SRTS Workshops

LTAP Recorded

SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL 101- For communities that are just getting started or are interested in supporting safe walking and bicycling for youth, this workshop provides an introduction to the Florida Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program.

HOW TO PLAN A WALK AND BIKE TO SCHOOL DAY - Student transportation safety has been a top priority throughout our Florida communities. The Florida Department of Transportation’s (FDOT) Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program has provided opportunities for schools and communities to work together, helping to improve safety for families walking and biking to school.

DATA ANALYSIS AND SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL

Data analysis is the process of systematically applying statistical and/or logical techniques to describe and illustrate, recap, and evaluate data. With so much data readily accessible these days, data analysis is key to condensing the information into an easy-to-understand format that can be used to achieve your goals.

In this webinar, we will talk about the purpose of data collection for a Safe Routes to School program and we will provide an overview of the data available to analyze walking and bicycle usage, safety, and infrastructure. Attendees will learn about interactive mapping tools, GIS, and other online portals that can help provide the information needed to develop policy campaigns, grant applications, or other proposals to advance Safe Routes to School in Florida. Attendees will also learn strategies for working with local government and other agencies.

HOW TO CREATE A WALKING/ROLLING SCHOOL BUS

A walking school bus (WSB) is a group of children walking to/from school under adult supervision. A WSB program promotes physical activity, teaches pedestrian safety skills, and helps reduce concerns about children traveling to/from school by having trained volunteers supervise. With increased school transportation budget cuts, many districts have eliminated courtesy bussing. As a result, the number of students walking/bicycling to and/or from school and those driven by parents has steadily increased. To help reduce traffic congestion around schools, walking school buses offer a practical travel option for those living near school. Many types of walking school buses have been successful, and each school’s WSB program may differ depending on the neighborhood, volunteers, traffic, and school.

This recorded webinar will discuss the purpose of the Florida Safe Routes to School WSB program and bicycle train program, how to identify barriers for walking and biking to plan a safe route, the steps involved in creating a WSB/bicycle train program and determine what type of WSB/bicycle train program is best for your school. This training is based on FDOT’s current Safe Routes to School Walking School Bus Program.

SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL FOR RURAL COMMUNITIES 2-PART WEBINAR SERIES

Safe Routes to School (SRTS) programs can succeed in rural areas. But ensuring that schoolchildren can get the benefits of walking and bicycling to school in rural communities requires wrestling with challenges and barriers that may be different than in other areas. In the first part of this webinar, we will go over the needs and benefits of SRTS in rural areas, safety education and partnership opportunities, challenges that may arise, specific approaches, and showcase successful rural examples. The second part of the webinar series will focus on the infrastructure side of SRTS in rural communities, and the variety of safety program elements that will enhance walking and biking safety for children and families.

SCHOOL SITING 2-PART WEBINAR SERIES

Traditionally, schools have been considered centers for communities and located within walking and bicycling distance of the students who the schools serve. State and local-level decisions regarding school siting, construction, and design have significant impacts on whether homes are located within walking and cycling distance of schools. The National Center for Education Statistics notes that the number of schools in the United States decreased from 262,000 in 1930 to 91,000 today, while student population over the same time has risen from 28 million to 53.5 million. As the average school size has grown, this trend reflects the consolidation of small schools and new schools increasingly located on large sites away from neighborhoods they serve as the student population continues to grow.

This school siting workshop encourages school districts, local governments, and the private sector to work together to improve school siting policies. This will assist decision-makers to take advantage of existing infrastructure that will enable walking and biking to school, avoid hazardous traffic conditions, promote orderly and efficient development in the region, and best serve and support students, families, and communities. This course is geared toward decision-makers and will provide information on which maintaining agencies should be included in their process and why. This two-part training will include consideration for livable communities, transportation concerns, and will distribute school siting and coordination handouts to attendees.