Safe Routes to School

Safe Routes to School Amy Paxton-Aiken, Center TRT University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, NC and Ian Thomas, Executive Director PedNet Coalition Columbia, MO

Housekeeping If you are calling in on a phone line turn your computer volume all the way down. Type questions into the chat window we ll respond during the Q & A portion All participant lines are muted Technical difficulties use the chat box or call the # indicated for assistance

What We Will Cover. Overview of Center TRT PedNet s Safe Routes to School program How it works Outcomes and Public Health Impact

Center For Training and Research Translation Web-Based Training Nutrition and Health Module Coming Fall 2012 Nutrition 101 Policy and Environmental Supports for Healthy Eating Physical Activity and Health Module Childhood Obesity Prevention Module Intervention Specific Modules Nutrition and Physical Activity Self Assessment in Child Care (NAP SACC) A New Leaf Choices for Healthy Living RE-AIM (program planning and evaluation framework)

Safe Routes to School Promoting and providing safe and active ways to travel to and from school Walk to School Days Walking School Bus Program Bike Brigades Youth Bicycle Safety Education

Main Components PedNet s program was built over time Build partnerships Assess the walking environment Get to know the population Start with a Walk to School Day Expand to an on-going program

Potential for Public Health Impact Reach Effectiveness Adoption Implementation Maintenance

PedNet s Walking School Bus How to Use a Community Program To Change Policy and the Built Environment Ian Thomas, PedNet Coalition (Columbia, MO) Center TRT Webinar: 25 September, 2012

PedNet s Walking School Bus: How to Use a Community Program To Change Policy and the Built Environment Introduction To Safe Routes to School Engage the Community With a Walking School Bus Program Use the Walking School Bus Program To Change Policy and the Built Environment Lessons Learned: Challenges and Keys to Success

In 1969, about 50% of American children walked to school In 2001,... just 15%.

The Five E s of Safe Routes to School: 1. Encouragement

The Five E s of Safe Routes to School: 2. Education

The Five E s of Safe Routes to School: 3. Enforcement

The Five E s of Safe Routes to School: 4. Engineering

The Five E s of Safe Routes to School: 5. Evaluation

Benefits of Walking to School 1. Improved health and fitness 2. Better behavior and focus in class 3. Less traffic congestion around schools 4. Less air pollution around schools 5. Pedestrian safety training 6. Social opportunity for kids

PedNet Background

Formed in April, 2000 The PedNet Coalition Mission: To encourage walking, bicycling and rolling a wheelchair, and to promote the creation of a safe and attractive network of paths, trails and multimodal streets Tactics: Policy advocacy, education, and programs 7,000+ supporters in Columbia Information: www.pednet.org

Grass-Roots Approach

The Vision

The Reality

Partnership Public Health Agency Public School District Partners in Education Local SAFEKIDS Coalition Police Department Elected Representatives Local Media Sports Teams Media

Logic Model Encouraging Healthy Behavior Through Changes in the Built Environment Promotion, Education Policy, Infrastructure

Logic Model Encouraging Healthy Behavior Through Changes in the Built Environment Promotion, Education Policy, Infrastructure

Logic Model Encouraging Healthy Behavior Through Changes in the Built Environment Promotion, Education Policy, Infrastructure

Logic Model Encouraging Healthy Behavior Through Changes in the Built Environment Promotion, Education Policy, Infrastructure

Walk-to-School Day Promotion Staging Post Guest Walkers Tracking Participation Healthy Snack

Happy Children

Benefits of Walking to School 1. Improved health and fitness 2. Better behavior and focus in class 3. Less traffic congestion around schools 4. Less air pollution around schools 5. Pedestrian safety training 6. Social opportunity for kids

Additional Benefits of Walking School Bus 1. Improved health and fitness with sustained benefits 2. Better behavior and focus in class every day 3. Less traffic congestion around schools every day 4. Less air pollution around schools every day 5. Pedestrian safety training every day 6. Social opportunity for kids and adults 7. Highly visible program in the community 8. Interaction with a caring adult

Evolution of PedNet s Walking School Bus Program 2003-present: Walk-to-School Days Spring, 2005: Pilot Walking School Bus program (4 routes, 30 children, parent-led) 2006-2007 school year: Formal WSB program (12 routes, 120 children, volunteer-led) 2011-2012 school year: Formal WSB at 13 schools (40 routes, 500 children, 200 volunteers)

Advertising the Program and Registering the Kids Simple registration form Back-to-school/parent-teacher conference night Announcement in newsletter and Friday folders Parent information meeting

Recruiting and Training the Volunteer Leaders Recruit: - Parent volunteers - College students, especially in health-related fields - Community volunteers, especially seniors Training: - Safety code for leaders - Leaders teach pedestrian safety to kids - Make it FUN

Safety Code Be Visible Walk, Don't Run Stay on the Sidewalk Walk Sensibly (No Horsing Around) Walk Together as a Group Cross Side Streets as a Group Cross Main Streets at a Crosswalk or Intersection

Planning the Routes

Logic Model Encouraging Healthy Behavior Through Changes in the Built Environment Promotion, Education Policy, Infrastructure

Logic Model Encouraging Healthy Behavior Through Changes in the Built Environment Promotion, Education Policy, Infrastructure

Policy/Built Environment Changes that Promote Walking to School in Columbia Voter approval of a 7-year, 1/4 cent sales tax to raise $3.5m for sidewalks around schools (2005) Board of Education inclusion of travel-to-school considerations in new high school site selection process (2007) Council approval of new City ordinance setting neighborhood speed limits to 25 mph (2009)

Many Schools Lack Sidewalks

$3.5 Million Sales Tax for Sidewalks Around Schools

Proposed high-school location for: 2,000 students

Proposed high-school location for: 2,000 children Number of 15-18 year olds living within 3 miles: 22

Important Factors in School Siting Location Population density Existing infrastructure Existing services Zoning laws Price of land

Perils for Pedestrians Normal residential speed limit: 30 mph Actual measured speeds: 33-38 mph Pedestrian collision fatality rates: 85% DEAD at 40 mph 55% DEAD at 30 mph 15% DEAD at 20 mph

Approaches for Reducing Speeds 1. Enact/signpost lower speed limit 2. Neighborhood education campaign 3. Police enforcement 4. Traffic calming How effective is each approach?

Shepard Neighborhood Experimental Pilot Program Measurement #1: Ave. speed = 31.0 mph Intervention: 25 mph speed limit signs installed Measurement #2: Ave. speed = 27.5 mph Intervention: Education/outreach program Measurement #3: Ave. speed = 26.0 mph

Challenges 1. Liability concerns Emphasize safety Document emphasis on safety Maintain excellent communications Obtain parent waiver 2. Recruiting volunteers Parents, PTA Neighborhood association Senior citizens organizations Retired teachers organizations Employee wellness programs College students 3. Funding...

Potential Funding Source: School Parent-Teacher Association

Potential Funding Source: Local Business Sponsorship

Potential Funding Source: School District Foundation Foundation Goals: Enhance academic excellence * Expand learning opportunities Stimulate creativity and innovation * Enrich the basic curriculum. Encourage community and business involvement

Potential Funding Source: Hospital or Community Foundation

Potential Funding Source: Local/State Health Departments

Potential Funding Source: National Center for SRTS Mini-Grants

Potential Funding Source: Blue Cross Blue Shield Conversion Foundations

Potential Funding Source: National Healthcare Foundations

Potential Funding Source: Federal Safe Routes to School Funding

Potential Funding Source: Institutionalization

Key to Success: Get Your Program on the Local Media

Key to Success: Appoint a Great School Liaison

Key to Success: Involve Local Celebrities in Your Events

Key to Success: Invite Policymakers to Your Events

Key to Success: Build Public Support for a Ballot Issue

Walking School Bus Program Training Workshops One-day workshop for schools or community partnerships Background to SRTS and nuts and bolts of starting a WSB program Activities include action plan development, walkability audit and route-planning exercise Includes Resource Flash Drive with generic documents

Contact Information Ian Thomas Executive Director The PedNet Coalition ian@pednet.org 573-239-7916