Rhode Island
Rhode Island SRTS Program
Managed by the Rhode Island Department of Transportation and the Rhode Island Statewide Planning Program, Rhode Island’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
Rhode Island SRTS Federal Funding | In the News
Application Guidelines | State Advisory Committee
State Outreach Programs | Evaluation Methods
Rhode Island Partner Affiliates | Legislation and Policies
Rhode Island SRTS Federal Funding
Rhode Island’s SRTS funding from FY2005-2009* totals $4,990,000 and includes the following annual apportionments:
| 2005 Actual | 2006 Actual | 2007 Actual | 2008 Actual | 2009 Actual |
| $1,000,000 | $990,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
* Funding for SRTS is being continued into FY2010 at FY2009 levels.
In the News
Rhode Island Awards $2 Million for Safe Routes to School Projects
Kids at 16 schools will be able to walk and bicycle more safely as a result.
The Rhode Island Statewide Planning Program together with the Rhode Island Department of Transportation announced the 2010 Safe Routes to School grant award recipients at a public ceremony held in celebration of International Walk to School Day. The Safe Routes to School program granted more than $2 million to encourage and enable more of Rhode Island’s children to safely walk and bicycle to 16 elementary and middle schools in 10 municipalities.
Selected from 24 proposals requesting more than $4.5 million, proposals funded include bike racks, crosswalks, signage, sidewalks, walkways, bike path bridge construction and various education and encouragement activities.
Rhode Island DOT Director Michael Lewis added, “Safer routes to school should not just be a slogan but a way of life. Having healthier students and a better pathway to get them to school is what these grants are all about.”
Application Guidelines
Rhode Island’s first call for applications was in the spring of 2007. Awards were announced in the fall 2007. Implementation is in process or completed on the various SRTS programs. Rhode Island issued the second call for proposals in November 2009 and awards were announced in the fall of 2010. It is expected that the second half of the initial five year funding cycle will be awarded at that time.
The single application for both infrastructure and non-infrastructure projects includes a Program Overview and an Information and Application Guide. Rhode Island’s program is school-focused and applicants must identify the school or schools that will be the focus of the application. The specific school and city or town should be listed as two of the applicants. The SRTS teams for each school are required to include the school principal and a law enforcement official from the city or town. If infrastructure funds are applied for, a municipal public works or engineering representative is required to be part of the team.
For more information, please see the Rhode Island SRTS program.
State Advisory Committee
The Rhode Island SRTS program is governed by a steering committee that includes: the Rhode Island Statewide Planning Program, the Rhode Island DOT (including staff engineers and the Office of Highway Safety), the Departments of Health and Education, a city engineer, traffic safety agency (AAA), a law enforcement representative, school representative (school nurse), town planner, non-profit organization (Kids First), bike/walk advocacy group (Grow Smart Rhode Island), and FHWA. There are plans to add more school and parent representatives as well as someone with experience with children with disabilities.
State Outreach Programs
As part of the initial call for applications, Rhode Island offers the National Training Course (one day workshop) as an option. There will be a limited number of these training courses open to successful applicants (to be school site based) as well as workshops for those who want to begin their planning before applying for the next round for grants.
All schools that host a workshop will be required to have their “team” participate. If the demand exceeds the number of workshops offered this first round, Rhode Island will have a limited number of seats available for representatives of other schools and towns. The need for additional outreach and training will be reviewed for future offerings.
Evaluation Methods
As one of the 5Es, evaluation information is asked for in the application process. Rhode Island offers the School Travel Survey as optional in the application phase. The survey as developed by the National Center for SRTS will be required for the implementation phase. Rhode Island is waiting to see what other evaluation tools are developed by the National Center.
Rhode Island Partner Affiliates
Find out which organizations in your state have pledged their support for the Safe Routes to School movement.
Legislation and Policies
The Rhode Island Department of Education instituted new guidelines for siting new schools that incorporate Smart Growth principles. The new Land Use Plan developed by the Rhode Island Statewide Planning Program also includes Smart Growth principles.