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SAFETEA-LU
Safe Routes to School Federal Legislation Included in SAFETEA-LU Transportation Law
In a sweeping effort to get more children walking and bicycling to schools across America, Congress approved $612 million for a new Safe Routes to School program as part of the federal transportation bill which was adopted on July 29, 2005, and signed by the president August 10, 2005.
The new federal Safe Routes to School program has been applauded by bicycle and pedestrian enthusiasts across America who are looking forward to the opportunity to get more children back onto their feet and bikes. What follows is a brief summary of the provisions for Safe Routes to School in the transportation bill.
The federal legislation was designed to benefit children in primary and middle schools, and the $612 million in funds will be distributed over a five-year time period. The purposes of the program, as stated in the bill are:
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to enable and encourage children, including those with disabilities, to walk and bicycle to school;
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to make bicycling and walking to school a safer and more appealing transportation alternative, thereby encouraging a healthy and active lifestyle from an early age; and
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to facilitate the planning, development, and implementation of projects and activities that will improve safety and reduce traffic, fuel consumption, air pollution in the vicinity of schools.
Funding will be provided to the State Departments of Transportation (DOTs) in all 50 states on a formula basis calculated from school enrollment. In order to ensure enough funds to create a substantial program, each state will receive a minimum of $1,000,000 per fiscal year for program implementation. State DOTs may make grants to state, local, and regional agencies, including nonprofit organizations, to implement Safe Routes to School programs. The federal share for the grant is 100%.
Eligible activities for funding under Safe Routes to School include both infrastructure projects and non-infrastructure related activities as follows
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Infrastructure: Funds may be used for the planning, design and construction of projects that will substantially improve the ability of students to walk and bicycle to school, including sidewalks improvement, traffic calming, speed reduction improvements, street crossings, on-street bicycle facilities, off-street bicycle and pedestrian facilities, secure bicycle parking, and traffic diversion improvements in the vicinity of schools.
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Non-infrastructure: Funds may be used to encourage walking and bicycling to school, including public awareness campaigns, outreach to press and community leaders, traffic education and enforcement in the vicinity of schools, student sessions on bicycle and pedestrian safety, health, and environment, as well as funding for trainings, volunteers, and managers of Safe Routes to School programs. From 10 to 30% of the amount apportioned to each state will be used on non-infrastructure related activities.
The federal Safe Routes to School program further establishes a National Safe Routes to School Clearinghouse to develop information and educational programs on Safe Routes to School, and to provide technical assistance and disseminate techniques and strategies used for successful Safe Routes to School programs.
Each state is also required to create a full-time position for a Safe Routes to School coordinator, which will establish a point-person for Safe Routes to School within each Department of Transportation in all fifty states.
The legislation further indicates that the Secretary of Transportation shall establish a national Safe Routes to School Task Force to study and develop a strategy for advancing Safe Routes to School programs nationwide. The Task Force is to be comprised of leaders in health, transportation, and education, including representatives of appropriate Federal agencies. A report from this Task Force is due to Congress no later than March 31, 2006.
View the entire text of section 1404, the Safe Routes to School provision in SAFETEA-LU.
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