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Safe Routes to School Grants
(State Funds)
2008 Call for Projects
PROJECT PROPOSALS DUE May 2, 2008
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The Washington State Legislature included $74 million to support pedestrian and bicycle safety projects such as pedestrian and bicycle paths, sidewalks, safe routes to school and transit. The Safe Routes to School Grants were established to address pedestrian and bicycle mobility and safety near schools. The following provides details for the Safe Routes to School program. A separate call is available for the Pedestrian & Bicycle Safety grant program.
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:
- Engineering Improvements
- Education and Encouragement Efforts, and
- Enforcement Efforts
All projects must be within two-miles of primary or middle schools (K-8).
Program Contacts
Region Local Program Engineers
or
Charlotte Claybrooke at 360-705-7302 or claybrc@wsdot.wa.gov
GRANT CRITERIA AND REQUIREMENTS
Examples of the 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: roundabouts, bulb-outs, speed humps, raised crossings, raised intersections, median refuges, narrowed traffic lanes, lane reductions, full- or half-street closures, automated speed enforcement and variable speed limits.
- Pedestrian and bicycle crossing improvements: crossings, 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), pedestrian and bicycle lighting and sight distance improvements.
- On-street bicycle facilities: new or upgraded bicycle lanes, widened outside lanes or roadway shoulders, geometric improvements, roadway realignment, traffic signs and pavement markings.
- Off-street bicycle and pedestrian facilities: exclusive multi-use bicycle and pedestrian trails and pathways that are separated from a roadway.
- Secure bicycle parking facilities: bicycle parking racks, bicycle lockers, designated areas with safety lighting and covered bicycle shelters.
(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/distribution of interactive pedestrian or bicycle safety video games (example: FHWA “Safer Journey,” National Safety Council “Step to Safety,” etc.).
- Events and activities such as: bicycle rodeo, Walk and Bike to School Day, school assemblies, walking school buses or bike trains, mileage clubs, etc.
- Walk or bike programs.
- Walk or bike audits.
(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.
Eligible applicants
All public agencies in Washington are eligible to apply.
Funding
A total of $11 million of state funds is available for the Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety and Safe Routes to School grant programs.
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
1. Grant recipients are required to report quarterly on the status of the project.
2. Grant recipients are required to evaluate the number of children biking and walking to school before and after the project is completed.
3. Grant recipients are required to complete a school walk route plan that includes the area where project improvements are completed.
4. Grant recipients shall comply with the new state cultural resource requirements outlined in Executive Order 05-05.
5. Grant recipients shall provide a one-page project design concept for approval prior to construction.
Applications
The application shall be submitted online, as a Microsoft Word document, or an Adobe Acrobat pdf file and include the following to be considered:
1. A completed Safe Routes to School Application Form.
Please do not include pictures, letters of support or other unsolicited supporting detail.
Submittal Process
Applications must either be sent on CD, or submitted on-line, or by e-mail (paper submittals will not be accepted). Applications must be received by midnight May 2, 2008.
Applications on CD may be submitted to the following address:
ATTN: Safe Routes to School
WSDOT Highways & Local Programs
310 Maple Park Ave SE
PO Box 47390
Olympia, WA 98504-7390
OR
Applications may be sent by e-mail to hlpgrants@wsdot.wa.gov
PROGRAM CONTACTS
Region Local Program Engineers
or
Charlotte Claybrooke at 360-705-7302 or claybrc@wsdot.wa.gov
GRANT EVALUATION
All proposals will be reviewed to ensure that they are complete and eligible for funding. The WSDOT Safe Routes to Schools Advisory Board (drawn from sponsoring agencies, local officials and advocacy groups) 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, 2008, to select projects for funding. Announcements are expected by June 2009.
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.
3 Pts = Moderate improvements.
1 Pt = Little or no improvement included in the project.
(2) Education and Encouragement Efforts – How well the project has or will teach about: bicycling, walking and/or driving safety skills, the health effects of walking and biking, the impact to the environment, 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 enforcement efforts of 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.
3 Pts = Enforcement efforts in the vicinity of the project post construction period only.
1 Pt = Little or no enforcement efforts included in the project.
(4) Implementation – Is there a demonstrated need for the proposed improvements and a strong partnership among local agencies that will ensure this project moves ahead on time and on budget?
5 Pts = Clear, committed multi-agency partnership with completion date between June 2009 and June 2011.
3 Pts = Multi-agency partnership with completion date between June 2011 and June 2012.
1 Pt = No established partnerships or partnerships to be established after receipt of grant with completion date after June 2012.
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