The goals of the Safe Routes to School Program are to address pedestrian and bicycle mobility and safety near schools. The following provides details for the Safe Routes to School program.

Webinar

The Safe Routes to School Overview Webinar that was conducted on March 1st was recorded and is available here for you to download. In addition, the questions and answers log from the webinar is also available. If you have difficulty viewing the webinar or additional questions please contact Charlotte Claybrooke at 360-705-7302.

Purpose

The purpose of the Safe Routes to School program is to increase the number of children walking and biking to school safely. Eligible projects may include three elements:

1. Engineering Improvements
2. Education and Encouragement Activities and
3. Enforcement Efforts

All projects must be within two-miles of primary or middle schools (K-8).

Applications

The application shall be submitted online, as Microsoft Word documents or Adobe Acrobat pdf file and include the following to be considered:

1. A completed and signed Safe Routes to School Application Form.
2. Completed Student Travel Tally Forms for Target School(s).
3. A School Walk Route Map or Plan
4. A one-page project design concept or plan sheet, showing project location and design details.

Please do not include pictures, letters of support or other unsolicited supporting detail.

Submittal Process

Applications must be received by midnight May 4, 2012.
Applications must be submitted either by:

• Online Application Form (required attachments must be e-mailed)
  or
• E-mail with completed application as a PDF or Word Doc attached (paper submittals will not be accepted)
  Send to hlpgrants@wsdot.wa.gov

PROGRAM CONTACTS

Charlotte Claybrooke at 360-705-7302 or claybrc@wsdot.wa.gov
OR
Region Local Program Engineers

PROGRAM CRITERIA AND REQUIREMENTS

Eligible applicants

All public agencies in Washington are eligible to apply.
Proposed infrastructure projects must be in the local Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) or in progress for being added to the TIP and be able to comply with the general federal eligibility guidance.

Projects that include a construction element will be given priority
if they can be completed by June 2015.

Funding

The actual amount available for award is subject to change pending congressional action.  The federal program has guidelines that call for not less than 10 percent and not more than 30 percent of funding be used for non-infrastructure-related activities. The SRTS Program is a reimbursement program for cost incurred. It is not a “cash-up front” program. Costs incurred prior to WSDOT project approval are not eligible for reimbursement.

Match Requirement

While match is not a requirement, preference shall be given to projects that provide match. Projects are to be submitted as complete projects and fully funded.

Program Requirements

Agencies that are awarded funding must be prepared to comply with the following requirements as part of their project. 

1. Program recipients are required to report quarterly on the status of the project.
2. Program recipients are required to submit completed post project Student Travel Tally Forms for target school(s).
3. Grant recipients shall comply with the state cultural resource requirements outlined in Executive Order 05-05 and general federal eligibility guidance.

Examples of the Three Required Elements

(1) Engineering Improvements

Improvements that reduce potential pedestrian and bicycle conflicts with motor vehicle traffic; reduce traffic volume around schools; and/or establish safer and fully accessible crossings, walkways, trails or bikeways. Projects may include items such as:

• Sidewalk improvements: new sidewalks, sidewalk widening, sidewalk gap closures, sidewalk repairs, curbs, gutters and curb ramps. 
• Traffic calming and speed reduction improvements: bulb-outs, speed humps, raised crossings, raised intersections, median refuges, narrowed traffic lanes, lane reductions, roundabouts, full- or half-street closures, automated speed enforcement and variable speed limits.
• Pedestrian and bicycle crossing improvements: crosswalk markings, raised median refuges, raised crossings, traffic control devices (including new or upgraded traffic signals, pavement markings, traffic stripes, flashing beacons, bicycle-sensitive signal actuation devices, pedestrian countdown signals and pedestrian activated signal upgrades), and pedestrian and bicycle lighting.
• On-street bicycle facilities: new or upgraded bicycle lanes, seperated bike lanes, bicycle boulevard treatments, traffic signs and pavement markings.
• Off-street bicycle and pedestrian facilities: exclusive multi-use bicycle and pedestrian trails and pathways that are separated from the roadway.
• Secure bicycle parking facilities: bicycle parking racks, bicycle lockers, designated areas with safety lighting and covered bicycle shelters.
• School walk or bike route inventory of safety features and hazardous locations.

(2) Education and Encouragement Efforts

Teaching children about bicycling and walking safety skills, the health effects of walking and biking, the impact to the environment, the broad range of transportation choices and events and activities utilized to promote walking and biking to school safely. Projects may include items such as:

• Implementation of educational curricula in the classroom.
• Distribution of educational materials.
• Pedestrian safety field trips.
• Implementation of a walking school bus or bike train where students walk or bike to school in groups with adult supervision.
• Update and distribution of school walk route maps to students, parents and staff.
• Bicycle safety skills education classes.
• Celebration of Walk and/or Bike to School Days.
• Other events and activities such as: school assemblies, mileage clubs, etc.

(3) Enforcement Efforts

Ensuring traffic laws are obeyed (including enforcement of speeds, yielding to pedestrians in crossings and proper walking and bicycling behaviors) and initiating community enforcement activities. Projects may include items such as:

• Establish an adult and/or student crossing guard program.
• Additional law enforcement or equipment needed for enforcement activities.
• Pedestrian sting operations.
• Vehicle speed feedback signs.
• Neighborhood watch program.
• Photo enforcement.

APPLICATION REVIEW CRITERIA

All proposals will be reviewed to ensure that they are complete and eligible for funding. The WSDOT Safe Routes to Schools Advisory Board  will evaluate the proposals and make recommendations. A site visit will be conducted by WSDOT staff prior to finalizing the list of priorities. A prioritized list of projects will be submitted to the Governor’s office and the legislature by December 15, 2012, to select projects for funding. Award announcements are expected by June 2013.

The following criteria will be used to evaluate the project proposals. The ranking criteria are expressed numerically, with 5 being the highest and 1 being the lowest.

(1) Engineering Improvements

How well the project has or will: reduce potential pedestrian and bicycle conflicts with motor vehicle traffic; reduce traffic volume around schools; and/or establish safer and fully accessible crossings, walkways, trails or bikeways consistent with WSDOT Design Standards or the AASHTO “Guide for the Planning Design, and Operation of Pedestrian Facilities” or “Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities”?

5 Pts = Substantial long term solution based on identified deficiencies.
3 Pts = Moderate improvements based on identified deficiencies.
1 Pt = Little or no improvement included in the project.

(2) Education and Encouragement Efforts

How well the project has or will teach about the health and environmental benefits of walking and bicycling, bicycling, walking and/or driving safety skills, the broad range of transportation choices and provide events and activities utilized to promote walking and biking to school safely?

5 Pts = Substantial long term education and encouragement solutions such as policy changes or the adoption of curriculum that will continue after the project is complete.
3 Pts = Education and/or encouragement efforts in the vicinity of the project post construction period only.
1 Pt = Little or no education or encouragement included in the project.

(3) Enforcement Component

How well the project has or will address traffic safety and help to increase the number of children walking and biking to school safely?

5 Pts = Substantial long term enforcement solutions based on identified deficiencies.
3 Pts = Enforcement efforts in the vicinity of the project post construction period only, based on identified deficiencies.
1 Pt = Little or no enforcement efforts included in the project.

(4) Implementation

Is there a strong partnership among local agencies that will facilitate completion of this project on time and on budget?

5 Pts = Clear, committed multi-agency partnerships.
3 Pts = Minimal multi-agency partnerships.
1 Pt = No established partnerships or partnerships to be established after award notification.

(5) Need

Is there a high need or potential impact based on (1) pedestrian/bicycle collision history, (2) potential for VMT reduction (as determined by existing mode choice and the number of children that live with-in two miles of the target school(s)), and (3) the percentage of low-income children served by the school (as determined by the percentage of children receiving free or reduced cost meals).

5 Pts = All three categories of need are high.
3 Pts = At least two categories of need are high.
1 Pt = At least one category of need is high.