with a wide range of specified sizes. In many cases, this is resulting in schools being built on the fringes of communities, not within walking or bicycling distances for students attending the schools.

Since the study, however, many states are rethinking this approach. For example, South Carolina, Rhode Island, and Maine have eliminated minimum acreage requirements. In addition, the 2004 revision of CEFPI’s influential Guide for Planning Educational Facilities no longer contains minimum acreage recommendations for school sites. Recognizing that a "one size fits all" approach is dated and can work counter to a variety of goals, the new Guide encourages communities to analyze their needs in order to make appropriate siting decisions.

Maine now has mandated maximum site sizes. If a school district builds on a site exceeding the maximum, the state will not fund the purchase of the excess land; the school district will have to pay for it. Check out this complete listing of state policies governing school site size.

7. CalTrans Report Supports SRTS
Analysis finds that the program has been successful in its goals; see full report.

In 1999, California became the first state to pass legislation to initiate a Safe Routes to School program. A recent analysis produced by the California Department of Transportation (CalTrans) demonstrates the tremendous need for and effectiveness of the SRTS program and recommends additional funding. A few highlights from the complete 65-page CalTrans Report include:

  • A total of 570 SR2S projects have been funded over the six cycles of the program to date with the total costs of the projects in excess of $190 million. Only about one in five applications were able to be funded, showing the tremendous demand for the program.
     
  • The increases in walking and bicycling among children were often in the range of 20-200% overall.
     
  • The estimated safety benefit of the program ranged to as much as a 49% decrease in the collision rate among children.

8. Iowa SRTS Program Funds First Projects
97 applications received; 21 funded for $1.68 million

The Iowa Safe Routes to School Program recently awarded more than $1.68 million in funding for eleven non-infrastructure projects and ten infrastructure projects.

Kathy Ridnour, Iowa’s Safe Routes to School Program Coordinator, reported that 97 applications were submitted requesting a total of nearly $14 million. Requests for funding were received from a wide range of applicants including schools, school districts, cities, counties, councils of government, and a few non-profit organizations. The Iowa Safe Routes to School applications were reviewed and ranked by the program’s seven-member Safe Routes to School Advisory Committee. Recommendations were presented to the Iowa Transportation Commission, with the final selections announced in February.

Examples of the types of infrastructure improvements funded included sidewalk and intersection improvements, signals, and a highway underpass. Though several of the non-infrastructure projects funded SRTS studies or plans, there were are also three non-infrastructure projects with a statewide focus. These projects included developing education and encouragement programs, creating an on-line mapping and evaluation tool, and providing traffic engineering assistance to schools and communities.

The next deadline for applications is October 1, 2007 in which at least $1 million will be available for both infrastructure and non-infrastructure projects.

9. Virginia SRTS Program Reviewing First Applications
VDOT coordinates SRTS National Course with appearance from Governor Kaine

The inaugural grant cycle for the Virginia Safe Routes to School Program closed on December 31, 2006. Virginia’s Safe Routes to School Coordinator Jakob Helmboldt reported that VDOT received a total of 27 applications requesting funding for both non-infrastructure and infrastructure grants.

Ten non-infrastructure grant requests were received, and awards totaling $242,000 have been recommended for approval by the Secretary of Transportation and VDOT’s Commissioner. Seventeen infrastructure applications were received in the initial cycle, requesting a total of $5.2 million. Virginia’s SRTS Advisory Committee has recommended funding for nine proposed projects totaling $2.6 million. In keeping with VDOT’s commitment to comprehensive SRTS solutions, several infrastructure applications are being held pending receipt of supporting non-infrastructure plans.

Also noteworthy was the appearance of Governor Tim Kaine at VDOT’s presentation of the SRTS National Course and instructor training. VDOT coordinated delivery of the National Course to three schools and nearly 100 attendees who came from throughout the Commonwealth. Twelve new course instructors from around the US were trained, including four from Virginia. Governor Kaine’s presence and support of Virginia’s SRTS Program demonstrated the administration’s commitment to multi-modal transportation, particularly bike and pedestrian accommodations and safety.

For more information about the Virginia SRTS program, contact Virginia SRTS Coordinator Jakob Helmboldt at jakob.helmboldt@vdot.virginia.gov.

10. Michigan SRTS Program Update
SRTS funding application now available from www.saferoutesmichigan.org.

The big news in Michigan in March has been the completion and release of the Safe Routes to School funding application. Early approvals were given to schools that participated in the Michigan Safe Routes to School pilot project (those "piloting" the funding application process and materials). Now with the release of the official state SRTS application, all 160+ schools that have begun a Safe Routes to School initiative in Michigan are eligible to apply and can download the application.

The application criteria mirror the Michigan SR2S Handbook process, a process required as a prerequisite for funding. The process is: 1) build a representative, multi-disciplinary team; 2) complete parent and student surveys to learn what parents and students think, feel and do regarding walking and biking to school; 3) complete a walking audit of safety hazards on routes to and at school; and 4) complete an action plan reflective of survey and audit findings. Michigan SRTS training has been enhanced to include hands-on activities to prepare participants to complete the four-part process and more than 400 individuals have attended training to start and sustain successful SRTS initiatives.

Open Position Also in Michigan news, the Fitness Council of Jackson is seeking applications for Executive Director. The Council is a small Michigan non-profit organization promoting health through physical activity. Jackson is also one of 25 communities nationwide who are part of the Active Living by Design network (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation). Full job description available at www.fitnesscouncil.org. Please direct resumes and salary requirements to Fitness Council of Jackson, Search Committee, 225 N. Jackson St., Jackson, MI 49201 or email to info@fitnesscouncil.org by April 18, 2007.

Help Grow the Partnership!

Joining the Partnership is free. Please encourage other organizations, schools, businesses and government agencies to affiliate with the Safe Routes to School National Partnership at Bikes Belong.

Funding for the Safe Routes to School National Partnership has been generously provided by the Bikes Belong Coalition, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and partner affiliates.

For More Information Contact:
Deb Hubsmith, Coordinator
Safe Routes to School National Partnership
saferoutes@bikesbelong.org
www.saferoutespartnership.org
(415) 454-7430