Hermantown Safe Routes to School Kickoff Meeting November 10, 2015
1. Introductions 2. SRTS Program Overview 1. Purpose 2. Benefits 3. SRTS planning process timeline 4. SRTS Team roles 3. Background on SRTS efforts to date 4. Brainstorm Existing Resources 5. Hermantown SRTS Vision Development 6. Next Steps
Thinking back Memory of when you walked or biked as a child
1. Purpose of the Program 2. Program benefits and 5E Approach 3. SRTS Team Role 4. Basic Process Timeline
Fewer kids today walk and bike to school Unintended consequences SRTS programs are part of the solution
1969 38% rode bus 48% walk or bike 12% family vehicle 2009 39% rode bus 13% walk or bike 45% family vehicle How Children Get to School. Rep. National Center for Safe Routes to School, Nov. 2011.
Significant portion of traffic congestion is located around the schools Milwaukee, WI Middleton, WI
Centreville, VA Howard s Grove, WI
Small schools Located in community centers and neighborhoods (EPA, 2003) Large-schools Built on edges of towns and cities
Fear of crime (both real and perceived) Stranger danger Other reasons
Environmental On individual health
Parents driving children to school: 20%-25% of morning traffic (NHTSA 2003)
Reduces air quality Idling an engine produces 2X exhaust emissions as an engine in motion Increases air pollution around the school 10 seconds of idling wastes more fuel than restarting the engine Wastes money Anti-idling campaigns successful in Canada
Active Transport Methods Overweight/Obesity Rates National Geographic, Green-dex
IN MINNESOTA Obesity. Rep. Minnesota Department of Health, n.d. Web. 2015.
30 minutes Walking Daily Of walking burns 60 calories (BW of 50 lbs) Would Burn the Equivalent of 6.25 pounds of fat per year
3 µv 8 After 20 minutes of Sitting Quietly After 20 minutes of Walking Hillman et al, 2009
Communities are taking action on behalf of children through Safe Routes to School
Education Encouragement Enforcement Engineering Evaluation
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
Increases popularity of walking and bicycling Is an easy way to start SRTS programs Emphasizes fun of walking and biking
Increases awareness of pedestrians and bicyclists Improves driver behavior Helps children follow traffic rules Decreases parent perceptions of danger
Creates safer, more accessible settings for walking and bicycling Can influence the way people behave
Is the program making a difference?
2015/2016 November: SRTS Team Formation, existing conditions data collection, Meeting #1, November-January: Parent Surveys and Classroom Tallies, Drop-off and Pick-up Observations, Walk and/or bike audits. Review of collected data and develop program goals Meeting #2 February: Determine 5 E Strategies Action Items, Meeting #3 March: Assemble Draft Plan April-May: Meeting #4, Finalize Document
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
Where it s safe, get children walking and biking Where it s not safe, make changes Winston-Salem, NC
Participate in the SRTS Planning process Provide insight into effective ways to engage parents and community members. Collect Parent Surveys and Classroom Tallies. Decide on 5E activities that will address safety concerns. Implement SRTS program s action plan.
Rarely are we given a chance to improve the lives of an entire generation. Today, we have that opportunity. -Congressman James L. Oberstar
Safe Routes to School Program www.dot.state.mn.us/saferoutes www.walkbiketoschool.org http://www.saferoutespartnership.org/
1. Introductions 2. SRTS Program Overview 1. Purpose 2. Benefits 3. SRTS planning process timeline 4. SRTS Team roles 3. Background on local efforts 4. Brainstorm Existing Resources 5. Hermantown SRTS Vision Development 6. Next Steps
Please Feel Free to Contact me Anytime with Questions or to Discuss the Hermantown SRTS Planning Process. Justin Otsea Planner Regional Planning Division Arrowhead Regional Development Commission jotsea@ardc.org 218-529-7529