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Safe Routes to School Programs

“Safe Routes to School” refers to efforts that improve, educate, or encourage children safely walking (by foot or mobility device) or biking to school. The Oregon Department of Transportation has two main types of Safe Routes to School programs: Construction and non-construction grants and technical assistance. Construction programs focus on making sure safe walking and biking routes exist through investments in crossings, sidewalks and bike lanes, flashing beacons, and the like. Non-construction programs focus on education and outreach to assure awareness and safe use of walking and biking routes. Investments include developing Safe Routes to School Action Plans, educating students on walking and biking options and how to do use them safely (laws, rules, and guidelines), among other efforts.

From 2005-2012 there was dedicated federal funding for Safe Routes to School infrastructure and non-infrastructure. When that went away, ODOT and the Oregon Transportation Commission used its discretion to continue some dedicated funding for non-infrastructure. Although there was no dedicated funding for infrastructure, several Safe Routes to School projects successfully competed for funding over the years.

In 2017, the Oregon Legislature passed the landmark transportation funding package (HB2017) which dedicates infrastructure funding once again to Safe Routes to School. Funding will flow into the Safe Routes to School Fund (ORS 184.740), guided by Oregon Administrative Rule 737-025. The new funding source for infrastructure money is state highway funds. These have different constitutional restrictions than federal funds and the Rule must be amended to make it consistent with state laws. Projects on school grounds, bike racks, off-road improvements and planning studies will no longer be eligible for infrastructure funding. The Rulemaking Advisory Committee submitted the revised Rule to the Oregon Transportation Commission (OTC) in 2018.

The Oregon Transportation Commission (OTC), adopted the amended Oregon Safe Routes to School Rule (OAR 737-025) in 2018.

For more information read the updated rule, SRTS Notice Filing, or contact leeanne.fergason@odot.state.or.us​.


Advisory Committee

The Safe Routes to School Advisory Committee, or SRAC, consists of approximately 15 volunteers who have been appointed by the ODOT Director. The committee meets at least quarterly and is charged with recommending projects for funding in ODOT's Safe Routes to School Construction and Non-Construction Grant Programs. The committee is advisory to the Oregon Transportation Commission and ODOT

Active Grant Solicitations

The Rapid Response Construction Grant Program is now open for applications.

Non-Construction Program

The public call for Safe Routes to School Non-Infrastructure projects for the grant years of 2020-2022 closed on May 31, 2019. ODOT received 28 applications for the Safe Routes to School Non-Infrastructure Program totaling over $4.4 million in funding requests. The amount available for allocation is $2.3 million. ODOT staff reviewed, scored and ranked applications based on principles determined by the Safe Routes to School Advisory Committee (SRAC) and concurred with by the Oregon Traffic Safety Committee (OTSC). These principals where Safety, Equity, Communication, Collaboration and Coordination.
 
On July 9th, 2019, the SRAC convened to review all Non-Infrastructure applications along with the ODOT staff’s scoring and made an informed recommendation to the Transportation Safety Division for awards. The proposed list of eleven Non-Infrastructure projects for 2020-2022 was presented to the  OTSC for approval on August 14th. 

List of Funded Projects for 2020-2022

Program FAQ​

For more information, please see the ODOT News Release 

​Complete the Oregon Action Plan Template
An approved Action Plan must be received for every K-8 that is affected by the project proposal at the time of application. The Plan initiates evaluation and community involvement activities that prepare the school to seek SRTS project funds through the state program, or to implement SRTS projects and activities with other funding sources.

Oregon SRTS Travel Action Plan Template 2019
Oregon SRTS Travel Action Plan Guidance 2019
Student Tally Sheet
Parent Survey Form - English
Parent Survey Form - Spanish

Student Hand Tally and Parent Survey Forms
The National Center for Safe Routes to School Clearinghouse is the source for the forms. If you cannot download the forms from this webpage, the hand tally, parent survey, form instructions and data tools descriptions are available at saferoutesinfo or under NCSRTS Resources (Evaluation) topic. The returned tally forms and survey forms may be entered directly online at saferoutesdata.org or you may opt to mail in your surveys to the National SRTS Clearinghouse. For more information, visit the NCSRTS Resources (Evaluation) topic.

Recommendations developed from the Action Plan will range from infrastructure improvements to programmatic actions (education, encouragement and enforcement). The SRTS Program highly encourages infrastructure project applicants to also consider non-infrastructure (education, enforcement and evaluation components.

Say What You See - Is a new Safe Routes To School :30 TV PSA: Back to school time means more children and more cars on the road. This spot produced by Oregon Department of Transportation tells you how to play a game where everyone wins - children walking and biking to school, pedestrians, bicyclists, and all Oregonians — even Bigfoot!

​Let's Ride the School Bus - A tool for parents, teachers and school bus drivers. The video is a collaborative effort by the Oregon Department of Transportation, Safe Routes to School; the Oregon Department of Education, Pupil Transportation; and Commute Options.

Beacon Buddies Get a Brake - Funded by the Oregon Department of Transportation, Oregon Safe Routes to School and the U.S. DOT, this video demonstrates how rectangular, rapid flashing beacons work at a crosswalk.

​Say What You See Campaign

Infographic​ - Digital format only

Banners
 
Billboard/Bumper Stickers
 

Brochure

Slow Down in School Zones - Stock #330024
 
Coloring Sheet

Walking Safety​ - Digital format only
 
Posters
 
A Pathway to Safety - Game Theme - Digital format only
A Pathway to Safety - Map Theme - Digital format only
 
Social Media
 
School's In Watch Out for Kids 1 - Spanish - Digital format only
 

​Whether it's an entire community event or parents meeting at a park to walk with their kids, participating in this event shows the many benefits of walking or biking to school.

Below are some materials you can use to promote walking and biking in your community.

Poster

Look Out for Kids

Audio

Rise and Shine

For more information and to find out who is participating in Oregon, visit the Walk+Bike website.

Construction Program

ODOT's Safe Routes to School Construction Programs focus on addressing barriers to students walking and rolling to school. 

​Details about the current funding cycle can be found on the Grant Program pages linked above. In January of odd years, ODOT will announce the application process and timeline for the upcoming cycles. In addition ODOT will announce program application cycles as they open.​

The purpose of the SRTS Construction Program is to allow ODOT to distribute funds deposited into the SRTS fund in accordance with OAR 737-025. These funds are intended to build construction projects that address the needs of students that walk and bicycle to school considering the unique perspectives and behavior of children. The fund receives $10 million state highway dollars annually increasing to $15 million annually in 2023. The funds are divided into three different programs with different eligibility, application guidelines, and timelines:

Competitive Construction Grant Program​

The majority of the funds, 87.5 percent or greater, are used for a Competitive Grant Program to build street safety projects to reduce barriers and hazards for children walking or bicycling to or from schools.

Rapid Response Construction Grant Program​

Up to 10 percent of funds are used for urgent needs or systemic safety issues in between Competitive Program Grant cycles.

Project Identification Grant Program​

Up to 2.5 percent of funds are used by ODOT to help communities identify projects to reduce barriers and hazards for children walking or bicycling to and from school and that will lead to eventual construction. 

There are no workshops scheduled at this time.

Past Workshops

2020 Workshop content:

  • Workshop presentation PDF ​
  • Video clipart.png Recorded webinar - May 4, 2020
    Video information: This 1 hour 35-minute recording focuses on upcoming funding opportunities for ODOT's Safe Routes to School Construction Program. We will allocate $26 million in grants and select 30 communities to receive Safe Routes to School planning assistance this year. Please watch this video for more information about these opportunities. Important deadlines include June 15, 2020 and August 31, 2020. The webinar officially begins and 3:30. Project Identification Program (planning assistance) begins at 13:28; the Competitive Construction Grants Program begins at 21:59, specifics about the Rapid Response Grant Program begins at 47:39; tips for your proposals begins at 49:30. The Q&A begins at 1:11:32.​ ​

Additional Short Presentations

Video clipart.png2019 Virtual Workshop​ (38:20)

Project Administration

​Guidance

Forms

Resources

​Oregon Safe Routes to School supports the ODOT Safe Routes to School program and is funded through a grant. The website is a statewide approach to providing SRTS information with specific resources and stories from Oregon Communities.

ODOT Funded Safe Routes to School Projects​ site will track funded Safe Routes to Schools Infrastructure and Non-Infrastruture projects.

Safe Routes to School Applicant Resource Tool​

Education Program

Heidi Manlove
Program Manager
503-986-4196

Transportation Safety Division
ODOT-TLC Building, MS 3
4040 Fairview Industrial Drive SE
Salem, OR 97302-1142

Construction Program

LeeAnne Fergason
Safe Routes to School Program Manager
503-910-8994

Public Transportation Division
ODOT – Mill Creek Building
555 13th Street NE
Salem, OR 97301

Related Links

Transportation Safety Action Plan
Statewide Policy Plans
Bicycle and Pedestrian Program

Updates





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