Safe Routes to School - Elise Bremer-Nei
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Elise Bremer-Nei, AICP/PP NJDOT Safe Routes to School Coordinator Expanding the Complete Streets Network with Safe Routes to School NJ Complete Streets Summit - October 21, 2013
Transcript of Safe Routes to School - Elise Bremer-Nei
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 US Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, unpublished data, 2000.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 [email protected]
Leigh Ann Von Hagen, AICP/PPSenior Research SpecialistNJ SRTS Resource CenterVoorhees Transportation [email protected]
Sean Meehan, [email protected] Trish Sanchez, [email protected] Catherine Bull, [email protected]
