An Analytical Review of Child Mobility Assessments for School Site Programs

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General Information
Study Number: TPF-5(172)
Former Study Number:
Lead Organization: Washington State Department of Transportation
Solicitation Number: 1126
Partners: AK, FL, MS, TX, WA, WI
Status: Closed
Est. Completion Date:
Contract/Other Number:
Last Updated: Jul 10, 2014
Contract End Date:
Financial Summary
Contract Amount: $60,000.00
Suggested Contribution:
Total Commitments Received: $170,000.00
100% SP&R Approval: Approved
Contact Information
Lead Study Contact(s): Charlotte Claybrooke
claybrc@wsdot.wa.gov
Phone: 360.705.7302
Study Champion(s): Kristy Vargas
VargasK@wsdot.wa.gov
Organization Year Commitments Technical Contact Name Funding Contact Name
Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities 2010 $20,000.00 Steven Soenksen Steven Soenksen
Florida Department of Transportation 2007 $10,000.00 Pat Pieratte Patti Brannon
Florida Department of Transportation 2008 $10,000.00 Pat Pieratte Patti Brannon
Florida Department of Transportation 2009 $10,000.00 Pat Pieratte Patti Brannon
Florida Department of Transportation 2010 $10,000.00 Pat Pieratte Patti Brannon
Mississippi Department of Transportation 2009 $10,000.00 Cookie Leffler James Watkins
Mississippi Department of Transportation 2010 $10,000.00 Cookie Leffler James Watkins
Texas Department of Transportation 2007 $10,000.00 Debra Vermillion Ned Mattila
Texas Department of Transportation 2008 $10,000.00 Debra Vermillion Ned Mattila
Texas Department of Transportation 2010 $10,000.00 Debra Vermillion Ned Mattila
Texas Department of Transportation 2011 $10,000.00 Debra Vermillion Ned Mattila
Washington State Department of Transportation 2007 $10,000.00 Charlotte Claybrooke Tim Carlile
Washington State Department of Transportation 2008 $10,000.00 Charlotte Claybrooke Tim Carlile
Washington State Department of Transportation 2009 $10,000.00 Charlotte Claybrooke Tim Carlile
Wisconsin Department of Transportation 2009 $10,000.00 Renee Callaway Lori Richter
Wisconsin Department of Transportation 2011 $10,000.00 Renee Callaway Lori Richter

Study Description

Thirty years ago, most children who lived within a mile of school used active transportation (i.e., walking or bicycling) to get to school (USDOT, 1972). In recent years, the rate of active transport to schools has declined dramatically. Traffic volumes and speed associated with school environments have worsened over the past decades. Increasing numbers of children being driven to schools by their caretakers has contributed to worsening traffic congestion and increases in obesity and respiratory diseases related to poor air quality. This project would serve to address those concerns and strengthen the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program to increase the numbers of children walking and biking to school safely.

Objectives

The TPF project is to support state-level management of the Federal Safe Routes to School Program. The overall thrust of the project is to provide State DOTs with: (1) Tools for establishing benchmarks of children walking and biking to school. This includes identifying existing sources of data, potential sources of data, and data collection methods. (2) Recommendations for future allocation of SRTS funds so that grants will be awarded to the most effective projects. This includes, but is not limited to identifying the impact of potential barriers to success, such as age of children, size of schools, maximum walking distances, transportation infrastructure, number of children living within a mile of school, program planning requirements, etc. (3) Methods and tools to continue to evaluate the effectiveness of SRTS investments. This includes, but is not limited to, identifying methods for obtaining counts of children walking/biking to school, recommending requirements for schools applying to the program, and recommending methods for schools to measure the effect of SRTS. The project consists of two phases. Phase one, which is nearing completion, focused on item (1). Phase two will focus on items (2) and (3).

Scope of Work

The second phase of the study will build off the work of phase one. Information will be developed to support the establishment of measurable targets for non-motorized travel to school, based, for example, on the age range of the school population, the school size and location, student/parent travel options, and other factors. From phase one, we learned that the major BARRIERS to increasing the number of children walking to school are: * The distance children live from school (with the consolidation of schools over time, and the building of new schools outside the urban core, children live farther away from their school than in the past), * Fewer children from higher income families walk to school than children from lower income families, * Parents fears for the safety of their children from traffic and crime * Parents schedules and values may influence when and how children travel to school. In phase two, we will identify methods to address these barriers so that SRTS programs and projects target what can realistically be achieved. Phase two includes specific objectives to identify methods and criteria for determining the community and school characteristics that would best support INCREASES in the number of children walking and biking to school on a statewide basis. This may include, but is not limited to, socio-economic characteristics, the number of children living within a defined distance of school grounds, presence of sidewalks and safe crossings, parent and teacher involvement, etc. Phase two will consist of the following tasks: Task 1: Continue to analyze data available at the national and state levels. The analyses will focus on two issues: (1) The best, most cost-effective way to get information about the number of children walking and biking to school in a state. We will provide input about the results and the quality of the information collected. (2) We will also investigate how barriers to increasing the number of children walking to school can be addressed in future SRTS programs. Task 2: Analyze new data available from SRTS programs and projects in participating states. Task 3: Develop recommendations for future allocation of SRTS funds and identify "best practices." Recommendations will be made in response to the question, "What information should be used to identify projects that will be the best use of program funds?"; We will look at SRTS project outcomes, community characteristics, opportunities to walk/bike, and perceived safety. We will also identify other programs or projects that may complement SRTS projects and ways in which barriers to increasing the number of children walking to school may be addressed. Task 4: Develop methods and tools to evaluate the effectiveness of SRTS investments. Task 5: Explore the role of regional and local agencies in supporting the SRTS program.

Comments

$60,000 for Phase II ($120,000 total for this pooled fund project.) Suggested contribution for Phase II is $10,000/yr for each of 2 years - total of $60,000 minimum for Phase II.

Documents Attached
Title File/Link Type Privacy Download
Closeout Letter TPF-5(172) -- Close out Memo - Signed.pdf Memorandum Public
Funding Reconciliation Report TPF-5(172) Funding Reconciliation.xls Other Public
TPF-5(172) Final Quarterly Report, August 2012 TPF-5(172) Quarterly Report - August FINAL Rev.2012.docx Quarterly Progress Report Public
TPF-5(172) Quarterly Report April-June 2012 TPF-5(172) Quarterly Report - July 2012rev.docx Quarterly Progress Report Public
Moving Forward: Safe Routes to School Progress in Five States http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Research/Reports/700/743.3.htm Final Report Public
TPF-5(172) Quarterly Report Jan-Mar 2012 TPF Quarterly Report Jan. to Mar. 2012.docx Quarterly Progress Report Public
Quarterly Report: October - December 2011 TPF-5(172) Quarterly Report - January 2012.docx Quarterly Progress Report Public
Quarterly Report: July - Sept 2011 TPF Quarterly Report - September 2011.docx Quarterly Progress Report Public
Quarterly Report: April - June 2011 TPFQuarterlyReportSpring 2011.pdf Quarterly Progress Report Public
Quarterly Report: January - March 2011 TPFQuarterlyReportWinter2011.pdf Quarterly Progress Report Public
PHASE I REPORT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/research/reports/fullreports/743.1.pdf Report Public
Progress Report: July 1 - September 30 2010 TPFQuarterlyReportSummer2010.pdf Quarterly Progress Report Public
Quarterly Report: March 2010 TPFWinter2010Report.pdf Quarterly Progress Report Public
Quarterly Report: December 2009 TPFChildMobilityDececmber2009Report.pdf Quarterly Progress Report Public
Quarterly Report: September 2009 Qtrly_Report_2009-09.pdf Quarterly Progress Report Public
Quarterly Report: June 2009 Qtrly_Report_2009-06.pdf Quarterly Progress Report Public
Quarterly Report: April 2009 Qtrly_Report_2009-04.pdf Quarterly Progress Report Public
Phase 1 Solicitation Document Phase_1_Solicitation.pdf Other Public
Quarterly Report: January 2009 Qtrly_Report_2009-01.pdf Quarterly Progress Report Public
Quarterly Report: October 2008 Qtrly_Report_2008-10.pdf Quarterly Progress Report Public
Quarterly Report: April 2008 Qtrly_Report_2008-04.pdf Quarterly Progress Report Public
Quarterly Report: January 2008 Qtrly_Report_2008-01.pdf Quarterly Progress Report Public
Acceptance Memo Acceptance_Memo.pdf Memorandum Public

No document attached.

An Analytical Review of Child Mobility Assessments for School Site Programs

General Information
Study Number: TPF-5(172)
Lead Organization: Washington State Department of Transportation
Solicitation Number: 1126
Partners: AK, FL, MS, TX, WA, WI
Status: Closed
Est. Completion Date:
Contract/Other Number:
Last Updated: Jul 10, 2014
Contract End Date:
Financial Summary
Contract Amount: $60,000.00
Total Commitments Received: $170,000.00
100% SP&R Approval:
Contact Information
Lead Study Contact(s): Charlotte Claybrooke
claybrc@wsdot.wa.gov
Phone: 360.705.7302
Commitments by Organizations
Organization Year Commitments Technical Contact Name Funding Contact Name Contact Number Email Address
Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities 2010 $20,000.00 Steven Soenksen Steven Soenksen 907-465-4069 steve.soenksen@alaska.gov
Florida Department of Transportation 2007 $10,000.00 Pat Pieratte Patti Brannon 850-414-4616 patti.brannon@dot.state.fl.us
Florida Department of Transportation 2008 $10,000.00 Pat Pieratte Patti Brannon 850-414-4616 patti.brannon@dot.state.fl.us
Florida Department of Transportation 2009 $10,000.00 Pat Pieratte Patti Brannon 850-414-4616 patti.brannon@dot.state.fl.us
Florida Department of Transportation 2010 $10,000.00 Pat Pieratte Patti Brannon 850-414-4616 patti.brannon@dot.state.fl.us
Mississippi Department of Transportation 2009 $10,000.00 Cookie Leffler James Watkins 601-359-7650 jwatkins@mdot.state.ms.us
Mississippi Department of Transportation 2010 $10,000.00 Cookie Leffler James Watkins 601-359-7650 jwatkins@mdot.state.ms.us
Texas Department of Transportation 2007 $10,000.00 Debra Vermillion Ned Mattila 512-416-4727 ned.mattila@txdot.gov
Texas Department of Transportation 2008 $10,000.00 Debra Vermillion Ned Mattila 512-416-4727 ned.mattila@txdot.gov
Texas Department of Transportation 2010 $10,000.00 Debra Vermillion Ned Mattila 512-416-4727 ned.mattila@txdot.gov
Texas Department of Transportation 2011 $10,000.00 Debra Vermillion Ned Mattila 512-416-4727 ned.mattila@txdot.gov
Washington State Department of Transportation 2007 $10,000.00 Charlotte Claybrooke Tim Carlile 360-705-7975 carlilt@wsdot.wa.gov
Washington State Department of Transportation 2008 $10,000.00 Charlotte Claybrooke Tim Carlile 360-705-7975 carlilt@wsdot.wa.gov
Washington State Department of Transportation 2009 $10,000.00 Charlotte Claybrooke Tim Carlile 360-705-7975 carlilt@wsdot.wa.gov
Wisconsin Department of Transportation 2009 $10,000.00 Renee Callaway Lori Richter 608-264-8435 lori.richter@dot.wi.gov
Wisconsin Department of Transportation 2011 $10,000.00 Renee Callaway Lori Richter 608-264-8435 lori.richter@dot.wi.gov

Study Description

Study Description

Thirty years ago, most children who lived within a mile of school used active transportation (i.e., walking or bicycling) to get to school (USDOT, 1972). In recent years, the rate of active transport to schools has declined dramatically. Traffic volumes and speed associated with school environments have worsened over the past decades. Increasing numbers of children being driven to schools by their caretakers has contributed to worsening traffic congestion and increases in obesity and respiratory diseases related to poor air quality. This project would serve to address those concerns and strengthen the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program to increase the numbers of children walking and biking to school safely.

Objectives

The TPF project is to support state-level management of the Federal Safe Routes to School Program. The overall thrust of the project is to provide State DOTs with: (1) Tools for establishing benchmarks of children walking and biking to school. This includes identifying existing sources of data, potential sources of data, and data collection methods. (2) Recommendations for future allocation of SRTS funds so that grants will be awarded to the most effective projects. This includes, but is not limited to identifying the impact of potential barriers to success, such as age of children, size of schools, maximum walking distances, transportation infrastructure, number of children living within a mile of school, program planning requirements, etc. (3) Methods and tools to continue to evaluate the effectiveness of SRTS investments. This includes, but is not limited to, identifying methods for obtaining counts of children walking/biking to school, recommending requirements for schools applying to the program, and recommending methods for schools to measure the effect of SRTS. The project consists of two phases. Phase one, which is nearing completion, focused on item (1). Phase two will focus on items (2) and (3).

Scope of Work

The second phase of the study will build off the work of phase one. Information will be developed to support the establishment of measurable targets for non-motorized travel to school, based, for example, on the age range of the school population, the school size and location, student/parent travel options, and other factors. From phase one, we learned that the major BARRIERS to increasing the number of children walking to school are: * The distance children live from school (with the consolidation of schools over time, and the building of new schools outside the urban core, children live farther away from their school than in the past), * Fewer children from higher income families walk to school than children from lower income families, * Parents fears for the safety of their children from traffic and crime * Parents schedules and values may influence when and how children travel to school. In phase two, we will identify methods to address these barriers so that SRTS programs and projects target what can realistically be achieved. Phase two includes specific objectives to identify methods and criteria for determining the community and school characteristics that would best support INCREASES in the number of children walking and biking to school on a statewide basis. This may include, but is not limited to, socio-economic characteristics, the number of children living within a defined distance of school grounds, presence of sidewalks and safe crossings, parent and teacher involvement, etc. Phase two will consist of the following tasks: Task 1: Continue to analyze data available at the national and state levels. The analyses will focus on two issues: (1) The best, most cost-effective way to get information about the number of children walking and biking to school in a state. We will provide input about the results and the quality of the information collected. (2) We will also investigate how barriers to increasing the number of children walking to school can be addressed in future SRTS programs. Task 2: Analyze new data available from SRTS programs and projects in participating states. Task 3: Develop recommendations for future allocation of SRTS funds and identify "best practices." Recommendations will be made in response to the question, "What information should be used to identify projects that will be the best use of program funds?"; We will look at SRTS project outcomes, community characteristics, opportunities to walk/bike, and perceived safety. We will also identify other programs or projects that may complement SRTS projects and ways in which barriers to increasing the number of children walking to school may be addressed. Task 4: Develop methods and tools to evaluate the effectiveness of SRTS investments. Task 5: Explore the role of regional and local agencies in supporting the SRTS program.

Comments

$60,000 for Phase II ($120,000 total for this pooled fund project.) Suggested contribution for Phase II is $10,000/yr for each of 2 years - total of $60,000 minimum for Phase II.

Title File/Link Type Private
Moving Forward: Safe Routes to School Progress in Five States Final Report Public
Acceptance Memo Acceptance_Memo.pdf Memorandum Public
Closeout Letter TPF-5(172) -- Close out Memo - Signed.pdf Memorandum Public
Phase 1 Solicitation Document Phase_1_Solicitation.pdf Other Public
Funding Reconciliation Report TPF-5(172) Funding Reconciliation.xls Other Public
Quarterly Report: January 2008 Qtrly_Report_2008-01.pdf Quarterly Progress Report Public
Quarterly Report: April 2008 Qtrly_Report_2008-04.pdf Quarterly Progress Report Public
Quarterly Report: October 2008 Qtrly_Report_2008-10.pdf Quarterly Progress Report Public
Quarterly Report: January 2009 Qtrly_Report_2009-01.pdf Quarterly Progress Report Public
Quarterly Report: April 2009 Qtrly_Report_2009-04.pdf Quarterly Progress Report Public
Quarterly Report: June 2009 Qtrly_Report_2009-06.pdf Quarterly Progress Report Public
Quarterly Report: September 2009 Qtrly_Report_2009-09.pdf Quarterly Progress Report Public
Quarterly Report: December 2009 TPFChildMobilityDececmber2009Report.pdf Quarterly Progress Report Public
Quarterly Report: March 2010 TPFWinter2010Report.pdf Quarterly Progress Report Public
Progress Report: July 1 - September 30 2010 TPFQuarterlyReportSummer2010.pdf Quarterly Progress Report Public
Quarterly Report: January - March 2011 TPFQuarterlyReportWinter2011.pdf Quarterly Progress Report Public
Quarterly Report: April - June 2011 TPFQuarterlyReportSpring 2011.pdf Quarterly Progress Report Public
Quarterly Report: July - Sept 2011 TPF Quarterly Report - September 2011.docx Quarterly Progress Report Public
Quarterly Report: October - December 2011 TPF-5(172) Quarterly Report - January 2012.docx Quarterly Progress Report Public
TPF-5(172) Quarterly Report Jan-Mar 2012 TPF Quarterly Report Jan. to Mar. 2012.docx Quarterly Progress Report Public
TPF-5(172) Quarterly Report April-June 2012 TPF-5(172) Quarterly Report - July 2012rev.docx Quarterly Progress Report Public
TPF-5(172) Final Quarterly Report, August 2012 TPF-5(172) Quarterly Report - August FINAL Rev.2012.docx Quarterly Progress Report Public
PHASE I REPORT Report Public
No document attached.

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