Ohio SRTS Updates:
December 5, 2011:
SRTS Funding Application Information
Online Applications:
All applications will be submitted online this year.
Guidance is also available on this page. There are several updates you may want to become familiar with as you prepare your application. The information is in the guidance.
Important dates:
January 2, 2012 – Applications available on SRTS website: www.dot.state.oh.us/saferoutes
March 2, 2012 (5:00 PM) – Application deadline; Infrastructure and Non-Infrastructure
April 30, 2012 – Applicants notified
September 30,2011:
For communities currently developing School Travel Plans, they will be due to the ODOT district SRTS coordinator on November 30, 2012 at 5:00 pm. Contact your ODOT District SRTS Coordinator with Questions. This new deadline gives communities an extra month to complete the plans.
September 15, 2011:
2011 James L. Oberstar Safe Routes to School Award:
The National Center for Safe Routes to School is now accepting applications for the 2011 James L. Oberstar Safe Routes to School Award. The annual Award recognizes a Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program for outstanding achievement in improving the health and well-being of an entire generation of school children. This year’s Award will recognize exemplary achievement by a SRTS program that has greatly improved the safety or increased the number of elementary or middle school students who walk and bicycle to school. Additional consideration will be given to applicants who have made active transportation to/from school an integral part of the school’s culture over time. The application deadline is Wednesday, October 26, 2011. For more information, please see www.saferoutesinfo.org/data-central/success-stories/safe-routes-to-school-award.
October is Walk and Bicycle to School Month:
Remember October is international walk to school month. Many of you are planning your events. Please register your events: http://www.walktoschool.org/
Every Move you Make, Keep it Safe:
ODOT recently announced the Every Move you Make, Keep it Safe Roadway Safety campaign. This campaign includes a big Safe Routes to school component. Check the website for more information and watch for a big announcement on October 4: www.everymove.ohio.gov
September 8, 2011:
Applications are due Wednesday, October 19, 2011.
Ohio Safe Routes to School
ODOT awards record $11.6 million for Safe Routes to School
COLUMBUS (Wednesday, April 6, 2010) – The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) today announces the awarding of $11.6 million in anticipated federal transportation funds for 90 projects through the successful Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Program. [Read More]
Safe Routes to School (SRTS) is a federal, state and local effort to enable and encourage children, including those with disabilities, to walk and bicycle to school - and to make walking and bicycling to school safe and appealing.
Since 2005, Ohio has awarded $32 Million to communities for SRTS projects all over the state. A linked map shows locations of those projects.
The goal of Ohio's Safe Routes to School Program is to assist communities in developing and implementing projects and programs that encourage and enable children in grades k-8, including those with disabilities to walk or bike to school safely.
Successful Safe Routes to School programs include an integrated approach that addresses all 5 E’s of the program:
- Engineering – Creating operational and physical improvements to the infrastructure within 2 miles of schools which include children in grades K-8, improvements will reduce speeds and potential conflicts with motor vehicle traffic, and establish safer and fully accessible crossings, walkways, trails and bikeways.
- Education – Teaching children and care givers about transportation choices, instructing them in lifelong bicycling and walking safety skills, and launching driver safety campaigns.
- Enforcement – Partnering with local law enforcement to ensure traffic laws are enforced in the vicinity of schools (this includes enforcement of speeds, yielding to pedestrians in crossings, and proper walking and bicycling behaviors), and initiating community enforcement such as crossing guard programs.
- Encouragement – Using events and activities to promote walking and bicycling.
- Evaluation – Monitoring and documenting outcomes and trends through the collection of data, including the collection of data before and after the intervention(s).
Local and regional governments, schools and community non-profit organizations ready, willing and able to implement SRTS initiatives are eligible to apply for funding. Funding is reimbursable and may be awarded at 100%.
Ohio requires communities to develop a School Travel Plan. Funding is also available for planning activities.
The next application cycle for Ohio SRTS projects will be from January to March 2012.
Authority:
Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users Act (SAFETEA-LU) Section(s): 1101(a), 1404
