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Center for Advancing Research in Transportation Emissions, Energy, and Health (CARTEEH)

A USDOT University Transportation Center

Safe Routes to School Programs

The implementation of Safe Routes to School programs aids in promoting walking and cycling to school by adjusting and improving infrastructure to allow easier and safer travel for students to get to school.1 In the United States, around 10-15% of rush hour morning traffic is caused by school commuting, which could be reduced by a Safe Routes to School program.

Considering this strategy will help achieve the goal of the following objectives

  • Less Contamination
  • Less Emissions
  • Less Traffic Noise
  • Connectivity and Inclusion
  • Healthy Destinations
  • Less Traffic Violence
  • Active Transportation
  • Green Space

Transportation lifecycle phases

This strategy is associated with the following transportation lifecycle phases:

  • Construction
  • End of Life
  • Maintenance
  • Material Selection
  • Operations
  • Policy and Planning
  • Project Development

Who's involved

  • Law enforcement
  • Local governments
  • Policymakers
  • School boards
  • Transit agencies
  • Vulnerable road users
The implementation of Safe Routes to School programs aids in promoting walking and cycling to school by adjusting and improving infrastructure to allow easier and safer travel for students to get to school.1 In the United States, around 10-15% of rush hour morning traffic is caused by school commuting, which could be reduced by a Safe Routes to School program.

How it Helps

Implementing Safe Routes to School programs improves children’s health, as well as lessens the degree of chronic illnesses.1 These programs can reduce transportation’s contribution to air and noise pollution by reducing the number of vehicles on the road and, instead, encouraging walking and biking to school. It also helps improve the safety of the school-goers since it helps minimize the risk of motor vehicle accidents.2

Implementing

Participation:

In order for a Safe Routes to School program to work, people in the community must come together to enact these plans in their city and neighborhood.3 Broad participation at the local level is extremely important for this strategy to be successful. Different communities will require different individuals and groups to be involved; for example, potential members of the coalition could include members of the school district, prominent community members and groups, as well as representatives from the local government.

Approach:

To begin implementing a Safe Routes to School program, the community must first hold a kickoff meeting that establishes the program’s purpose and goals.3 Next, the coalition should identify issues (such as key neighborhoods to focus on), develop potential solutions, secure funding, and act on a plan. Finally, the program’s results should be thoroughly evaluated, and any necessary changes should be made.

Examples

1) Texas Safe Routes to School Program Guidance by TxDOT

The Texas Department of Transportation offers an online manual that gives guidance and instructions on how to properly implement a Safe Routes to School program in Texas. It further clarifies the differences between an infrastructure program and a non-infrastructure program.

https://ftp.dot.state.tx.us/pub/txdot-info/library/pubs/cit/srts_instructions_111609.pdf

1. USDOT. (2015). Safe Routes to School Programs. https://www.transportation.gov/mission/health/Safe-Routes-to-School-Programs
2. National Center for Safe Routes to School. Safe Routes Info. https://www.saferoutesinfo.org/
3. National Center for Safe Routes to School. SRTS Guide: Steps to Creating a Safe Routes to School Program. http://guide.saferoutesinfo.org/steps/index.cfm