Elise Bremer-Nei, AICP/PPNJDOT Safe Routes to School Coordinator

Expanding the Complete Streets Network with Safe Routes to School

NJ Complete Streets Summit - October 21, 2013

History of Safe Routes to School

Mid-1970s Odense, Denmark

Worst child pedestrian crash rate in Europe Created a network of non-motorized paths Established slow speed areas, added traffic calming In 10 years, child casualties fell by 80% SRTS now implemented in 65 Danish towns

1995 – Great Britain

Sustrans initiated 10 SRTS projects Bike lanes, traffic calming, raised crossings After 2 years, bicycle use tripled Child cycling injuries fell by 28% Child pedestrian crashes fell 70%

North America

Canada Go for Green (Toronto)

Way to Go (British Columbia)

The Bronx

California

Florida

History of Safe Routes to School

Marin County, California

Walk or Wheel Wednesdays Frequent Rider contests Walking School Buses Huge increase in

Number of children walking to school Number of children biking to School Number of carpools

Why We’re Doing This Work

Source: J. Pucher and R. Buehler, City Cycling (2012)

The prevalence of overweight children has tripled in the United States.

There has been a sharp increase in cases of type 2 diabetes in children.

Asthma rates in children have increased 160% in the past 15 years.

Pedestrian injuries are the 3rd leading cause of unintentional injury-related death among children in the U.S.

Children’s Health Risks Related to Inactivity, Air Quality, and Traffic Safety

Incomplete School Zones

The Philadelphia Daily News

Incomplete School Zones

Incomplete School Routes

Incomplete School Routes

Irvington Newark

Incomplete School Routes

Trenton Camden

Incomplete School Sites

Travel to school can be up to 25% of morning traffic (Parisi Associates, 2003)

Fewer kids are biking and walking. More parents are driving.

2001: 15% walked to school

1969: 48% walked to school

(EPA, 2003)

Far more children are driven to school than walk or bicycle

51%

14%

31%

3% 1%

Auto

School Bus

Walk

Bicycle

Other

Calculations from the1995 Nationwide Personal Transportation Survey. US Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, unpublished data, 2000.

(school trips of 1 mile or less)

Safe Routes to School programs are intended to …

… increase physical activity… improve unsafe walking and biking conditions… improve poor air quality by reducing vehicle emissions

Main Goals of the Safe Routes to School Program

1. Where it’s safe, get kids walking and biking.

2. WHERE IT’S NOT SAFE, MAKE IT SAFE.

Trenton Maplewood

2005 U.S. Transportation BillFirst Federal SRTS Program

$612 Million divided among states based

upon student enrollment

$15 Million to New Jersey (2005 to 2009)

100% Federally Funded

Eligible use of funds:

Infrastructure related projects

Non-Infrastructure projects

FY 2005 $1 million

FY 2006 $2.4 million

FY 2007 $3.3 million

FY 2008 $4.1 million

FY 2009 $5.1 million

FY 2010 $5.1 million

FY 2011 $5.6 million

FY 2012 $4.7 million

TOTAL $31.3 million

Federal SRTS Funding for NJ

Brick Township

Brick Twp

129 grants

$19.26 million

projects in 98 towns

200+ schools

in all 21 counties

$3 million in statewide programs

4 Rounds of SRTS Grants in NJ

Engineering projects

Create safer conditions for walking and bicycling

Can influence the way people behave

Westfield

Elmer

Lambertville

2012 NJ SRTS Infrastructure Grants

Projects include installation of: ADA compliant sidewalks, bike paths, striping, signage, lighting, signals, traffic calming improvements, etc.

Example Project Highlights:

Egg Harbor City Sidewalk and bikeway to connect ped bridge to school

Bergenfield Extension of Bergenfield Bikeway System

Boonton Lighted crosswalks, flashing crosswalk signs

Chatham Borough Permanent radar display, speed tables

Morristown Raised crosswalks, bulb-outs

NJDOT wants to see: Partnerships/Agreements Comprehensive approach School Travel Plans

Extra points for: Urban Aid Communities Good record on past grants Complete Streets Policy Demonstrated commitment

2014 SRTS Infrastructure Grants

Haddonfield

Enforcement programs

Increase awareness of pedestrians and bicyclists Improve driver behavior Help children follow traffic rules

Educational programs

Impart safety skills Create safety awareness Foster life-long safety habits

Include parents, neighbors

and other drivers

Pemberton

Camden

Encouragement programs

Increase popularity of walking and bicycling Are an easy way to start SRTS programs Emphasize fun and community

New Brunswick

International Walk to School Day

Maplewood

Montclair

GarfieldChesterfield

National Bike to School Day

WhartonMontclair

Fairhaven

Medford Lakes

Walking School Bus Programs

Van Derveer Elementary School

Somerville, NJ

RIDEWISE TMA

Researched the safest walking routes 5 route maps with timelines Groups led by adults Kick-off events

New Jersey SRTS Resource Center

VTC supports NJDOT through research, training and outreach to maximize the effectiveness of the New Jersey

Safe Routes to School program.

Supportive Walk and Bike to School Policies

Can I Bicycle to School?

A Review of School Bicycling Policies in Middlesex Co.

SRTS & School Busing Cuts

Crossing Guard Training Needs in New Jersey

The Effects of Parental Attitudes on School Travel

Safe Routes to School Research

Crossing Guard Program

Focus Group Research

Model Municipal Policy

Training Manual

Pilot Training

A partnership with NJ’s Transportation Management Associations to provide

outreach, program and technical assistance to local communities.

2011 - Expanded Resource Center

NJ’s TMAs

8 Regional SRTS Coordinators

Direct technical assistance to communities

Assistance with SRTS programs and events

Assistance with monitoring and evaluation

Assistance with grant funding applications

Assistance with School Travel or SRTS Action Plans

Statewide TMA School Outreach

2012354 schools

201196 schools

Regional Coordinator Outreach

In 2012, TMAs contacted:

237 municipalities

76 disadvantaged communities

354 schools

TMAs conducted:

240 bicycle and pedestrian events

167 safety education events

Jersey City, NJ

Regional Coordinator Outreach

Most Popular Forms of

Assistance:

Walk to School days

Walking school buses

Educational safety

presentations/assemblies

Encouragement programs –

“Golden Sneaker Awards”

Bike Rodeos

School Travel Plans

Pemberton, NJ

School Travel Plans/Action Plans

Existing conditions Existing attitudes Problem areas Potential solutions Involved parties Schedule Funding options Maps, photos

October Walk & Bike to School Month

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 20120

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

1135 39

47

67 6757

7883

134

New Jersey Registered Walk & Bike to School Events

2003-2012

Netcong, NJ

NJ SRTS Recognition Program

58 Total SRTS Recognition Program Winners for May 2013

21 Silver Level Winners

9 Bronze Level Winners

15 First Step Level Winners

13 Gold Level Winners

NJ SRTS Resource Center website

saferoutesnj.org

SRTS and Complete Streets

Safe Routes to School Programs are a good way to prioritize your Complete Streets efforts.

Jamesburg

Safer routes to school are safer routes for everyone.

Elise Bremer-Nei, AICP/PPSafe Routes to School CoordinatorNJ Department of Transportation elise.bremer-nei@dot.state.nj.us

Leigh Ann Von Hagen, AICP/PPSenior Research SpecialistNJ SRTS Resource CenterVoorhees Transportation Centerlavh@ejb.rutgers.edu

Sean Meehan, smeehan@ejb.rutgers.edu Trish Sanchez, trish.sanchez@ejb.rutgers.edu Catherine Bull, catherin.bull@ejb.rutgers.edu