New Federal Safe Routes to School Program

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New Federal Safe Routes to School Program

• Tim Arnade
• Program Manager
• Federal Highway Administration
• U.S. Department of Transportation

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Transportation Reauthorization Bill (Section 1404
SAFETEA-LU)

• Created new Federally-assisted 612 million
  program, spread over 5 years and 51 DOTs.
• Three main requirements of law
• Implement SRTS program nationwide
• Create Clearinghouse
• Establish Task Force

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Purpose of Program

• Enable and encourage children, to walk/bike to
  school.
• Make biking/walking to school safer and more
  appealing.

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Purpose of Program (cont.)

• Facilitate projects and activities in the
  vicinity of schools that will
• improve safety
• reduce traffic
• reduce air pollution
• reduce fuel consumption

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Broad SRTS Program Outcomes

• Increase pedestrian and bicycle safety around
  schools
• More children walking and biking to schools
• Reduce congestion around schools
• Improve childrens health
• Improve air quality and reduce fuel consumption
• Enhance community accessibility
• Improve partnerships

6
Program Implementation

• State DOT responsible for program
• State DOT must provide full-time coordinator
  (salary paid through infrastructure portion of
  SRTS program)

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How Much is Available?

• Funding Levels
• 54 million (FY2005)
• 100 million (FY2006)
• 125 million (FY2007)
• 150 million (FY2008)
• 183 million (FY2009)
• TOTAL 612 million
• See State-by-State breakdown at
  http//safety.fhwa.dot.gov/saferoutes/

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How are Funds Distributed?

• Apportionments based on school enrollments in
  elementary and middle schools.
• No State shall receive less than 1 million per
  year.
• FHWA receives 3 million per year to run program.

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Program Implementation

• Two funding categories
• Infrastructure Projects
• Non-Infrastructure Projects
• State DOT encouraged to establish competitive
  application process.
• Eligible grant recipients include
• State, local and regional agencies and
  non-profits.

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Eligible Projects Infrastructure (70 90 of
funds)

• Must be within 2 miles of school (K-8)
• Planning, design and construction
• Extensive list of eligible projects in Guidance
• Guidance also addresses ineligible uses

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Eligible Infrastructure Projects

• Sidewalk improvements.
• Traffic calming and speed reduction measures.
• Ped/bike crossing improvements.
• On-street bike facilities.
• Off-street ped/bike facilities.
• Bike parking facilities.
• Traffic diversion improvements.

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Eligible Activities Non-Infrastructure (10
30 funds)

• Education, Encouragement and Enforcement Programs
• Further specifics in Guidance

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Eligible Non-Infrastructure Activities

• Public awareness campaigns.
• Outreach to press and community leaders.
• Traffic education and enforcement.
• Student sessions on ped/bike safety, health, and
  environment.
• Funding for training, volunteers, and managers of
  SRTS Programs.

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Objectives of Program Structure

• Enable participation on a variety of levels
• Make the program accessible to diverse
  participants
• Promote comprehensive SRTS programs and
  activities
• Maximize impact of the funds

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Comprehensive Approach

• Engineering
• Education
• Enforcement
• Encouragement
• Evaluation

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Project Selection Criteria

• Applications should address BOTH infrastructure
  and non-infrastructure
• May show evidence that they are addressing any
  missing Es through other programs
• Criteria provided in Guidance
• Addresses the need to make the process fair for
  low income communities

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SRTS Clearinghouse

• Grant to national non-profit organization
• -Operate Clearinghouse
• -Develop information and educational programs
• -Provide technical assistance

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SRTS Task Force

• Shall be composed of leaders in health,
  transportation, and education.
• Study and develop strategy for advancing SRTS
  Programs nationwide.
• Will report to Congress

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Priorities and Target Dates

• Establishment of Coordinators Jan.1, 2006
• Program Guidance was issued Jan. 3, 2006
• Clearinghouse to be awarded in Spring 2006
• Task Force to be determined

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Thank you!

• Questions?
• Tim.Arnade_at_fhwa.dot.gov
• or
• 202-366-2205
• Web Address
• http//safety.fhwa.dot.gov/saferoutes/