Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania SRTS State Network
Pennsylvania is one of twenty jurisdictions participating in the SRTS National Partnership Network Project. This initiative creates state networks that bring together advocacy groups, government agencies, and other leaders.

Pennsylvania SRTS Program
Pennsylvania is one of the twenty jurisdictions participating in the SRTS National Partnership State Network Project. The SRTS State Network Organizer works for their sponsoring organization, which is under contract with the SRTS National Partnership.

Pennsylvania Partner Affiliates
Find out which organizations in your state have pledged their support as partner affiliates of the Safe Routes to School National Partnership.

Pennsylvania SRTS State Network

Pennsylvania is one of the twenty jurisdictions participating in the SRTS National Partnership State Network Project. The SRTS State Network Organizer works for their sponsoring organization, which is under contract with the SRTS National Partnership.

Pennsylvania State Network Partners

Commuter Services of Pennsylvania
Greater Valley Forge Transportation Management Association
League of Lancaster Bicyclists
Pennsylvania DCNR (Department of Conservation and Natural Resources)
Pennsylvania Environmental Council
Pennsylvania Safe Routes to School Resource Center
Safe Kids Coalition

Pennsylvania SRTS Program

Managed by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), Pennsylvania’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

Pennsylvania SRTS Federal Funding  |  Application Guidelines
Success Stories and Best Practices  |  Pennsylvania Partner Affiliates

Pennsylvania SRTS Federal Funding

Pennsylvania’s SRTS funding from FY2005-2009* totals $20,932,175 and includes the following annual apportionments:

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

Application Guidelines

Since the inception of the Federal Safe Routes to School program in 2005, PennDOT has committed nearly $20 million to 70 projects that will enable and encourage children to safely walk or bicycle to school. These projects, which are currently being implemented across the Commonwealth, utilize funding allocated to Pennsylvania through the nation’s federal transportation bill, SAFETEA-LU. The bill, having expired on September 30, 2009, is now in its fourth short term extension, while Congress formulates new multi-year legislation that will continue to provide funding for various forms of transportation. During this time, PennDOT will not move forward with any new funding rounds, due to the uncertain nature of how SRTS – as well as similar programs – will be funded in the pending legislation.

For more information about infrastructure funding opportunities in Pennsylvania, please visit Pennsylvania’s Safe Routes to School website.

In 2011, PennDOT awarded a new contract to manage the state SRTS outreach program to the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors (PSATS). A website containing all the program information has been developed, with much of the content already available. New elements for their program will include enhanced bicycling safety based on a train-the-trainer model, offered during the Fall of 2011. Crossing guard training will be made available in the Spring of 2012.. Non-infrastructure grants will be made available on October 5th, 2011.

To date, five projects from Pennsylvania’s 2005-2006 Transportation Enhancements funding round were selected to receive federal SRTS funding, since they meet the federal requirements. The total cost of the projects is $1,196,687.

Prior to 2011, the state outreach program was administered by Pennsylvania Advocates for Nutrition and Activity (PANA), now part of the Penn State Hershey Center for Nutrition and Activity Promotion. With funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration, PANA provided small grants, technical support, training opportunities and resources to schools, K-8, that are committed to environmental and policy changes designed to promote walking and bicycling to school.

In November 2009, PANA in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) awarded 30 grants to over 30 schools across Pennsylvania, totaling $150,000. Each school received $5,000 to use towards Education, Encouragement, Enforcement, and Evaluation activities. In addition to the $5,000 grant, each school received a free two-day walkability audit, during which a team of trained experts (engineers, transportation planners, and advocates) observed main walking routes to school and developed a comprehensive plan on how to improve the safety of those routes through infrastructure changes. For more information, please read the press release. In 2008, the Center awarded 11 mini-grants to schools across Pennsylvania.

Success Stories and Best Practices

State Board of Education Approves New Nutrition and Activity Regulations for Schools
The Pennsylvania State Board of Education voted overwhelmingly to advance the most comprehensive school nutrition and physical activity standards in the country. These standards will significantly improve the nutrition environments in our schools and ensure that all children get at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity every school day. Click the following links to view a copy of the new standards and press release.

CONTACT:
Everette James | Secretary of Health
PA Department of Health
7th & Forster Streets | Harrisburg, PA 17120
Phone: 717.787.6436 | Fax: 717.787.0191
www.health.state.pa.us

New Walking Encouragement Program at Mt. Penn Elementary School - July 2009

Pennsylvania Partner Affiliates

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