Safe Routes to School

Overview

Safe Routes to School (SRTS) is a new program created by the federal transportation bill, SAFETEA-LU.  The Program's goal is to increase the number of children in grades K-8 who bicycle and walk to school.  The Program's enabling legislation guides how this will be implemented: 1) by increasing awareness; 2) developing locally-driven and supported programs; 3) improving bicycling and walking conditions near the qualifying schools; and 4) evaluating at the project and Program levels.  Benefits of the Program include: reduced congestion and increased safety near participating schools; reduced air pollution in route to and near participating schools; and increased physical activity of children.

Georgia SRTS Updates

• The Non-Infrastructure portion of the program (non-construction related) will be implemented through Georgia’s SRTS Resource Center.  The Request for Proposals (RFP) to obtain a firm/organization to run the Resource Center closed on May 30, 2008 and is currently in the evaluation phase. 

  This should put us on track to begin offering non-infrastructure services (i.e. education, encouragement, enforcement, planning, technical assistance, etc.) to schools by Fall 2008 and to begin the “Call for Projects” for infrastructure projects around the same time.

• The Infrastructure portion of the program, which consists of projects such as crosswalks, sidewalks, and traffic calming devices, will be implemented through an engineering consulting firm.  An RFQ for design services has been advertised, and the selection process is near completion. 

  The firm will be available to implement SRTS infrastructure projects that are selected as a result of the Fall 2008 “Call for Projects”.

The 5 Es

Safe Routes to School is a comprehensive program that includes the 5 Es:

1. Evaluation - Monitoring and researching outcomes and trends through the collection of data, including the collection of mode share before and after the program intervention(s)
2. Encouragement - Using events and activities to promote walking and bicycling
3. Education - Teaching the school community about the broad range of transportation choices, instructing them in important life-long safety skills and offering school-bound and school area driver safety campaigns
4. Engineering - Creating operational and physical improvements to the infrastructure surrounding schools that reduce speeds and establishing safer crosswalks, walkways, trails and bikeways
5. Enforcement - Partnering with local law enforcement to ensure drivers obey traffic laws, initiating community enforcement such as crossing guard programs and ensuring that policies are enforced

SRTS Newsletter

• Winter 2007 Newsletter

Videos & Public Announcements

• "Why Safe Routes to School?" Video
  (Created by the National Safe Routes to School Clearinghouse)
  WATCH THIS VIDEO NOW!
  
• Caminemos Seguros Video (Spanish Educational Video)
  (Created and produced by Metro Atlanta Safe Routes to School Project and the Dresden Elementary Safe Routes to School Mothers Club)
  WATCH THIS VIDEO NOW!


• Watch Commissioner Linnenkohl's Speech on International Walk to School Day, October 3, 2007
  Morris Brandon Elementary School
  WATCH THIS VIDEO NOW! (Size: 50MB)


• National Public Radio Program Encourages Kids to Bike, Walk to School

Georgia's Safe Routes to School Links

• Applications and Program Guidance
• Desired Outcomes
• Georgia State Bicycle and Pedestrian Program
• GA SRTS Guidebook
• Georgia's SRTS Projects
• Helpful Links
• Safe Routes to School FAQ's
• SRTS Advisory Committee
• Newsroom
• Training Materials and Resources

SRTS E-Mail List

Sign up here to be put on the SRTS E-mail List.

Contacts

For additional information on the Safe Routes to School Program, please contact the State SRTS Coordinator, by calling 404-631-1775. You may also send an email by clicking here.