Safe Routes to School – Better, Safer Walking and Bicycling Near Schools  

The Safe Routes to School Program (SRTS) was established in August 2005 as part of the most recent federal transportation reauthorization legislation (SAFETEA-LU). This law provides multi-year funding for the surface transportation programs that guide spending of federal gas tax revenue. This $612million/5 year program “empowers communities to make walking and bicycling to schools a safe and routine activity,” and helps to "facilitate the planning, development, and implementation of projects and activities that will improve safety and reduce traffic, fuel consumption and air pollution in the vicinity of schools". The SRTS program provides 100 percent reimbursement for infrastructure and non-infrastructure improvements, up to $250,000 and $75,000 respectively, per project.  Projects which encourage increased bicycle and pedestrian access to schools by children kindergarten through 8^th grade, within two miles of a school, may be eligible for reimbursement funding.

Eligible Projects:

• Planning, design and construction of projects that will improve the ability of students to walk and bicycle to school
• Sidewalk improvements
• Traffic-calming and speed-reduction improvements
• Pedestrian and bicycle crossing improvements
• On-street bicycle facilities
• Off-street bicycle and pedestrian facilities
• Traffic-diversion improvements within two miles of the school
• Public awareness campaigns and educational materials
• Traffic education and enforcement in the vicinity of the school
• Student sessions concerning bicycle and pedestrian safety, health and environment
• Training for volunteers and managers of SRTS programs

Local units of government and their departments, not just schools, may apply for project funding. The MPO must review and sign applications for  projects in our Indiana communities, prior to being sent to the Department of Transportation (INDOT). For projects in Henderson County, Kentucky it is optional to obtain comment from the MPO prior to sending applications to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC).

Please visit the SRTS webpage in your state for more information and to download an application:

For Indiana: www.in.gov/dot/div/programs/saferoutes.

For Kentucky: http://www.saferoutespartnership.org/state/4373/Kentucky#program

Also, a national SRTS information clearinghouse has been established; visit their website for additional information:

http://www.saferoutesinfo.org.

The Evansville MPO hopes to form strong partnerships with local agencies and individuals in bringing Safe Routes to School projects to fruition. Please contact us for assistance with any SRTS project ideas or proposals.