Safe Routes to School

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Information

Safe Routes to School (SRTS) programs get kids physically active and take cars off the road. In the same time frame we have seen student walking and bicycling to school decline from 48 percent (1969) to 13 percent (2009). During this time period that percentage of parents using Kiss & Ride has increased. The increase of Kiss & Ride users has exacerbated traffic conditions around many schools and has made it more difficult for student walkers/bicyclist to get to school.

In the Commonwealth of Virginia, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) administers the federal SRTS grant program. The VDOT SRTS program assists interested localities and schools in the development of plans, activities, and infrastructure improvements to make bicycling and walking to school a safe and appealing transportation option for students in kindergarten through eighth grade.

SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL WORKSHOPS (New)

Consider attending one of six Safe Routes to School Workshops we are hosting this spring. These four-hour workshops will provide information for both new and existing programs. Each workshop will provide details on how to apply for either a QuickStart Mini-grant or develop a SRTS Plan to use for a larger non-infrastructure grant application in the fall 2013. By taking part in one of two work sessions at the end of the workshop, participants can either begin a SRTS Activities and Programs Plan or begin an online QuickStart Mini-grant application.

As a bonus, two participants at each workshop will be selected to have a walking or biking event organized by VDOT at their schools!

Workshops will be held in the following communities in March and April:

Vienna, March 14
Richmond, March 20
Front Royal, April 10
Norfolk, April 17
Radford, April 17
Fishersville, April 24

More details are on the Virginia SRTS Events page. Or, click here to register now.

IMPORTANT DATES

September, 27, 2012 - VDOT QuickStart Mini-grants *application deadline

October 3, 2012 – International Walk to School Day

October 18, 2012 - VDOT QuickStart Mini-grants * application deadline

November 15, 2012 - VDOT QuickStart Mini-grants *application deadline

December 14, 2012 - Deadline for submission of VDOT SRTS School Travel plans

December 21, 2012 – Deadline for VDOT SRTS non-infrastructure grant

January 25, 2013 - Deadline for VDOT SRTS infrastructure grant

(*) Schools that apply for the VDOT Quick Start Mini-grant will not be eligible to apply for a VDOT non-infrastructure grant this year.

VDOT SRTS GRANT APPLICATION INFORMATION/RESOURCES

VDOT SRTS Program Main Page (links to grant process)
VDOT SRTS Program Marketing Page
VDOT SRTS Contact Page

Examples of FCPS School Travel Plans for Infrastructure Grants

NATIONAL SRTS RESOURCES

Safe Routes to School Online Guide [collaborators National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE)]
National Center for Safe Routes to School online resource
The Greater Washington region Safe Routes to School network website
League of American Bicyclist – SRTS Introduction video filmed in Virginia (4 minutes)

LOCAL SRTS CONTACTS FOR INFORMATION

FCPS Office of Safety and Security can provide maps, local statistics, review, and provide system-wide approval for local SRTS School Travel Plans. Additionally, OSS will install bike racks at schools at no cost to schools. Contact information:

Douglass O’Neill, Coordinator Safety and Environmental Health at 571-423-2010 or doneill@fcps.edu

The Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) is an integral part of all VDOT SRTS infrastructure grants. All infrastructure grants will need to be approved by FCDOT and the Board of Supervisors (with the exception of infrastructure grants within The Town of Vienna, Town of Herndon, and City of Fairfax). The FDOT Pedestrian Program coordinator is the administrative lead on these projects and assists FCPS on school sidewalk projects.

FDOT Pedestrian Program website.
FDOT Pedestrian Program coordinator – Chris Wells at 703-877-5772 or Chris.Wells@fairfaxcounty.gov

The Department of Communications and Community Outreach (DCCO) leads the school division's efforts to maintain responsive and collaborative communication and partnerships with parents, employees, businesses and community, and the media. DCCO provides media outreach (news releases) for school events.