Connecticut

Connecticut SRTS Program

Managed by the Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT), Connecticut’s federally funded Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program is the source for state coordinator contact details, federal SRTS funding amounts, SRTS applications and guidelines, and state SRTS program information.

Quick Links

In the News  |  Connecticut SRTS Federal Funding
Application Guidelines  |  State Advisory Committee
State Outreach Programs  |  Evaluation Methods
Success Stories  |  Other Statewide and Regional Programs
Connecticut Partner Affiliates  |  Legislation and Policies

In the News

Connecticut Awards $2.8 Million in SRTS Funding in May

Nearly $2.8 million in funds were awarded by the Connecticut Department of Transportation’s Safe Routes to School Infrastructure program in May 2010 to construct bicycle and pedestrian safety improvements in the vicinity of various schools around the state. Bicycling and walking at schools in five communities will be supported through the construction of infrastructure projects. Safety improvement projects include sidewalks, raised crosswalks, speed tables, multi-use paths and a pedestrian bridge.

Several schools and communities have taken advantage of Connecticut’s free SRTS Noninfrastructure program assistance, which began in October 2009. Many schools have benefitted from school site engineering assessments, bike safety demonstrations and bike rodeos. The free Noninfrastructure assistance program will continue until Summer 2011.

Connecticut SRTS Federal Funding

Connecticut’s SRTS funding from FY2005-2009* totals $6,965,637 and includes the following annual apportionments:

* Funding for SRTS is being continued into FY2010 and FY2011 at FY2009 levels.

Application Guidelines

Beginning on March 14, 2011, applications will be solicited for $2.0 million in funding for federal fiscal years 2010-2011. Click here for more details.

Infrastructure Grant Program

Program requirements: A SRTS School Plan is a requirement to apply for infrastructure grants. Applications are submitted to the Department of Transportation through the Regional Planning Organizations for review. Applications are reviewed and assigned a rating and ranking by the Department of Transportation’s review panel. Top applications are short listed, and notified to hold a public informational meeting and submit a resolution from a governing body within three months of notification. Final project selections are made by the Bureau Chief of Policy and Planning.

Eligible reimbursement activities are now limited to construction items and activities. Preliminary Engineering and Rights of Way are not eligible for reimbursement. For federal fiscal years 2005-2009, over $5.0 million in SRTS infrastructure funding was awarded to benefit 20 eligible schools.

Non-infrastructure Grant Program/State Outreach Programs

In early 2009, a Connecticut SRTS Team was established to offer program assistance to schools wanting to develop SRTS plan or wanting assistance with the non-infrastructure components (Education, Encouragement, Enforcement, and Evaluation) of their SRTS program. The Connecticut SRTS Team is offering program assistance through a number of offerings that include:

• SRTS Overview Presentation and Q & A
• SRTS Committee and Champion Assistance
• SRTS Plan Walk Audit Support (Engineering Recommendation Assistance)
• SRTS Plan Mapping Support (Geographic Information Systems Software Assistance)
• Evaluation - Pre-/Post-Analysis of Success
• SRTS Plan Review and Critique
• Bicycle Education - Rodeo Event
• Walking Education - Structure Skills Practice
• Walking Education - Walking School Bus / Walk-to-School Event
• Encouragement Assembly / Walk Across America Contest

Some of these offerings, such as a bicycle rodeo event, are only available to schools who have adopted a SRTS Plan. Other offerings, such as mapping technical assistance, are open to any school wishing to develop a SRTS Plan. It is expected that a total of 30 schools will be able to participate in the non-infrastructure assistance program beginning in Fall 2009 through Summer 2011. To receive assistance from the CT SRTS Team eligible schools have to complete an online application to apply for one or more of the offerings.

State Advisory Committee

A SRTS Advisory Committee has been established to assist in the development and implementation of the SRTS program; seek other opportunities to expand SRTS funding and policies to achieve the goals of more children walking and bicycling to schools safely; and provide collaborative opportunities through its representative organizations.

The Committee is made up of volunteers from Department of Public Health Obesity and Injury Prevention Programs, Department of Education; Board of Education and Services for the Blind; Forest and Park Association; State Department of Environmental Protection’s No Child Left Inside Program; Governor’s Council on Fitness; Safe Kids Coalition; Kids Walk Safe and Regional Planning Organizations. Other supporting State and local organizations include: Connecticut Bicycle Coalition; Central Connecticut Bicycle Alliance; Connecticut Greenways; state and local law enforcement.

Evaluation Methods

For infrastructure grant applications, it is required that grantees submit existing parental surveys and student travel mode data prior to and one year after the completion of SRTS infrastructure projects. Connecticut encourages eligible schools to utilize the National Center for Safe Routes to Schools evaluation program to assist in analysis of parental surveys and student tally sheets.

Success Stories

Wilcoxson Students Pilot Walk-To-School Program

Many parents, siblings and four-legged friends have joined the Wilcoxson kids on the train since the program launched Oct. 6 2010, International Walk to School Day. The kick-off event drew participation from about 200 of the school’s 389 students.

"It’s a perfect way to build community," said Principal Deborah Dayo, bundled in a bright blue Wilcoxson Elementary School windbreaker. "The great part about it is that the older kids jump on and the little ones jump right in there, too."

Each train is staffed by at least two adult supervisors. Still, some parents have reservations about the program. "A lot of parents are fearful of letting their kids walk to school," said Kathy Maloney, mother to two Wilcoxson students and collaborator in the program development process. "They worry they might encounter an undesirable adult along the way. We’re trying to rid them of those fears."

Students who do not live in walking distance of the school board the walking train when they descend the bus. Teachers meet the students with a rope and send them off for three and a half laps around the school athletic field.

The non-mandatory program is the fruit of research and planning done by a committee comprised of teachers, parents, police officers, town employees and concerned citizens. Proponents aim to eventually extend the program throughout the year once they figure out how to deal with biting temperatures and icy sidewalks. Then, if the program is successful, its coordinators hope to introduce it to the rest of the district.

"It’s nice to do it once, but really the benefit will come from doing it consistently," Maloney said. "That’s what we’re working toward."

Skinner Road School, Vernon: Walk To School Day

A goal of Skinner Road’s Walk to School Day was for one school bus, typically filled with children, to be empty. On the day of the event, Oct. 3, 2007, the school officials exceeded their goal by having two empty school buses and more than 300 students, which is 94 percent of the student body walking to school the day of the event.

With the incorporation of healthy messages and activities into all aspects of the school, from recess to the classroom and to the journey to and from school, Skinner Road has seen a marked improvement in the health of its students. In 2004, Skinner Road had 2.4 percent of its students passing all four parts of the fourth grade fitness test. This number increased to 36 percent in 2006 and then to 42 percent in 2007.

The SRTS program began with the belief that healthier children learn better, and this belief turned into reality with the students’ improved academic performance. Once among the poorest performing schools in the district, now Skinner Road is among the best schools. From 2006 to 2007, the school demonstrated significant improvements in mathematics, reading, and writing among students in the third, fourth, and fifth grade. While walking and bicycling to school is not the only factor contributing to the improved fitness and academic scores, the school administration at Skinner Road believes the SRTS program is partly to thank.

Contact:

Judi Manfre, School Nurse
Skinner Road School
90 Skinner Road
Vernon, CT 06066
Phone: 860-870-6180
Email: Judith.manfre@vernonct.org

Other Statewide and Regional Programs

Board of Education and Services for the Blind
Central Connecticut Bicycle Alliance
Connecticut Bicycle Coalition
Connecticut Greenways Council
Department of Education
Department of Environmental Protection, No Child Left Inside
Department of Public Health
Department of Public Health, Injury Prevention
Department of Public Health, Obesity Program
Department of Public Health, Eastern Health District
Forest and Park Association
Safe Kids Coalition
T2 Center

Connecticut Partner Affiliates

Find out which organizations in your state have pledged their support for the Safe Routes to School movement.

Legislation and Policies

The new law – Senate Bill 735, An Act Improving Bicycle and Pedestrian Access – took effect on July 1, 2009:

To enhance nonmotorized transportation alternatives, promote healthy lifestyles, encourage smart growth and reduce congestion by adopting a complete streets policy, establishing a permanent bicycle and pedestrian advisory committee, devoting a minimum percentage of funds to programs that improve bicycle and pedestrian access and authorizing the issuance of Share the Road number plates.

Beginning October 1, 2010, a minimum of 1 percent of the total funds received by the DOT or Connecticut municipality in any fiscal year for street and highway construction, restoration, rehabilitation or relocation must be spent to provide facilities for “all users” – including bikeways and sidewalks with curb cuts or ramps.

The law makes exceptions for resurfacing and for emergency repairs and other special situations, such as roads where non-motorized use is prohibited or the costs of “all-user” accommodations would be prohibitive.

“Walking and bicycling are more than healthy lifestyle choices – for many Connecticut commuters, they are the way to get to work,” Governor Rell said. “We want to encourage that, not only because it’s good for personal fitness but because it removes congestion from our highways and pollutants – including greenhouse gases – from our skies. The bill also dovetails neatly with my Administration’s emphasis on smart growth and transit-oriented development, which calls for communities that make it easier for people to get to work, home and shopping without having to drive.

“In addition, this bill creates a new, 11-member panel to ensure that the focus on ‘all-user’ transportation options continues to be a priority,” the Governor said. “The panel will promote programs and facilities that encourage alternatives to driving and help the state develop the best ways to promote this important option.”

Under the bill, the DOT will also be required to report – once by October 1, 2009, and again by October 1, 2010 – on state- or federally funded projects that have been undertaken that contain bicycle and pedestrian access.

Public Act 08-01

This enacted a new law in Connecticut, effective October 1, 2008, which requires motorists to allow at least three feet of separation when overtaking and passing cyclists on state roads. Failure to do so could cause motorists to receive a fine. Because of the large disparities in size, weight and speed between bicycles and motor vehicles, this new law strives to enhance motorist awareness of cyclists sharing the road, and make conditions safer by establishing the designated separation.

Governor M. Jodi Rell has stressed the need to accommodate bicyclists, pedestrians, and motorists on Connecticut roadways. Another component of the law requires the ConnDOT to initiate a “Share the Road” campaign to educate motorists and cyclists of their responsibilities and needs, and to encourage the public to adopt practices which make travel safer for all roadway users. Connecticut Department of Transportation (ConnDOT) has taken steps to secure initial financing to implement a pilot program, which will likely be conducted in the greater Hartford area in the Spring 2009. The hope is that the pilot program will support a more extensive follow up initiative.

Department of Motor Vehicle Drivers Manual

New language has been incorporated into the latest version (October 2008) of Connecticut’s Department of Motor Vehicle Drivers Manual. Language addresses pedestrian and bicyclist rights and responsibilities, and related motorist responsibilities on the roads of the state.