Barnum- Safe Routes to School Meeting #2 January 20, 2015

Transcription

1 Barnum- Safe Routes to School Meeting #2 January 20, 2015

2 1. Introductions 2. SRTS Program Overview 1. Purpose 2. Benefits 3. Background of planning Process 3. Existing Conditions Review and Summary 1. Existing Conditions Map 2. Observation notes and Summary 3. Review Parent Survey and Classroom 4. Barnum SRTS Vision Statement Development 5. Brainstorm and Discuss Action Steps 6. Next Steps

3 1. Purpose of the Program 2. Program benefits and 5E Approach 3. SRTS Team Role 4. Basic Process Timeline

4 Fewer kids today walk and bike to school Unintended consequences have resulted SRTS programs are part of the solution

5 % rode bus 48% walk or bike 12% family vehicle % rode bus 13% walk or bike 45% family vehicle How Children Get to School. Rep. National Center for Safe Routes to School, Nov

6 Significant portion of traffic congestion is located around the schools Milwaukee, WI Middleton, WI

7 Centreville, VA Howard s Grove, WI

8 Small schools Located in community centers and neighborhoods (EPA, 2003) Large-schools Built on edges of towns and cities

9 Fear of crime (both real and perceived) Stranger danger Other reasons

10 Environmental On individual health

11 Parents driving children to school: 20%-25% of morning traffic (NHTSA 2003; Dept. of Environment)

12

13 Active Transport Methods Overweight/Obesity Rates National Geographic, Green-dex

14 3 µv 8 After 20 minutes of Sitting Quietly After 20 minutes of Walking Hillman et al, 2009

15

16 ...to improve walking and bicycling conditions...to increase physical activity...to decrease air pollution Dallas, TX

17 Reduce congestion around schools Can lead to cost savings for schools (reduce need for hazard busing) Others: increase child s sense of freedom, help establish lifetime habits, teach pedestrian and bicyclist skill Uninterrupted, quality time with children Community building

18 Education Encouragement Enforcement Engineering Evaluation

19 Teaches safety skills Creates safety awareness Fosters life-long safety habits Includes parents, neighbors and other drivers Compton Drew Middle School Dolphin Bicycle Club Katy Trail Ride 2010

20 Increases popularity of walking and bicycling Is an easy way to start SRTS programs Emphasizes fun of walking and biking

21 Increases awareness of pedestrians and bicyclists Improves driver behavior Helps children follow traffic rules Decreases parent perceptions of danger

22 Creates safer, more accessible settings for walking and bicycling Can influence the way people behave

23 Is the program making a difference?

24 2014/2015 September: SRTS Team Formation, existing conditions data collection, Meeting #1, October - November: Parent Surveys and Classroom Tallies, Drop-off and Pick-up Observations, Walk and/or bike audits. January: Review of collected data and develop program goals Meeting #2 February-March: Determine 5 E Strategies Action Items, Meeting #3 March-April: Assemble Draft Plan April-May: Meeting #4, Finalize Document

25 A Safe Routes to School Plan contains the following sections: 1. Introduction to SRTS and Vision Statement 2. Existing Conditions survey results, walk/bike audit, assessment 3. Action Plan 5 E s strategies and action steps 4. Implementation Steps Timelines and lead entities or people 5. Evaluation Plan plan to evaluate progress

26 The following slides provide a summary of the existing conditions of the school founded through observation, discussion, survey results, classroom tally s and other methods. The classroom survey was distributed on October 27 th, 2014

27

28

29

30

31

32

33

34 October 28-30, 2014

35

36

37

38 October 22 nd, 2014

39 Walkers/Bikers Quite a few walkers (5-7+), two I saw from 61 (others diverted to playground / back door) a few others were walking the wrong side of the road down North St. From Carlton 3 bikers, 2 from Goodell and 1 from the Carlton (east side) Bus System Buses entered from the west (Hwy 61) Drop off in designated side lot area, right in front of doors. Minimal hazardous interactions Parent Drop-off (Car) Cars dropping off A few drop offs on the opposite side of North Street. Notice a few u turns and many distracted drivers Majority of drivers properly maneuvered the crosswalk

40 Crossing Guards/Patrols 2 student patrols walk along Stine to cross any students that may be walking to school between 7:55 ** Continued to be walkers/bikers and heavier traffic as arrival neared the tail end.** Opportunity for improvement No adult supervision outside of view through office windows Traffic Traffic levels were reasonable, mode split helps a lot. A few cars drop off on the opposite side of the street, witnessed two u turns A few cars overshot the drop off and merged into the handicap spot to drop off A few vehicles stayed for 15+ min, but timing caused minimal if any delay Many distracted drivers on cell phones

41 Parent Drop-off (Car) Parents started lining up at 2:40. About 7 deep on North side of North St., 3-4 on South side, Cars parked in parking lot, and on both sides of Goodell. Majority of students leaving front of school are picked up) Bus System Buses line up in two rows in designated west lot. Once students are loaded, buses all leave, one by one, in an orderly fashion One bus line crosses Hwy 61, and begins dropping off students immediately upon crossing onto Old Hwy 61 Walkers/Bikers Bikers left down Goodell, main concern is restricted lane access due to parked cars on each side, and poor road conditions (pot holes throughout). A group of approximately 10 walkers departed after much traffic is gone (3:10 ish) and are accompanied by crossing guards. Additional walkers in the afternoon (more than likely drop offs in the morning when parent is going to work)

42 Crossing Guards/Patrols Cross walk crossing guards are out prior to school dismissal (2:55) Patrols accompany walkers and bring them all the way home (4-5 blocks away in some instance) Traffic Increased amounts of U-turns Most traffic flowed out onto 61 or around Goodell Follow crossing guard instructions well

43 Map

44

45 Create a built environment that encourages safe bicycle and pedestrian travel, as well as a culture that promotes walking and biking as a fun alternative to automobiles through policy and promotional events. Provide a culture that embraces walking and biking as fun alternatives for travel, while creating and sustaining infrastructure that encourage these activities while placing an emphasis upon safety above all else.

46 Please refer to handout for conversation focused on potential implementation steps. Education Encouragement Enforcement Engineering Evaluation Spring Promotional Event Ideas?

47 Develop Draft Recommendations / Action steps to be reviewed at the next meeting. Upcoming meeting dates?

48 Safe Routes to School Program

49 Please Feel Free to Contact me Anytime with Questions or to Discuss the Barnum SRTS Planning Process. Justin Otsea Planner Regional Planning Division Arrowhead Regional Development Commission