Texas Safe Routes to School Program

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Carmel Jones
8 years ago
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1 Texas Safe Routes to School Program

2 Children s Health Risks Related to Physical Inactivity, Pedestrian Safety, & Air Quality Prevalence of overweight children has tripled Sharp increase in cases of Type 2 Diabetes in children Pedestrian injuries are the 3 rd leading cause of unintentional injury-related death among children. Asthma rates have increased 160% in the past 15 years in children.

3 Barriers to walking and bicycling to school Community Design Safety Time and Convenience

4 Reasons to do a Safe Routes to School Program Increased independence Increased physical activity Improved pedestrian skills More social interaction Many reasons to do a Walk and Bicycle to School program Community design Reduced fear of crime Decreased neighborhood/ school traffic Less reliance on automobile

5 Funding Getting Started SRTS plan requirement Eligible projects Infrastructure Non Infrastructure Who Can Apply Program Timelines Texas Program Overview

6 Texas SRTS Funding In 2003 the 78 th Texas Legislature created two new specialty plates God Bless America and God Bless Texas. $32 from the sale of each plate is designated for use for the SRTS Program. Texas Transportation Commission has approved federal SRTS programming funds through SAFETEA-LU (2009) at $37.6 million

7 Funding Terms & Conditions Costs cannot be incurred until: Project is selected & approved by Commission Local Project Advance Funding Agreement is executed Federal Project Authorization Agreement is in place Conditions Title 23 ADA Inclusion in TIP/STIP On-system & Off-system Road Improvements Bicycle Paths & Lanes Letting Requirements

8 How to get Started?

9 What is a SRTS Plan? Describe existing conditions Identify existing problems Propose solutions Describe coordination efforts Detail evaluation methods

10 Why are the 5 E s a Requirement? Establishes a comprehensive program by making sure that all of the 5 E s have been addressed Prioritizes projects and activities Builds community support and buy-in making the program more sustainable

11 Infrastructure Program Construction projects that support increased safety and convenience for elementary and middle school children to bicycle and walk to and from school improvement must have been identified in a SRTS Plan On public right of way (or public easement) within two-mile radius of an eligible school Maximum $750,000 per application

12 Non-Infrastructure Program Program and Plan Development $10,000 Maximum Plan Implementation

13 Who Can Apply? Infrastructure State agencies Political subdivisions Non-Infrastructure State agencies Political subdivisions Schools School districts Non-profit organizations For-profit organizations

14 Questions to be Answered? Do we have a developed SRTS Plan or should we apply for funds to develop a Plan? Do we have necessary staff to administer the funding? Do we have the funding to front the project costs until it is reimbursed? Do we have the funding in support of costs that can not be reimbursed? Do we have the resources to support the continuation of the program or project?

15 Program Timelines Program call published in Texas Register on January 19, 2007 Deadline for application submission May 25, 2007 Application evaluations and scoring June August 2007 Commission Approval September 2007

16 Process for Local Non-Infrastructure Project 1. Complete application form 2. Application is signed by authorized representative 3. All additional appropriate documents are attached 4. Detailed cost estimate 5. Cover letter is attached 6. An original, plus 20 copies of application & attachments are included (limited to 30 pages)

17 Process for Local Infrastructure Project 1. Complete application form 2. Application is signed by authorized representative 3. Maps & diagrams are clear, legible & attached 4. All additional appropriate documents are attached 5. Detailed cost estimate 6. Resolutions are submitted Application is limited to 30 pages (including attachments) 7. Cover letter is attached 8. Safe Routes to School Plan is enclosed (required) 9. An original, plus 20 copies of application & attachments are included

18 Internet Resources Texas Safe Routes to School website safe_routes_to_school/default.htm National Center for Safe Routes to School Clearinghouse National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

19 Contact Information Website Address Local Dallas SRTS Coordinators Melanie Young (214) Cheryl Cook (214) Texas SRTS Coordinator Tonna Marcyes 512/

20 Discussion

Writing a Competitive Safe Routes to School Project Workshop

Missouri Safe Routes to School Program Writing a Competitive Safe Routes to School Project Workshop The PedNet Coalition Missouri Department of Transportation Goal of this Training Module How to write