Safe Routes to Schools Program Overview
The Virginia Department of Transportation's (VDOT) Safe Routes to School Program (SRTS) assists interested localities, schools and non-profit groups in the development of plans, activities, and infrastructure improvements to make bicycling and walking to school both safer and more appealing to children.
Purpose
The purposes of the program are based on federal legislation under the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users Act, (SAFETEA-LU).
They are:
To enable and encourage children, including those with disabilities, to walk and bicycle to school
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
- To facilitate the planning, development and implementation of projects and activities that reduce traffic and improve safety, fuel consumption and air quality in the vicinity of primary and middle schools (kindergarten through eighth grade)
SRTS Program Funding Awards
The VDOT SRTS program assists localities, schools, and non-profit organizations by funding SRTS programs (non-infrastructure) and safety improvement projects (infrastructure).
Funding awards are based on a competitive application process. Award recommendations are sent to the Secretary of Transportation and VDOT's commissioner for final award approval.
The VDOT SRTS program reimburses local sponsors of SRTS initiatives and projects. The awards do not require local matching funds.
Virginia’s portion of the SRTS program is approximately $13.2 million over five federal fiscal years (2005-2009) and is being administered by VDOT.
SRTS Programs (Non-Infrastructure)
Non-infrastructure awards assist in the development of documented SRTS plans and programs at schools with students in kindergarten through the eighth grade.
A SRTS plan defines the fundamental needs, issues, and impediments facing the school(s) in their attempt to increase the number of students who bike and walk to school.
It should include a description of existing conditions, strategies to increase participation in biking and walking to school, and the goals for a SRTS program.
A plan also spells out who will be involved in the SRTS effort and what steps are necessary to implement action-oriented solutions that increase biking and walking to school.
A SRTS program should be comprehensive and include:
Bicycle and pedestrian safety education
Activities that encourage students to bike and walk to school, such as a special “Walk to School Day”
Law enforcement targeted to address safety concerns for children walking and biking to school
A way to evaluate the impact of SRTS activities on student travel behavior
SRTS Projects (Infrastructure)
An approved SRTS plan needs be in place and documented for a sponsor to be eligible for safety improvement project funds.
Projects should augment strategies in the SRTS plan and reflect needs identified.
Projects are intended to provide infrastructure improvements within a two-mile radius of targeted schools.
Safety improvement project applications will be reviewed by a SRTS advisory committee, consisting of VDOT staff, members of stakeholder organizations, and other state agencies.
All applicants for safety improvements must be authorized to undertake a federal-aid project and to undertake the construction proposed.
Applications and Guidance Packet
Applications and program guidance will be available in the summer of 2008.
Approved 2007 SRTS programs and
projects
(99KB; PDF)
(98KB; PDF)
