Bicycle and Pedestrian Program
Tennessee Safe Routes to School
Program
The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT)
will introduce a new grant program this year focused on increasing
levels of walking and bicycling to school among elementary and
middle school students. The Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program is
a federally funded program authorized by transportation legislation
passed in 2005. In addition to improving children's safety and
health, the program is designed to reduce traffic, fuel
consumption, and air pollution in the vicinity of schools.
Building on local initiatives, the SRTS program
will fund the planning, development and implementation of
infrastructure projects as well as education and outreach
activities. Examples of eligible infrastructure projects include
sidewalk improvements, traffic calming and speed reduction
improvements, and pedestrian and bicycle crossing improvements.
Importantly, the program will also provide money for activities to
encourage safe walking and bicycling to school, including public
awareness campaigns and outreach to press and community leaders,
traffic education and enforcement around schools, and student
sessions on bicycle and pedestrian safety.
Nationally, the percentage of children considered
severely overweight has tripled over the past 30 years, while the
percentage of children walking to school has declined from 42% to
16%. Improving walking and bicycling conditions to school not only
helps children lead safe, active and healthy lives, but also
addresses other community issues such as air pollution and traffic
congestion. Today, parents driving their children to school account
for 20%-25% of morning rush hour traffic. The new Safe Routes to
School Program will rely on a broad range of expertise from
professionals, including health, education, safety and
transportation, and community-based groups.
Tennessee will receive approximately $10.7
million over 5 years for the Safe Routes to School program. TDOT
will officially launch the Tennessee Safe Routes to School Program
in Autumn 2006 with a call for applications.
Please check this page regularly for updates on
the program, including dates and times for Safe Routes to School
training sessions to be held in Knoxville, Chattanooga, Nashville,
Memphis and Jackson in the coming months.
