Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Programs across the nation are providing children the opportunity to participate in physical activity by walking to school, while also reducing vehicular emissions, and relieving cities of traffic congestion. The SRTS program was originally introduced as a Federal-Aid program of the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) created by Section 1404 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users Act (SAFETEA-LU) in 2005. With the passage of MAP-21, as of October 2012, federal funds specifically appropriated towards the SRTS program were no longer available to states. Still, states can still develop SRTS programs and seek support from the MAP-21's new transportation alternatives ...
The Livable Communities Act of 2011 (S. 1621, H.R. 3325) is a federal bill, authored by Senator Robert "Bob" Menendez of New Jersey, that would empower communities to develop livable and sustainable projects and provide grants to districts who plan to implement projects as part of comprehensive regional plans. The bill would give up to 75% of loans to eligible borrowers, for infrastructure development projects, used to support transit-oriented development. The first three sections of this bill include the table of contents, findings, and the purposes of the bill. Section four provides definitions for terms like comprehensive regional plan, healthy housing, livable community, and location efficient. Sections five through ten provide details on each component of the bill such as: The ...
The Walkable Community Program, an initiative created by the San Antonio-Bexar County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), exists to inform, unite, and support local residents and organizations in improving the walkability of their communities. Anyone interested in promoting walking or biking activities in their community can contact the MPO to get assistance in starting a walking program in their community. Every third Wednesday of the month the MPO's Pedestrian Mobility Advisory Committee (PMAC) meets to develop plans for a safe and accessible network of sidewalks and pedestrian amenities throughout the community. Citizens wishing to participate on this committee are encouraged to attend meetings. Resources The Walkable Community Program Home Page Information about ...
States, cities, and towns can help create healthier communities by implementing community wide Complete Street policies which serve to reduce traffic congestion and design communities with all road users in mind--including bicyclists and pedestrians of all ages and abilities. According to a report entitled Complete Streets Policy Analysis of 2011, prepared by Smart Growth America, there were 350 Complete Street policies throughout the country as of January 1, 2012. At the state level there were roughly 30 policies that called for Complete Streets. Learn more about the fundamentals of Complete Streets, changing policy, and implementation of Complete Streets, by visiting the resources below. Resources Complete Streets: A to Z A list of Complete Street policies that exist across the ...
Built environment conditions can greatly impact a community's health, and policymakers like Senator Bill Monning (D-California), are starting to take note of this. In September 2012, California enacted AB 441, a bill that requires the California Transportation Commission (CTC) to include plans for projects that would help create health equity. The bill requires the CTC to attach policies, practices, or projects, recommended by regional Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs), to ensure health equity. Resources Read the text to AB 441. This press release from Sen. Monning's office announces the passage of A.B. 441, in California, which seeks to increase health equity, by requiring transportation plans to document how the health residents will be affected by the implementation of ...
In 2009, the Texas Safe Passing bill was filed with the Senate by Rodney Ellis (D-Houston) and John Carona (R-Dallas) but later vetoed by Gov. Perry. This law would require more than three feet of passing distance (six feet for commercial vehicles) when a motorist passes a vulnerable road user---which includes, pedestrians, a physically disabled person, highway construction workers, people on horseback, bicyclists, or someone operating a moped. This Texas Safe Passing bill included penalties for "right hook" turns (turning dangerously in front of a vulnerable road user), and failing to yield when making a left turn at an intersection. According to the text of SB 488, if this bill would have been enacted, violation of this law would be punishable as a misdemeanor, and if the violation ...
According to this October 2012 article, from Safe Routes to School in California, a new law (AB 1915) will help improve infrastructure and programs to increase pedestrian and bicyclist safety in underserved areas of California. The state policy introduced by Sen. Luis Alejo (D- California) allocates up to 10% of Safe Routes to School program funds towards infrastructure improvements, for school bus stops outside the vicinity of school. The bill serves as an act to amend Section 2333.5 of the Streets and Highways Code, for the state of California relating to transportation, and allows for more flexibility in how funds are spent. The article also cites the 2007 National Survey of Children's Health finding, that children in rural areas had a greater chance (42%) of being overweight or ...
Schools belonging to the Northside Independent School District (NISD) in San Antonio, Texas, will use funds received through Safe Routes to School Programs to improve sidewalks and infrastructure near Glass elementary and Pat Neff middle school. This, February 2011, NISD slideshow presentation describes the difference between the infrastructure and non-infrastructure Safe Routes to School grants. It also provides an overview of the planned projects and a timeline for when they are expected to be completed. According to this letter, authored by District 7 Council member Cris Medina, through the city's general obligation funds and a matching Safe Routes to School Grant, the $1.2 million project is expected to be completed by the winter of 2012. This brochure describes where ...
According to this article, children in Taylor, Texas near Austin, have safer access to schools since the city was awarded $574,000 in Safe Routes to School infrastructure funds from the Texas Department of Transportation in 2008. The city strategically partnered with Taylor Independent School District to apply for funds to construct a sidewalk that would connect four schools: two elementary schools, one middle school and one high school. Once construction of the sidewalks are complete, the city anticipates that more children will be walking to school. While some components are funded by the state, federal funding is also available for these programs. Communities and school districts across Texas, have developed Safe Routes to School plans. Funding for Safe Routes programs exists for ...
