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INDOT > Safety > Indiana Safe Routes to School Program Indiana Safe Routes to School Program

The Indiana Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Program is based on the federal program designed to make walking and bicycling to school safe and routine. Walking and bicycling are viable transportation alternatives for travel to and from school with significant potential benefits, among them reductions in motor vehicle traffic, associated fuel consumption for school trips and improved air quality. Crossing

When SAFETE-LU was signed into law in 2005, the evidence was clear that disturbing weight gains among American children and a growing nationwide obesity epidemic threatened our health. Bicycling and walking to school helps establish a healthy, active lifestyle from an early age. Generally, increased physical activity among school-aged children contributes to their improved personal health. However, towns with established SRTS programs also report a stronger sense of community identity and increased social skills among school-aged children.

INDOT is responsible for administering the Indiana SRTS Program that makes federal funding available for eligible activities and improvements. INDOT created an application process to evaluate candidate projects. An SRTS Advisory Committee reviews applications and make recommendations to fund infrastructure projects and non-infrastructure activities.

Visit the SRTS Program Parameters to learn more about the parameters of Indiana's SRTS program, to find out about funding administration, and to see a complete list of eligible infrastructure projects and non-infrastructure activities.

What's New

  • 2012 Benchmarking Report from Alliance for Biking & Walking
  • Study on Strategies for Successful SRTS Programs
  • 2012 SRTS Awards
  • First National Bike to School Day
  • SRTS Helping Communities Save Lives and Dollars Policy Report
  • Indiana’s 2011 SRTS projects and activities have been selected and sponsors have been notified.
  • Schools all over Indiana participated in National Walk & Bike to School events in October. 

SRTS Program

West Lafayette CSRPIndiana’s 2011 SRTS Program application cycle is complete. Despite not having a new 6-year transportation bill, the decision was made to proceed with the 2011 application round. All proposals were reviewed and rated by the SRTS Advisory Committee in summer of 2011, recommendations were submitted to the INDOT Commissioner, and applicants were notified in the fall whether their proposals were selected for funding.

Proposals exhibiting a comprehensive approach to walking and bicycling were viewed more favorably than requests for shared use paths, crosswalks and sidewalks alone. The strongest applications featured partnerships, local initiative and solid planning support. The Advisory Committee particularly supports school travel plans and comprehensive safe routes plans, effective encouragement techniques, enforcement actions that enhance student safety, promotion of walking and bicycling to school, and pedestrian and bicycling skills training. As in past years, Indiana wanted to emphasize increased physical activity among students, improved student health, and efforts to reduce parents driving children to school and short-distance bussing. More effective school walking and biking policies are still encouraged.

Plans are underway for the 2012 application cycle and an earlier starting date and application due date are being considered. Potential applicants are advised to read the latest SRTS Application Guide when it becomes available for updates to the program and requirement changes. The 2011 application forms, application guide and 2011 cost estimates for pedestrian and bicycle facilities below will remain available until the 2012 materials are developed.

Did You Know...

If the number of kids who walk and bike to school was restored to 1969 levels, our nation would cut 3.2 billion vehicle miles, 1.5 million tons of CO2, and 89,000 tons of other pollutants annually. This is the equivalent of keeping more than 250,000 cars off the road for a year.---Pedroso, M., 2008

"...I know how important it is that we provide students with safe options for getting to school while promoting exercise and healthy lifestyles. That's why I've embraced the Safe Routes to School program so wholeheartedly since becoming the Secretary of Transportation. Simply, Safe Routes works to ensure that children have a safe way to walk or bike to school. And that dovetails perfectly with the First Lady's goals of increasing physical activity among kids and reversing childhood obesity..."---US Secretary of Transportation, Ray LaHood

National Walk & Bike to School Month

In October, INDOT and communities across the state celebrated Walk and Bike to School Month. Hoosier students walked and often biked to school to demonstrate the potential that these modes offer and to help change community culture and establish environments that are inviting for young and old to walk and bike. Walking and biking to school provide opportunities for needed physical activity, while helping improve air quality, reducing traffic congestion near schools and making neighborhoods look and feel more livable. 46 Indiana schools – from Alexandria to Zionsville -- registered to participate in Walk & Bike to School Month activities.

International Walk to School Day 2011 was held on Wednesday October 5th. Was your school one of those that joined the celebration? INDOT is interested in hearing about your celebration and seeing pictures. What percentage of students walked or biked to your school? Last year, 28 Indiana schools registered events on the Walk to School website. This year many schools registered events for the first time. To see a description of Indiana 2011 Walk to School events go to the national website and click on "Who is walking?"

INDOT, the Indiana State Department of Health and the Health by Design Coalition issued a joint letter encouraging schools to participate in the annual demonstration of how simple, effective and enjoyable walking and bicycling to school can be.

National Bike to School Day

The first National Bike to School Day will be held Wednesday May 9th.  The National Center for Safe Routes to School will be coordinating the inaugural bike-focused event that builds on the popularity and success of International Walk to School celebrations held in October.  The National Center will be planning the event in partnership with the League of American Bicyclists, the organization that leads the celebration of National Bike Month each May.

The National Center plans to have a redesigned version of their website available in early April with more information about Bike to School Day and new event planning resources and tools, including a new GIS-powered walking and bicycling route mapping tool. According to the National Center, a “Win a Bike Rack” contest is being planned to help build excitement and encourage registration of both events and resources for the event.

More details are available at National Center for Safe Routes to School.

SRTS Awards

During Indiana’s 2011 SRTS application cycle 46 applications were submitted seeking over $8.1 million. From this field 18 infrastructure and 13 non-infrastructure proposals totaling almost $5.1 million were selected for funding.

SRTS Links

Indiana

National


*Images provided by the Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center (PBIC) unless otherwise noted.

Contact Information

Michael O'Loughlin
Indiana Department of Transportation
100 N. Senate Ave. IGCN. 955
Indianapolis, IN 46204
317-232-5653
moloughlin@indot.in.gov


 

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