A Guide to Developing Safe Routes to School Maps Gabe Lewis Transportation Planner CCRPC/CUUATS 21 September 2012
Major Sections: Glossary Background Process Resources Document Presents suggested tools Select what is appropriate for your school/community
Purpose Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Maps or Safe Walking Route Maps Safest route Most convenient route Most accessible route SRTS Benefits: Health Transportation Environmental Financial Social
Audience Students Parents Teachers Other school personnel Keep maps uncluttered and organized Clear maps: Help students determine how to get to school safely Help parents trust using routes
Potential Partners School District School Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) Local SRTS group Local bike club Municipality Park district Township supervisor County Engineer Regional Planning Commission (RPC) Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) IDOT District Office
Public Participation Potential resources: Students: they know where they walk most &/or feel safe Parents, School Personnel: may know current &/or ideal student walking routes Surveys: origins, destinations, routes, habits, issues Walkabouts, bikeabouts Consider this when collecting data and creating maps
Elements Non-Field Streets Alleys Railroads School walking boundaries Park district paths Bike facilities Crossing guards Traffic signals School icon School footprint Number of lanes (scoring only) Crosswalk type (scoring only) Traffic control device actuation (scoring only) Field Sidewalks Crosswalks School bike rack location(s) Pedestrian pushbuttons All-way stops Speed limit signs (scoring only) Pedestrian-related signs (scoring only)
Tools Paper map GPS GIS Resources Planner Engineer Intern Volunteer Student Staff PTA member Elements
Safe Routes Scoring CCRPC evaluates each block in each school walking boundary Roadway: Sidewalks Speed limit Traffic volumes Pedestrian-related signage Intersection/Crossing: Number of lanes crossed Crosswalks Traffic controls at intersection Traffic control device Crossing guards Maximum point total: 20
Safe Routes Selection You can use any of the following elements to determine appropriate safe routes: Scores Existing pedestrian & bike facilities Public participation Safety, in terms of: Built environment Vehicle issues Personal safety
Title School name, address North arrow Scale bar Legend Agency logo Map Layout
Map View School walking boundary No school walking boundary: Elementary schools: 1 mile (walkable distance) Middle schools: 1.5 miles (bikeable distance) Account for barriers (e.g. interstates, railroads, natural features) School insets, if necessary
Map with School Walking Boundary Urbana
Map without School Walking Boundary Champaign
Symbolization CCRPC: Sidewalks = red lines Bikeways & Trails = thicker lines, color depends on facility Safe Routes = arrows (can be rotated in ArcGIS) Potential Shapefiles: Point (Safe Routes, Bike Racks, etc.) Line (Streets, Sidewalks, etc.) Polygon (School walking boundary, School Footprint, etc.)
Map with point arrows Urbana
Map with linear arrows Phoenix, AZ
Final Products Export maps to PDF Can also create a booklet with: Walking & biking safety tips Methodology School walking/biking rules School contact information
Map with school rules & inset Urbana
Ideal timeline: Timing Spring/Summer: map creation process Late Summer: distribute at school registration Creates familiarization with route before International Walk to School Day in October
Distribution Online Benefit: Sustainable Methods: School &/or government websites Post maps &/or booklets Paper Benefits: Families can use immediately Equitable access for families without Internet Methods: School &/or government offices Printed upon request School events
Other Languages School &/or community may have a significant population whose first language is not English Options: Bilingual map Translated map Provide translator contact info May build trust & understanding between non- English speaking populations & the community
Bilingual Map Phoenix, AZ
Translated Map Urbana
Updates New facility installation may change safe walking routes Can update maps on a pre-determined, regular basis (e.g. every other summer) Individual maps can be amended Work with school administrators & other interested parties to update, publicize, and redistribute maps
Map after regular update Champaign
Amended Map Champaign
Map after regular update Champaign
Amended Map Savoy
Resources CCRPC C-U Safe Walking Route Maps: http://www.ccrpc.org/transportation/safewalking.php IDOT SRTS Homepage: http://www.dot.state.il.us/saferoutes/saferouteshome.aspx National Center for SRTS: http://www.saferoutesinfo.org/index.cfm Safe Routes to School National Partnership: http://www.saferoutespartnership.org/ America Walks: http://americawalks.org
Thank You!