SRTS Guidebook

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Table of Contents

Introduction and Overview 2

Sponsor Responsibilities for federal funds 4

Regulatory Requirements 6

Application Guidance 8

Terms and Definitions 8

Project Eligibility 12

Schedule and Timeline for Project Development 19

Appendix 1: Sponsor Responsibilities 22

Appendix 2: NYSDOT Role and Responsibility 24

Appendix 3: Guidance for Cultural Resources and Endangered Species 25

Appendix 4: Infrastructure Application Requirements 27

Appendix 5: Infrastructure Application Worksheet Part 1 30

Appendix 6: Non-Infrastructure only Proposal/Worksheet Part 1 31

Appendix 7: Application Worksheet Part 2 32

Appendix 8: Infrastructure Application Checklist 33

Appendix 9: Non-Infrastructure only Application Checklist 35

Application Coversheet 36


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This guidebook is designed to give sponsors a general understanding of the SafeRoutes to School Program, how the New York State Department of Transportation(NYSDOT) administers this federal program and how prospective Sponsors canparticipate.

Prospective Sponsors are encouraged to read this guidebook, become familiar withprogram and federal requirements and evaluate whether this program fits their projects.Funding availability does not mean this program is right for every project. All fundedprojects must advance in accordance with Federal and State laws, regulations andprocedural requirements which are highlighted in this guidebook, with references to theofficial sources of information.

NYSDOT is accepting applications for the SRTS program in two ways:1) For infrastructure proposals: the Sponsor must be a municipality, and can

apply for both infrastructure and non-infrastructure funds in the same application.A school district can be an applicant (see terms and definitions) in partnershipand in support of this application, but the municipality remains the primary pointof contact and administers the project.

Applications for infrastructure proposals are due Friday, October 5, 2012.

2) For non-infrastructure funds only: School districts, municipalities (includingsub-agencies within a municipality (health, police, public works, etc)), stateagencies, and not-for-profit organizations with proposals for Education,Encouragement, Enforcement, and Evaluation activities may apply for fundingand will be the primary point of contact, and administer the project.

Applications for non-infrastructure only proposals are due Friday, October 5, 2012.

This Guidebook provides guidance and application materials for both project types.


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Introduction and Overview

The Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Program is a Federal-aid transportationreimbursement program created in 2005 through the passage of the Safe, Accountable,Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) and isadministered by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Office of Safety. The SafeRoutes to School Program is 100 percent federally funded with no local contribution ormatch required for eligible projects and activities.

New Yorks SRTS Program is administered by NYSDOT through a competitiveapplication program. Sponsors for SRTS funds must be in compliance with Federalregulations and guidance requirements when using federal funds for SRTS projects.

The SRTS Program promotes safe, healthy alternatives to riding the bus or being drivento school. The program emphasis is to encourage and enable children, including thosewith disabilities, to walk and bicycle to school; make walking and bicycling safe andmore appealing; and facilitate the planning, development and implementation of projectswhich will improve safety and reduce vehicular traffic, fuel consumption and air pollutionwithin a two-mile vicinity of primary and middle schools (K-8).

The SRTS Program provides the opportunity to implement projects which reflect abroad spectrum of NYSDOT policies related to promoting livable and walkablecommunities and increasing community quality of life which has a direct impact on theeconomic attractiveness of New York States communities. SRTS promotes theintegration of transportation and land use through the collaborative planning processmandated for the program involving state, regional and local stakeholders. The SRTSprogram will also provide diversity of mobility choices through bicycle and pedestrian-friendly design, resulting in projects that enhance urban revitalization efforts.

Coordination between infrastructure and non-infrastructure activities is encouraged toachieve successful outcomes. Research has shown the most successful way toincrease bicycling and walking is through a comprehensive approach which includes the5 Es (Engineering, Education, Enforcement, Encouragement and Evaluation).Sponsors for SRTS funds are strongly encouraged to develop innovative andcomprehensive projects that may involve actions which, if implemented, have highpotential to promote a healthy environment for school children, to reduce air pollutionnear schools, reduce excessive travel speeds, reduce traffic volume or reduce theoccurrence and/or severity of (potential) accidents on local streets.

The SRTS program highly encourages infrastructure project sponsors to consider

education, encouragement and enforcement activities as well (a degree of evaluation isrequired for all SRTS funded projects). Applications submitted for non-infrastructureactivities are not required to consider infrastructure components, and vice versa.

SRTS infrastructure projects will be rated based on need, as noted in the applicationrequirements noted in Appendix 4.


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Each region of NYSDOT has a Safe Routes to School Program Coordinator1, who isavailable to answer questions related to the SRTS program and to provide guidance toprospective Sponsors.

The Regional Local Project Liaison (RLPL)2 is the contact for municipalities in eachregional office to provide assistance in the advancement of federal and/or state-aid localprojects and is the liaison between the sponsor and Main Office and/or FHWA. TheRLPL may request the project Sponsor or designer to submit information requested bythe Main Office or FHWA, directly to the Main Office or FHWA.

1https://www.dot.ny.gov/divisions/operating/opdm/local-programs-bureau/srts/contact-us2https://www.dot.ny.gov/divisions/operating/opdm/local-programs-bureau/locally-administered-federal-aid-projects/lafap-contact-information


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Sponsor Responsibilities for federal fundsAre you prepared to be a federally funded project sponsor?

The SRTS program is one of many federal-aid programs NYSDOT administers for theFHWA. Requirements common to all federal-aid projects are shown in NYSDOTsProcedures for Locally Administered Federal-Aid Projects Manual (PLAFAP Manual),located on the NYSDOT web site at www.dot.ny.gov/plafap. The PLAFAP Manualprovides uniform policy and procedures for Federal-aid programs, including the StatesSRTS program. NYSDOT, in coordination and consultation with FHWA and localMetropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs), also provides guidance in the form of theapplication guidebook and regional informational workshops to assist Sponsors inplanning, designing, constructing, and maintaining their SRTS engineering projects.Sponsors are required to attend a workshop in advance of applying for funds. TheFHWA Safe Routes to School site3 also provides guidance for the appropriate use ofSRTS funds.

SRTS, like all federally funded programs, is a reimbursement program, and Sponsorsmust first instance the cost and financing of projects before seeking reimbursementof the Safe Routes to School project funds.

If a proposed Sponsor has never implemented a Federal-aid project, or does soinfrequently, please review the processes with the RLPL in the NYSDOT Regional4Office prior to beginning any implementation. The sponsor may wish to seek theadministrative services of another agency which is more familiar with the Federal-aidprocess and procedure details.

In the normal progression of these projects it is not unusual for costs to change. TheSRTS Sponsor has an obligation to conduct due diligence to perform projectinitiation/scoping and some preliminary engineering at their own expense, to developtheir SRTS proposal prior to submitting their application for review and evaluation. Onceawarded, SRTS funds are capped at the award level. It is essential sponsors try toanticipate aspects of the project which may result in changes and cost increases whenpreparing cost estimates for the project application.

ALL SRTS infrastructure projects must be designed according to the NYSDOT HighwayDesign Manual (HDM) standards. All pedestrian facilities must meet design standardsfor the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) compliance listed in the HDM, specificallyChapter 18.6.1. The Highway Design Manual is available under Publications andDownloads at www.dot.ny.gov. All projects must use NYSDOT Specificationsaccording to PLAFAP, Chapter 9.

All SRTS projects should progress through development and implementation within fiveyears of project award. This includes execution of the State Local Agreement (see

3http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/saferoutes/guidance/4https://www.dot.ny.gov/divisions/operating/opdm/local-programs-bureau/locally-administered-federal-aid-projects/lafap-contact-information


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Chapter 4 of the PLAFAP Manual), design and construction. Progress must be madeand reported regularly to NYSDOT, and federal funds can be rescinded if the Sponsorfails to do so. If the project is rescinded or withdrawn, any funds reimbursed to thatpoint, even for eligible activities, must be repaid.

Sponsors and applicants (see Terms and Definitions under Application Guidance inthis Guidebook for a description of each role) are jointly responsible for compliance withthe rules and regulations which apply to all FHWA projects. Projects funded with SRTSfunds must maintain the intended purpose of the project and must remain accessible tothe general public or be targeted to a broad segment of the general public for the usefullife of the project. Failure to do so may result in the repayment of all or a portion of thefederal funds received for the project. The Sponsor must be willing and able to assumeresponsibility for all aspects of an approved SRTS project, including future maintenanceof the constructed facility, as noted in 23 USC Section 116. In accordance with 28 CFRSection 35.133, once constructed, public agencies must maintain walkways in anaccessible condition for all pedestrians, including persons with disabilities, with onlyisolated or temporary interruptions in accessibility. This maintenance obligation includesreasonable snow removal efforts5. Additional information is available on the FHWAwebsite6.

Sponsors are also required to conduct public outreach, and successful projectapplications will provide proof of public support and partnership with the qualifying K-8school (eligible infrastructure projects must be within a 2 mile radius of a school withchildren in grades Kindergarten through 8th grade). The school (or district) and Sponsorwill work together to prepare the project application and provide support to identifyhazards on existing or future travel routes for students who would be able to walk andbicycle to school. A letter or agreement between the Sponsor and school should identifya commitment to frequent activities promoting bicycling and walking to school andsupportive school policies. Additionally, the evaluation and data collection are typically

performed at the school level. Proof of support must be included in your application thatthe qualifying school understands this role and agrees to assist.

5 http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/preservation/082708.cfm6 http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/civilrights/programs/ada_sect504qa.htm#q31


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Regulatory Requirements

SRTS projects are required to comply with a variety of Federal and State requirementsin order to proceed. Below is a list of key requirements which are the responsibility ofthe project Sponsor. Be aware, this list is not inclusive, but is meant to provide generalguidance of the key requirements.

ADA: Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) includes allinfrastructure requirements and making program materials available in alternativeformats. The ADA law applies to all federal, state and local public facilitiesregardless of funding source.

TIP: SRTS funds must be programmed in a metropolitan or regional planningorganizations Transportation Improvement Program (TIP); for rural areas thatare not within an MPO area, inclusion on the Statewide TransportationImprovement Program (STIP) is required.

MUTCD: Signing, signal and pavement marking projects must comply withFederal and State standards as outlined in the National Manual on UniformTraffic Control Devices (NMUTCD).

NEPA: The primary law governing the environmental protection process is theNational Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), asamended. NEPA establishes protection of the environment as a national priorityand mandates environmental impacts must be considered before any federalaction likely to significantly affect the environment is undertaken. The process forcomplying with NEPA and federal transportation statutes is defined in the jointFederal Highway Administration (FHWA) / Federal Transit Administration (FTA)Environmental Impact and Related Procedures (23 C.F.R. 771).

The State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) regulations: 6NYCRR Part 617, apply to all projects using NYSDOT SRTS funds.

Endangered Species Act: Requires measures to avoid harm to endangered

species.(See Appendix 3 for guidance) Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (Cultural Resources):

Provides procedures for protection, rehabilitation, restoration and reconstructionof historic sites and objects significant in American architecture, archaeology andculture. Requires archaeological clearances. (See Appendix 3 for guidance)

Smart Growth Public Infrastructure Policy Act: The Act requires Stateinfrastructure agencies, including NYSDOT, to ensure public infrastructureprojects undergo a consistency evaluation and attestation using 10 Smart Growthcriteria set out in the Act as a way to minimize the unnecessary cost of sprawldevelopment.

Brooks Act, Public Law 92-582: Requires agencies to use a qualification-based

process for selecting engineering and design consultants. Title 23: SRTS program projects must comply with Davis-Bacon prevailing wage

rates, competitive bidding, and other contracting requirements, even for projectsnot located within the right-of-way of a federal highway.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO): Prohibits discrimination in awardingcontracts and employment.


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Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program: Federal Aid contractsinclude goals for contractors to use DBE firms for part of the project work. A DBEis a woman-owned or minority-owned business that has been certified for workon federal contracts.

Common Rule, 49 CFR 18: Establishes uniform administrative rules for Federalgrants, cooperative agreements and sub-awards to State, local and Indian tribalgovernments, including competitive bidding and Buy America requirements.

Uniform Act: Federal Aid project Sponsors must be in compliance with theUniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of1970, the Uniform Act.


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Application Guidance

Terms and Definitions

Sponsor (Infrastructure)The sponsoris an appropriate local and/or regional municipal agency (county, city, townor village) that completes the project application and is willing and able to assumeresponsibility for all aspects of an approved SRTS project, and is authorized anddesignated under its agreement with NYSDOT to design, certify right-of-way, advertise,open bids, award, construct and administer contracts for federal-aid projects.

A Sponsor assumes a significant financial responsibility when it undertakes a Federal-aid project. The Sponsor must be able to first instance all costs, and provide paymentreceipts prior to requesting reimbursement of the federal aid from NYSDOT. NYSDOTwill enter into a formal, legal agreement (State-Local Agreement) with the sponsorofeach project selected for SRTS funding.

Applicant (Infrastructure)The applicantmay be the Sponsor, or a school district that wants to partner with theSponsor and is willing and able to support the aspects of an approved SRTS project.The school (or district) should work with the Sponsor to prepare the project applicationand provide support to identify hazards on existing or future travel routes for studentswho would be able to walk and bicycle to school. A letter or agreement between theSponsor and Applicant should identify a commitment to frequent activities promotingbicycling and walking to school and supportive school policies. The evaluation and datacollection are typically performed and completed at the school level. Proof of supportmust be included in your application that the qualifying school understands this role andagrees to assist.School districts with policies that prohibit walking and/or bicycling to school will not beeligible to participate in the NYSDOT SRTS Program. As a result, school districts with

policies that encourage students to walk and bicycle to school will be more successful interms of meeting the SRTS Programs purpose, versus a policy that requires the busingof all students, effectively discouraging children to walk or bicycle to school. However, ifthe school district is willing to revise the policy with the infrastructure improvementsidentified in the application, documentation to that effect should be included with thesponsors application. School districts are required to submit a copy of their policies tothe municipal project Sponsor to be available for review and/or audit by NYSDOT andFHWA. Do not submit policies with the application.

Sponsor/Applicant (Non-Infrastructure)The guidance set forth in this document limiting the entities who may be Sponsors and

Applicants applies to infrastructure proposals. As an exception, for applications for thenon-infrastructure only solicitation, NYSDOT will allow a non-municipal Sponsor.Please keep in mind, however, that Infrastructure applications submitted with a non-municipality as the Sponsor will be disqualified and will not be reviewed forconsideration. The Sponsor of a non-infrastructure project, regardless of the entity, willbe responsible for entering into a contract with NYSDOT, paying project costs in the first


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instance prior to seeking reimbursement, comply with all federal regulations, andmaintain contact with NYSDOT for project oversight.

Public InvolvementPublic involvement is required by law and regulations, and is a key component of theproject development process. It is recommended that both Municipalities and SchoolDistricts participate in a combined public informational meeting to ensure there issupport for the proposed project. Public information meetings and/or public hearingsprovide a forum through which citizens have input in the planning process.Public involvement documentation should include support to ensure a commitment tothe SRTS program and individual program success. The application should identify:program leadership, a commitment to frequent activities promoting bicycling andwalking to school, supportive school policies, and parent group engagement.The requirement for public participation and documenting support during preparation ofthe application is in addition to public participation required during the preliminarydesign phase. Documentation of public participation during design should be included inthe Design Report.

Project ScopeThe scope should describe the nature of a project (type, scale, major features, etc.),identifying the existing conditions, needs, objectives, and design. If a sponsor/applicantis proposing to perform work on a State Highway, they should contact their NYSDOTRegional Planning Office for clearance and coordination. NYSDOT may have upcomingprojects in the area where the Sponsor is proposing a SRTS project, and efforts may becoordinated.

Eligible ExpensesTo be eligible for funds under the SRTS Program, the proposed Engineering(infrastructure) project must be located within two miles of a primary or middle school

(Grades K 8); within a municipal right-of-way; benefit the public interest through theprovision of public access and use; meet eligibility requirements for a NEPA Class IICategorical Exclusion; and meet design standards according to the NYSDOT HighwayDesign Manual, including NYSDOT Standard Specifications.

Cost EstimateA detailed cost estimate should be provided with the project application. SRTS projectsmust conform to federal and state requirements, which can affect the cost and timelinesof SRTS projects, and should be considered. If you are not familiar with how these rulesaffect project costs, contact the Regional NYSDOT SRTS Coordinator or RLPL. Costestimates should be thorough and include itemized cost breakdowns, preliminary

engineering, construction and construction inspection, and support.

Preliminary EngineeringThis includes design and development costs, including mapping, surveying, refiningproject scope, preparing and reviewing plans. Include realistic costs for consultant work


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and a review of their work. The estimate should include costs for environmentaldocumentation, reviews and permit acquisition.

Right-of-WayExpenses for right-of-way acquisition and utility relocations are ineligible forreimbursement for the SRTS Program, and these costs should not be included in thefunding request. All work (including work necessary for construction and areas neededfor placing equipment during construction) must be performed within a publicly ownedright-of-way. Proof of Right-of-Way ownership, including any surveys and clearancecertificates should be included with the application. The Sponsor must have a legalagreement with owners of adjacent public properties if the project is to extend beyondROW owned or controlled by the Sponsor. The Sponsor will be required to provideaccurate description of the location and extent of property boundaries. Programinfrastructure funds cannot be used for acquisition of right-of-way, relocation of public orprivate utilities or remediation of federal or state wetlands. Sponsors should be familiarwith the requirements of the Uniform Act. Free training is available on-line, provided bythe National Highway Institute7.

Student/Parent SurveyProject Sponsors are required to collect data for their SRTS programs. The NationalCenter for Safe Routes to School (NCSRTS) has developed a set of standardized datacollection forms and on-line data tools intended to help local and state SRTS Programsmeasure and understand results. There are two forms with instructions; the In-ClassStudent Tally Form, and Parent Survey Form. The forms and further guidance on SRTSprogram evaluation are available on the web at: www.saferoutesinfo.org/data/.

Application CriteriaThe SRTS Program Application Worksheet (Appendix 5) will be used to identifyhazardous conditions that inhibit students from safely walking and bicycling to school.

In order to identify whether students walking to and from school using the most directwalking route will traverse unsafe and potentially hazardous conditions, the Safe Routesto School worksheet and application will guide Sponsors in evaluating the locations.

5 EsFHWA recommends that SRTS efforts in the United States incorporate directly orindirectly five components, often referred to as the 5 Es. The 5 Es are:

x Engineering (Infrastructure) Create operational and physical improvements tothe infrastructure surrounding schools that reduce speeds and potential conflictswith motor vehicle traffic, and establish safer and fully accessible crossings,

walkways, trails and bikeways.x Education (non-infrastructure) Teach children about the broad range of

transportation choices, instructing them in important lifelong bicycling and

7 http://www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov/training/course_detail.aspx?num=FHWA-NHI-141045&cat=t&num=141


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walking safety skills, and launching driver safety campaigns in the vicinity ofschools.

x Enforcement (non-infrastructure) Partner with local law enforcement to ensuretraffic laws are obeyed in the vicinity of schools (this includes enforcement ofspeeds, yielding to pedestrians in crossings, and proper walking and bicyclingbehaviors), and initiating community enforcement such as crossing guardprograms.

x Encouragement (non-infrastructure) Use events and activities to promotewalking and bicycling.

x Evaluation (non-infrastructure) Monitor and document outcomes and trendsthrough the collection of data, including the collection of data before and after theintervention(s). Evaluation is a required aspect of all SRTS projects.


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Project Eligibility

SRTS Project Scope and Funding

Projects eligible for SRTS funding must meet the requirements of the Five Es, whichinclude Engineering, Education, Enforcement, Encouragement and Evaluation activities.Some level of evaluation is required for all SRTS projects. Sample qualifying projectelements are listed below, but are not inclusive.

Engineering (Infrastructure)Engineering efforts include projects that reduce potential pedestrian and bicycleconflicts with motor vehicle traffic; reduce traffic volume around schools; and/orestablish safer and fully accessible crossings, walkways, trails or bikeways. Amountsapportioned under this section may be used for the planning, design, construction, andconstruction inspection of infrastructure-related projects that will substantially improvethe ability of students to walk and bicycle to school.

Projects may include:x pavement markings, and signing (including in-road signs);x pedestrian and bicycle crossing improvements;x crossing median refuge islands;x raised crossings that do not require a new or modified closed drainage system;

traffic control devices (including new or upgraded traffic signals, flashingbeacons, bicycle sensitive signal actuation devices, pedestrian countdownsignals, and pedestrian activated signal upgrades);

x pedestrian and bicycle lighting;x sidewalk improvements, such as new sidewalks, sidewalk widening, sidewalk

gap closures, sidewalk repairs, curbs, gutters and curb ramps that do not require

a new or modified closed drainage system;x on-street bicycle facilities, including new or upgraded bicycle lanes (that do not

require a new or modified closed drainage system or right-of-way acquisition),traffic signs and pavement markings;

x off-street bicycle and pedestrian facilities, including exclusive multiuse bicycleand pedestrian trails and pathways that are separated from a roadway;

x secure bicycle parking facilities, bicycle parking racks, bicycle lockers,designated areas with safety lighting and covered bicycle shelters;

x traffic calming and speed reduction improvements, roundabouts, bulb-outs,speed humps, raised crossings, raised intersections, median refuge islands,narrowed traffic lanes, lane reductions (that do not require a new or modified

closed drainage system or right-of-way acquisition), full- or half-street closures.

To be eligible for funds under the SRTS Program, the proposed Engineering(infrastructure) project must:

A. Be located within two miles of a primary or middle school (Grades K 8);


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B. Be located within a municipal right-of-way (State, County, Town, City,Village);

C. Benefit the public interest through the provision of public access and use;D. Meet eligibility requirements for a NEPA Class II Categorical Exclusion;E. Meet design standards according to the NYSDOT Highway Design Manual;F. Mitigate the walking and/or bicycling safety hazard identified in the project

application;

As part of the project application, the sponsor must demonstrate how the proposedproject satisfies each of the eligibility requirements listed above. The project then will beevaluated based on the information in the application, and a final eligibility determinationwill be made.

Engineering Design:Costs for completing the Plans, Specifications, and Estimate package (PS&E)are eligible for reimbursement. Sponsors are required to use the NYSDOTHighway Design Manual (HDM) and NYSDOT Standard Specifications todesign and construct SRTS projects. Sponsors should follow the PS&E formatshown in Chapter 21 of the HDM.Sponsors have three options for engineering design work for approved SRTSinfrastructure projects:

Option 1. Municipalities may use their own employed staff (professionalengineers and/or licensed professional staff), if available. They are responsiblefor preparation of the Design Approval Document, preparation and provision ofa complete set of final Plans, Specifications and Estimate (PS&E) package forinclusion in contract bid documents, and completion of the NEPA process.These documents will be reviewed and approved by NYSDOT.

Option 2. Sponsors may procure a consultant (in accordance with Chapter 6of the PLAFAP) firm listed on the Local Design Service Agreement availablethrough their County Highway Superintendent. Firms listed on the Local DesignService Agreement meet FHWA requirements for procurement of engineeringservices. Sponsors should budget a minimum of 35% - 45% of the requestedinfrastructure amount for Consultant Design Engineering services, to includethe preparation of the Design Approval Document, preparation and provision ofa complete set of final Plans, Specifications and Estimate (PS&E) package forinclusion in contract bid documents, and completion of the NEPA process.These documents will be reviewed and approved by NYSDOT.

Option 3. Sponsors may choose to request design services through theRegional Design Group (if Regional staff resources permit) or NYSDOT MainOffice Design Services Bureau. Guidance is provided on the SRTS website8(under Applications/Guidebook) for providing a reliable estimate for thesecosts. A separate Project Identification Number (PIN) will be established and

8https://www.dot.ny.gov/divisions/operating/opdm/local-programs-bureau/srts/applications


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NYSDOT will request FHWA reimbursement for these services directly. Thefunds for these services are included in the Sponsors total requested SRTSfunds and count toward the maximum funding request.

Costs for Construction Inspection ServicesSponsors should include Construction Inspection (CI) costs in the detailedbudget submission (these costs are typically about 15% of the projectsconstruction cost). Sponsors may use their own qualified staff for CI, aconsultant using the Locally Driven Selection Arrangement (LDSA), or byconsultant procurement. However, the use of a consultant for qualifiedconstruction inspection services must meet Federal Requirements. TheSponsor is required to follow the procurement process listed in the PLAFAP,Chapter 6, Consultant Procurement and Administration. The following CIactivities are eligible for reimbursement (as well as those listed in Chapter 15 ofthe PLAFAP):

x Supervision and inspection of construction activities;x Taking measurements and preparing pay estimates.

Education (non-infrastructure)Education efforts include teaching children and adults about bicycling and walkingsafety skills, the health effects of walking and bicycling, the impact to the environment,the broad range of transportation choices and events and activities to promote walkingand bicycling to school safely.

Projects may include:x brochures providing a menu of engineering and non-engineering safety

measures to consider for urban, suburban and rural center schools (as part of theeducation process);

x implementation of educational curriculum in the classroom;x distribution of education materials;x pedestrian and bicycle safety field trips;x implementation/distribution of interactive pedestrian or bicycle safety video

games (e.g.: FHWA Safer Journey, National Safety Council Step to Safety,etc.);

x events and activities such as a bicycle rodeo, Walk and Bike to School Day,school assemblies, walking school buses or bike trains, mileage clubs;

x walk or bike safety programs;x walk and bike audits.

Enforcement (non-infrastructure)Enforcement efforts include ensuring traffic laws are obeyed (including enforcement ofspeeds, yielding to pedestrians in crossings and proper walking and bicyclingbehaviors) and initiating community enforcement activities.

Projects may include:x an adult and/or student crossing guard program;


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x additional law enforcement or equipment needed for enforcement;x pedestrian sting operations;x vehicle speed feedback signs;x neighborhood watch programs;x school safety patrol program.

Encouragement (non-infrastructure)Encouragement efforts are activities that encourage walking and bicycling to school.

Projects may include:x promotion of walking and bicycling activities to encourage participation;x walk to school day activities;x complementary activities with Education initiatives.

Evaluation (non-infrastructure)Ongoing review and evaluation activities associated with SRTS implemented projectsare vital for the continual improvement of the Federal Highway Administration program

(and for the study and development of a strategy for advancing SRTS programsnationwide, as required by Section 1404 of the SAFETEA-LU, specifically Public law109-59, Title I, Subtitle D, Section 1404). FHWA is required to report to Congress on theprogress of the SRTS Program from each state and, therefore, requests that statesgather and provide the following information on the expenditure of these funds.

Projects should include:x evaluation of safety benefits understanding safety outcomes provides

information about how SRTS activities reduce fatalities and injuries, as well asreduce risk associated with walking and bicycling to school;

x evaluation of behavioral changes understanding the effect of the program on

the number of students who walk and bicycle, versus arrive/depart from schoolvia other modes of transportation, provides information about how SRTSactivities affect behavior of students and motorists;

x states (and applicants) may choose to evaluate programs in terms of the numberof students and/or schools reached through the program, measurement ofstudent health, air quality, congestion and other metrics noted or implied by thelegislative purposes of the program and improvements to the built environmentthat benefit the ability to walk and bicycle to and from schools (i.e., the number ofnew facilities, miles of sidewalks, etc.).

Visit the National Center for Safe Routes to School website9 for information on how tosubmit your data.

NYSDOT requires sponsors for all SRTS projects to provide a baseline evaluation of thewalking and bicycling to school patterns prior to implementing a project, and again at theend to show how the SRTS project impacted those patterns.

9 http://www.saferoutesinfo.org/data-central


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Scope and Adjustments

All SRTS projects are expected to be advanced at the same scope for which they wererated, ranked, andapproved. All proposed modifications to the scope of a project mustbe approved by NYSDOT. It is important to carefully review and identify projectdefinition, needs and objectives early on. An effective project plan must include a pre-determined scope, realistic schedule and accurate project costs.

Reasonable considerations for project scope modifications are the exception, and notthe rule, but may be considered if unforeseen obstacles arise.

Unreasonable considerations for project scope modifications include:

o The Sponsor desires to do something different;o Significant project cost increases that are due to an inadequate cost

estimate at the SRTS funding application stage of development (morethan 20% and/or a substantial scope reduction is proposed);

o Significant elements are removed from the project.

Sponsors may be denied reimbursement, or be expected to repay any federal fundsexpended on a project should the scope vary significantly from the original andapproved scope. All SRTS funds are capped at the awarded amount and Sponsors willbe required to pay the difference for any cost overruns. Careful project scoping andaccurate, detailed budgets are key to the success of a federally funded project.

NEPA ClassificationAll projects using SRTS funds must meet the requirements for a Categorical Exclusionunder 23 CFR 771(Environmental Impact and Related Procedures). A Categorical

Exclusion (CE) means the project encompasses a category of actions which do notindividually or cumulatively have a significant impact on the human environment, andtherefore, neither an Environmental Assessment (EA) nor an Environmental ImpactStatement (EIS) are required. Sponsors should visit the FHWA Environmental Reviewwebsite10 and the PLAFAP, Chapter 7 for additional information about theenvironmental analysis.

Public SupportIt is beneficial for community sentiment to be thoroughly researched prior to completingthe application. The SRTS Sponsor has an obligation to understand the level ofcommunity support for a walking and bicycling program in the area considered for the

project application. Working together with the school being served by the project, theSponsor should document public outreach activities undertaken.Public involvement is required by law and regulations, and is a key component of theproject development process. It is recommended that both Municipalities and SchoolDistricts participate in a combined public informational meeting to ensure there is

10http://environment.fhwa.dot.gov/projdev/docuce.asp


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support for the proposed project. Public information meetings and/or public hearingsprovide a forum through which citizens have input in the planning process.Public involvement documentation should include support to ensure a commitment tothe SRTS program and program success. The application should identify: programleadership, a commitment to frequent activities promoting bicycling and walking toschool, supportive school policies, and parent group engagement.The requirement for public participation during preparation of the application should nottake the place of public participation required during the preliminary design phase.Documentation of public participation during design should be included in the DesignReport.

Project LocationSRTS funds are not available for infrastructure projects on school grounds, unless thefacilities are municipally owned and maintained. If schools currently do not havebicycle/pedestrian facilities, schools may build them as a voluntary match to connectwith and support the proposed SRTS infrastructure project (see application criteria Bonus Points).

As mentioned in the Sponsor responsibility section, projects funded with SRTS fundsmust maintain the intended purpose of the project and must remain accessible to thegeneral public or be targeted to a broad segment of the general public for the useful lifeof the project.The Sponsor must have a legal agreement with owners of adjacent public properties ifthe project is to extend beyond ROW owned or controlled by the Sponsor. The Sponsorwill be required to provide accurate description of the location and extent of propertyboundaries, which must be within two miles of a primary or middle school (grades K-8).Schools with grades that extend higher than grade 8, but include grades within K-8, areeligible to receive infrastructure improvements.

Right of WayInfrastructure project funds may only be expended on projects within the municipallyowned Right of Way, which may include projects on private land which have publicaccess easements. Proof of Right-of-Way ownership, including any surveys andclearance certificates should be included with the application. Acceptable documentsinclude:

x A copy of a survey stamped by a NYS licensed land surveyor showing the publiclands.

x A highway boundary line/public school boundary on a plan stamped by a NYSlicensed land surveyor.

x Record plans for the highway or school showing the property boundaries.

x A copy of the tax maps where all work will be 3 or more away from the publicproperty boundary line.

Project SizeThe minimum award is $50,000; maximum award is $500,000 per proposed project forinfrastructure activities. The maximum project award for non-infrastructure projects is$150,000. The SRTS program will favor projects that increase safety and access for


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children in grades K 8 to walk or bicycle between home and school. Proposals may beable to realize efficiencies if schools, school districts, or municipalities bundle theirprojects and activities into one combined application.

Project CostsSRTS funds should supplement current funding streams that support walking andbicycling transportation. SRTS funds cannot be used to match other federal funds, andfurther, no match is required for SRTS funds. SRTS funds are 100 percent federallyreimbursable for eligible activities.Competitive applications will be well-developed, comprehensive proposals withconsideration given to the 5 Es, and should include routes that students currently use,or can be expected to use, to travel to and from school, using high impact-low costsolutions.In the normal progression of these projects it is not unusual for costs to change. TheSRTS Sponsor has an obligation to conduct due diligence to perform projectinitiation/scoping and some preliminary engineering at their own expense to developtheir SRTS proposal prior to submitting their application for review and evaluation. Onceawarded, SRTS funds are capped at the award level. It is essential sponsors try toanticipate aspects of the project that may result in changes and cost increases whenpreparing cost estimates for the project application.

Ineligible costsAny costs incurred prior to application approval, State-Local Agreement approval, andfederal authorization, are ineligible for reimbursement. Additionally, any costs in excessof the awarded amount are the responsibility of the sponsor. SRTS funds are capped atthe award amount, and therefore it is important for applicants to provide accurate costestimates based on when the project will be constructed.Program funds cannot not be used for acquisition of right-of-way, relocation of public orprivate utilities, or remediation of federal or state wetlands.

SRTS funds may not be used for routine maintenance (sweeping, snow and iceremoval, vegetation removal) or on-going costs (crossing guard program, lawenforcement salaries).

Project ReviewA project selection committee will be established in each NYSDOT Region, comprisedof NYSDOT and MPO staff, as well as other stakeholders who do not have a directinterest in any of the project applications (for example, if the Regional Department ofHealth (DOH) submits an application for funds in the NYSDOT Region 5, Buffalo office,they cannot be a part of the NYSDOT Region 5 selection committee, but it would notpreclude a DOH representative in NYSDOT Region 1, Albany office from participating in

the review of the Region 1 projects).Projects will be scored based on the conditions and hazards identified in the application,coupled with how well the proposed solution mitigates those hazards; the accuracy ofthe proposed cost estimate and timeline for completion; the sponsors experience withfederal aid; the support and partnership from the school(s) identified in the application;and how well the project meets the intent of the Safe Routes to School Program.


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Schedule and Timeline for Project Development

Step 1: NYSDOT solicits project applications through NYSDOT Regional and/orMPO Informational meetings, workshops and mailings, and anannouncement will be placed on the NYSDOT Web site.11

If a project is not ready to be funded in a reasonable timeframe (becauseadequate planning has not been completed, for example) sponsors shouldwait until a future solicitation to apply for funding.

Step 2: Define the Project and complete the application worksheet.

Step 3: Project Scoping: School districts and municipalities will work together todevelop appropriate solutions to the conditions.

Step 4: Develop Project Cost Estimates; the sponsor will prepare a thorough andrealistic cost estimate for the project.

Step 5: Develop the SRTS Action Plan, which is ajoint School District andMunicipality collaboration and should provide information about the 5 Esfor the project.

Step 6: Public Involvement: The Sponsor and Applicant will jointly present theSRTS Action plan for public review, comments, etc. and documentmeeting minutes.

Step 7: Sponsor prepares application. Detailed instructions for preparing a projectapplication are provided in the SRTS Infrastructure Project Application.

Step 8: Applications are submitted to the appropriate NYSDOT Regional SafeRoutes to School Coordinator12.

Step 9: Each application will be reviewed to determine project eligibility. Eligibilitydeterminations will be made by the New York State Department ofTransportation in consultation with the Federal Highway Administration(FHWA).

Sponsors of projects determined to be ineligible will be notified so thatthey can pursue funding through other potential sources.

Projects which meet minimum eligibility requirements will be progressedthrough the remaining steps of the process.

11 http://www.dot.ny.gov/safe-routes-to-school12

https://www.dot.ny.gov/divisions/operating/opdm/local-programs-bureau/srts/contact-us


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Step 10: Upon successful determination of eligibility, each application will beevaluated, ranked and prioritized by the NYSDOT/MPO project selectioncommittee using rating criteria.

Step 11: The NYSDOT Regional Office will send prioritized summaries of eachrecommended application to the NYSDOT Main Office.

Step 12: The NYSDOT Main Office Local Programs Bureau (LPB) will review eachproject summary and make selection recommendations to the NYSDOTCommissioner of Transportation for final approval.

Step 13: Regional Directors, or their representative, will notify all sponsors ofdecisions via letter. Sponsors of awarded projects have 5 years from thedate of this letter to complete the approved project.

Step 14: The approved projects will be placed on the Statewide TransportationImprovement Program (STIP) by NYSDOT. Unless SRTS funds are put onthe STIP in a block, projects in urbanized areas first will need to be on theTIP of the appropriate metropolitan planning organization (MPO). In ruralareas, placement of selected project(s) on the STIP will be accomplishedby the appropriate NYSDOT Regional office. This is a prerequisite toacquire federal funding.

Step 15: SRTS Project sponsors will receive project agreements from NYSDOTRegional Local Program Liaisons (RLPLs).

Step 16: Sponsors return locally executed agreement to NYSDOT Regional Officeswithin a timely manner.

Step 17: NYSDOT executes agreement and forwards to the NYS Comptrollers andAttorney Generals Offices for official state execution.

Step 18: NYSDOT seeks FHWA project authorization and funding approval. Thisstep identifies the original federal approval date and starts the clock forprojects to be completed within the Federal time limits.

Step 19: NYSDOT Regional office forwards copy of fully-executed agreements toSRTS project Sponsors.

Step 20: NYSDOT SRTS Coordinators schedule workshops with SRTS project

Sponsors to develop a Project Management Plan (PMP).

Step 21: Sponsor will then be eligible for reimbursement and allowed to complete:

a. Sponsor may start project design process if the Sponsor isusing their own staff or starts the procurement process for


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design services by soliciting firms from the Regional LocalDesign List; or, if using NYSDOT Design Services Bureau(DSB), notify NYSDOT DSB that design may begin;

b. NEPA/SEQR process;c. ROW Certification process; andd. Required SRTS Pre Evaluation Forms;

Step 22: Sponsor submits design report to NYSDOT Regional Office for review andapproval within a timely manner.

Step 23: Sponsor obtains State Highway Work Permit for project elements on StateHighways, if applicable.

Step 24: Right-of-Way Clearance Certificate to be submitted by Sponsor afterproject design and before project letting and/or force account work.

Step 25: NYSDOT Regional Real Estate Officer reviews/approves ROW ClearanceCertificate.

Step 26: NYSDOT to request Construction Phase Authorization from FHWA.

Step 27: Sponsor begins project letting process and/or force account work begins.

While the FHWA has an active role of supporting project eligibility determinations andwill have the final say, the responsibility for developing project selection andimplementation processes rests primarily with the States. In New York, the responsibilityfor soliciting proposals, evaluating, ranking and prioritizing applications rests jointlybetween the NYSDOT Main Office, NYSDOT regional offices and Metropolitan PlanningOrganizations (MPOs).


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Appendix 1: Sponsor Responsibilities

The sponsor is responsible for:

x Planning and implementing SRTS project activities.x

Compliance with the rules and regulations that apply to all FHWA projects asoutlined in the NYSDOTs Procedures for Locally Administered Federal-AidProjects Manual (PLAFAP). Non-compliance with these procedures will result inthe loss of federal funds for the project.

x Entering into a State-Local Agreement and following procedures outlined in thePLAFAP13.

x All public involvement, planning, programming, environmental investigation,design, construction, construction inspection and maintenance of the project onits local transportation system. The Sponsor must ensure its staff members,consultants, contractors and SRTS Applicant comply with all applicable Federaland State laws, regulations, and procedures in developing and constructing the

locally administered federal-aid SRTS project.x Compliance with the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA)

regulations, 6 NYCRR Part 617, applicable to all projects. The Sponsor, as leadagency, is responsible for compliance and for making the final SEQRAdetermination.

x Compliance with National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) during thepreliminary design phase. Compliance with NEPA and federal transportationstatutes is defined in the joint Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) / FederalTransit Administration (FTA) Environmental Impact and Related Procedures (23C.F.R. 771).

x Development of the Project Management Plan (PMP) The PMP is a

documented plan for implementing a SRTS project and is expected to serve asthe primary communication tool between NYSDOT and the Sponsor. TheNYSDOT RLPL will assist with the development of this plan, which will ensurethat the Sponsor is aware of all production requirements and has properly andadequately planned for full compliance (see PLAFAP Chapter 2 for additionalinformation).

x Development of the Construction Management Plan (CMP) The CMP can beappended to the PMP and details how the construction contract will beadministered at the time of construction. The CMP will provide NYSDOT andothers with an understanding of how the Sponsor plans to actively manage,monitor and progress the project (see PLAFAP Chapter 12 for additional

information).x All project costs incurred, whether anticipated or not in their own resolution or

specified in agreements with NYSDOT or other contributing agencies. TheSponsor will be liable for all project costs which may subsequently be determinedto be ineligible for reimbursement by FHWA and/or NYSDOT.

13 http://www.dot.ny.gov/plafap


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x Paying project expenses first before applying to NYSDOT for reimbursement ofthe federal aid eligible share.

x Advancing the project through development and implementation in a reasonabletime frame, with progress reported regularly to the Regional SRTS Coordinator.NYSDOT may rescind its approval of any project not meeting these expectations.


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Appendix 2: NYSDOT Role and Responsibility

NYSDOT is responsible to the FHWA for the successful administration andimplementation of Federal-aid programs and projects, for which NYSDOT may delegatecertain responsibilities to local public agencies. NYSDOT retains an oversight role whenfederally-aided projects are implemented by Sponsors.

NYSDOT is responsible for ensuring activities delegated to Sponsors are completed inconformance with Federal and State requirements. The Procedures for Locally

Administered Federal-Aid Projects Manual (PLAFAP) has been prepared to aid projectsponsors in New York State (www.dot.ny.gov/plafap).

The FHWA authorizes funds once NYSDOT and the Sponsor identify fund sources forthe project, and demonstrate a commitment to progress the project according to Federalrules and regulations. Sponsors demonstrate this commitment by executing the State-Local Agreement (SLA) with an appropriate Resolution affirming their commitment toprogress the project. Reimbursements to a Sponsor cannot be made until FHWAauthorization has been obtained and until the appropriate State-Local Agreement hasbeen executed. The State-Local Agreement is an agreement between the State andproject Sponsor. These agreements are the means by which the State reimburses theSponsor for all Federally-aided Locally Administered transportation projects.

NYSDOT is responsible for the State Highway System, any requests to enter NYSDOTright-of-way to perform work or other functions require the completion and submission ofa Highway Work Permit Application. The NYSDOT Regional Office is responsible forissuing Highway Work Permits for all work to be performed on state highway right-of-way. Any Safe Routes to School project application proposing work on a State Highwaymust have approval from the NYSDOT Regional Office, and the use of NYS highway

right-of-way must be carried out and completed in accordance with the terms andconditions of a highway work permit issued by the NYSDOT Commissioner ofTransportation or his duly assigned agent, in accordance with the New York StateHighway Law, Article 3; Section 52. This includes sidewalk installations andmaintenance, and intersection improvements.

NYSDOT is responsible for the concurrence with NEPA Class II Categorical Exclusions.


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Appendix 3: Guidance for Cultural Resources and Endangered Species

At the start of each sidewalk project, Sponsors should consult with the NYSDOTRegional office about documentation required for Cultural Resources and EndangeredSpecies, which is usually included in the Design Approval Document. The applicationprocess occurs before the environmental issues are fully documented, therefore,Sponsors should make sure that the environmental documentation is made part of thepermanent project record.

CULTURAL RESOURCES

Cultural Resource Process: Cultural resources screenings must satisfy Section 106 requirements. Most

sidewalk replacement projects will not affect cultural resources. In-kindreplacement of existing sidewalk is exempted from further consideration.

For a new sidewalk to be exempt from further consideration, there must bedocumentation of No Historic Properties Identified. This means that:

9 There are no buildings or structures within the project limits AND9 There is no potential for archaeological resources within the project limits

due to documented prior ground disturbance. If there are buildings or structures more than 50 years old, and there is no

documentation of prior ground disturbance, a Cultural Resources Survey may beneeded. In this case, consult with the Regional Cultural Resources Coordinator(CRC). The CRC will follow the Departments current procedures to assess theneed for a Cultural Resources Survey.

ENDANGERED SPECIESEndangered Species Process:

Federal Endangered and Threatened Species Process (Section 7): For federallyfunded projects, which have federally listed species identified for the county, ahabitat assessment must be conducted to determine if suitable habitat is present.In most cases, for this type of project, suitable habitat for the species doesntexist in the project area, and a No Effect determination request needs to bemade to FHWA.If suitable habitat is found, an effect determination assessment will have to beprepared and the rest of the Section 7 process followed.

State Endangered and Threatened Species Process: For all projects, if the NewYork Natural Heritage Program documented an occurrence of a state listedspecies in the vicinity of the project, a habitat assessment must be conducted to

determine if suitable habitat is present. In most cases, for this type of project,suitable habitat is not present, and the no habitat finding should be documented.If suitable habitat is found, and it will be disturbed in any way, NYSDEC must becontacted to request a determination of the likelihood of take, and mitigationmeasures and a permit from DEC may be necessary.


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Endangered Species Office Checklist:1. Check the Federal Endangered and Threatened List14, by NYS county:2. Check for New York State protected species, using GIS files or the New York

Natural Heritage Program (NYNHP) GIS viewer.Note: Access to the NYNHP viewer is limited and requires an account. Most DSBlandscape architects can access the viewer and information.

3. If any species are identified, a habitat assessment must be completed to see ifsuitable habitat exists for that species. DSB/Regional environmental staff can beconsulted to identify suitable habitat, and NYSDEC can be consulted, ifnecessary.

Endangered Species Field Checklist:1. Identify vegetation (trees/shrubs) which will be impacted by the project.2. In Indiana Bat counties, identify, photograph and measure the diameter of trees

of particular concern, including shagbark hickory and large trees with cavities,crevices, etc, which may require removal.

14http://www.fws.gov/northeast/nyfo/es/CountyLists/CountySelect.htm


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Appendix 4: Infrastructure Application Requirements

The following procedures must be followed to identify the project need.

The School District and Municipal Sponsor should jointly identify hazards present in theroutes children may use to walk or bicycle to school, and specify the geographicboundaries comprising the proposed project area.

Identify the conditions in the project area, such as highways without sidewalks orshoulders; highway intersections; and railroad grade crossings. This will allow NYSDOTto review the documented hazards to rank Safe Routes to School proposals.

Applicants/Sponsors should identify proposed solutions for the identified conditionswhich will make the walking and/or bicycling route safer. Applications will receive pointsbased on the proposed solutions identified to mitigate the conditions identified in theapplication worksheet. Only include evaluations of locations which have proposedsolutions. Low-cost, high-impact and comprehensive solutions should be considered.

The School District and Municipal Sponsor should jointly provide an opportunity forpublic participation during the application and project planning process to provideinformation about the project, and proposed solutions (in the application) and a forumthrough which citizens have input in the planning process. Public outreach is requiredfor Federal SRTS funds. The requirement for public participation during preparation ofthe application should not take the place of public participation required during thepreliminary design phase. Documentation of public participation during design should beincluded in the Final Design Report. However, the application should includedocumentation of public participation and support for the project.

The worksheet in Appendix 5 will help applicants collect and organize the informationneeded to complete the application.

1) Highways without sidewalks or adequate shoulders.

A sidewalk is defined as the portion of a street between the curb lines, or the laterallines of a roadway, and the adjacent property lines, intended for the use of pedestrians.It may be paved or unpaved.

A road shoulder is defined as the portion of a highway contiguous with the roadway.Generally, this is the relatively flat area between the outer edge of the roadway with nocurb and the point where the earth begins sloping either upward or downward, intendedfor use by stopped vehicles and for emergency services. It may be paved or unpaved. Ashoulder with a width less than five feet is considered a narrow shoulder.

For the purpose of this program, a shoulder will be considered to exist if it is visible bymeans of pavement marking delineation (i.e., a white edge line) or if the pavementseams or joints make it appear that a shoulder (usually less than the width of a travellane) is present.


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With this type of hazard, a student must be walking either on a narrow shoulder (< 5) orin the roadway. If a usable sidewalk exists, then the student is expected to use it unlessthe sidewalk is closed to the public by order of the responsible municipality. The lengthof the highway section without sidewalks where children walk on the roadway or on ashoulder within five feet of the roadway is to be measured by any normally acceptedmethod (i.e., use of measuring wheel, measuring tape or scale the distance from amap). When evaluating a subdivision or neighborhood, the school district may use theclosest residence to the school for which all students must pass as the point to begincalculations. Please identify information about each roadway where improvements areproposed, and note that location on the worksheet:

a. Facility for which the student walks on (i.e., sidewalk, shoulder less or morethan five feet wide, or roadway);

b. 15 minute traffic volume count on the affected highway during the normalperiod when students walk to and from school; and,

c. Speed limit on the affected highway.

2) Highway Intersections.

An intersection is defined as the area where two or more highways join one another.Where a highway includes two roadways 30 feet or more apart, then every crossing ofeach roadway of such divided highway by and intersecting highway shall be regardedas a separate intersection. In the event such intersecting highway also includes tworoadways 30 feet or more apart, then every crossing of two roadways of such highwaysshall be regarded as a separate intersection.

Each intersection should be evaluated on its own merit.

A roadway is defined as the portion of a highway improved, designed, marked, orordinarily used for vehicular traffic, exclusive of the shoulder and slope. In the event ahighway includes two or more separate roadways (i.e., divided highway), the termroadway shall refer to any such roadway separately. The median is not considered apart of the roadway.

The number of lanes crossedrefers to the total number of lanes on the roadway beingcrossed, including through lanes and turning lanes.

The crossing may be at an intersection or a marked midblock pedestrian crossing. Tworoadways may need to be crossed at an intersection. The roadways which the student

must cross may be public or private. In the case of a private road, such as an entranceto a shopping center or an industrial plant, the 15-minute traffic volume count must berepresentative of a 15-minute period when students walk to or from school. Crossing aroadway is not considered a hazard due to the presence of any of the following controlswhich provide pedestrian protection:


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a. All way stop signs;b. Adult crossing guards;c. Pedestrian bridge or underpass within 500 feet of the crossing which can be

utilized instead of crossing the road.

Identify the conditions present at each intersection crossed along the route identified inthe application.

Determine the type of control, the number of lanes of traffic on the roadway beingcrossed, the volume of traffic, and the speed limit to determine the point value for eachintersection. Complete a worksheet for each intersection and identify that location onthe worksheet.

3) Highway-railroad grade crossings.Identify the following characteristics:

a. Number of tracks in use (tracks must be within 100 feet of each other to beconsidered as a part of the same crossing). Rail grade crossings with an adultcrossing guard are not considered a hazard;

b. Number of trains using the tracks during the morning and afternoon crossingperiods. The sum of all freight and passenger trains using railroad crossingsduring a one hour interval in the morning and one hour interval in theafternoon. The one hour intervals should occur during normal hours studentscan be expected to walk to and from school.

The number of passenger trains using the crossing during affected hours can usually beobtained from the railroad companies. However, determining the number of freighttrains may require a manual count because their schedule is subject to a degree ofchange. As the number of freight trains may vary from day to day, an average count

based on five weekdays of observations during the morning and afternoon crossingperiods must be taken. Switching movements using a crossing can also be considered,but the number used should be an average count based on five weekdays ofobservations during the morning and afternoon crossing periods.


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Appendix 6: Non-Infrastructure Proposal/Worksheet Part 1Application for non-infrastructure only proposals are due Friday, October 5, 2012.

Describe the project scope and what your plan is to address the 4 Non-InfrastructureEs in the Safe Routes to School Program:

Education

Enforcement

Encouragement

Evaluation

What student population will this proposal benefit? (school(s), grades)

Describe how this proposal fulfils the mission and intent of the Safe Routes to SchoolProgram?

How do you plan to engage the following potential partners and what is their currentlevel of involvement (if any):

x School Administration/Teaching Staffx Parent Teacher Organizations/Associationsx Parentsx Local Law Enforcement Agencies

If you are proposing to create/produce products (curriculum, brochures, training guides),explain why you arent using items that are currently available. Are you willing to sharethese documents on the NYSDOT SRTS site for others to use as well?


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Appendix 7: Application Worksheet Part 2:(for Infrastructure and Non-Infrastructure applications)

Please identify:

The number of K-8 students in the eligible school is__________________.

The number of K-8 students who live within 2 miles of the eligible school who could walkor bicycle to school with the improvements proposed in the application is

___________________________.

The number of K-8 students who currently walk or bicycle to school within the 2 mileradius is_____________________, and within the 2 mile radius where theimprovements are proposed is__________________________.

The number of students being dropped off that could walk if the improvements weremade is _________________________.

What are the accident rates (pedestrian and non-pedestrian) within 2 miles of theeligible school?

Identify how this proposal will address the problems.

Is there a Child Safety Zone (CSZ) designated in this area? (if so, please describe thedesignated CSZ and identify whether this project alleviates the hazards qualifying thearea for the CSZ):

Identify your plan to encourage walking and bicycling where the infrastructureimprovements are proposed (Infrastructure applications only).

How do you plan to sustain the momentum of the Safe Routes to School program withthis project?

What performance measures will you use to determine the successfulness of theprogram?

Have you completed the pre-application parent/teacher surveys? How often will youadminister these surveys?

Do you have an outreach plan for parents and students?


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Appendix 9:Non-Infrastructure Application ChecklistApplications for non-infrastructure only proposals are due Friday, October 5, 2012.

I have included:

_______ Recent Detailed Cost Estimate _______ MOU Sponsor/Applicant Agreement(Initials) (Initials) (if applicable)

_______ Schedule and Timeline _______ Letters of Support from Partners(Initials) (Initials)

_______ Public Involvement Materials _______ Map and Photos of Project Area(Initials) (Initials) (if applicable)

_______ I will refer to the NMUTCD, if necessary.

_______ I understand SRTS projects have to be completed five (5) years fromNYSDOT award.

_______ I will comply with federal reporting requirements.

_______ I will refer to the PLAFAP Manual for compliance with the federal aidprocess.

_______ If awarded, I will provide regular project updates to NYSDOT and respondto requests for information in a timely manner.

My organization has successfully completed the following federal aid projects (pleaseindicate project dates and PINs):

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Did you attend a Safe Routes to School Federal Aid Workshop?If Yes, which one (Provide date and location)?If Yes, who attended from your organization?

Will this person be primarily responsible for the oversight of this project?

If not, who will?Name:Title:Contact Number:Email:


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Sponsor/Applicant Cover Sheet

OSC Municipal CodeOSC Vendor ID

Sponsor Name:AddressAddress

Applicant Name:AddressAddress

Point of Contact Name:PhoneEmail

Funding Requested:

Infrastructure _____________

Non-Infrastructure _____________

Total SRTS funds _____________

Local Funds (Sponsor) _____________ (optional)

Total Project Cost _____________


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SRTS Guidebook

Documents

Transcript of SRTS Guidebook