Idaho's Program

About Idaho's Program

Idaho receives approximately $1 million per year for Safe Routes to School projects. Funds are awarded through a competitive application process. Training and support are available for all funded and non-funded projects.

Projects that are eligible for funding can fall into two main categories:

1. Infrastructure projects such as engineering improvements. These projects can be funded up to $100,000.
2. Non-infrastructure projects such as education, and encouragement activities. These projects can be funded up to $50,000.

The program is a reimbursement program, which means awardees are required to pay costs up front and receive reimbursement from the Idaho Transportation Department.

How to create a SR2S program

Parents cited three main barriers as the reasons their children can't walk or bike to school in the January 2010 School Travel Data Report from the National Center for SR2S.

• Distance - More students arrive by family car and school bus to school, walking was the third choice of travel mode, and more walk in the afternoon than mornings.
• Safety - Traffic speed, volume and street crossing safety were barriers for students living within one-half mile of school.
• Weather - Is marginally related to travel modes.

Walking and bicycling to school can be a realistic alternative for students who live within two miles of school. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) SR2S toolkit was designed to assist in initiating and implementing a SR2S program. Many successful SR2S programs began with just one or two volunteers organizing a Walk and Bike to School Day, using the energy generated from a single event to build a SR2S program. Other SR2S programs were created through a community-wide Task Force organized by public officials to address traffic issues. There is no "right" way to start the program. Customizing your program to the needs of your community will ensure the success of your program but your chance of success will increase by following the footsteps of the pilot programs explained in the NHTSA SR2S Toolkit. Successful SR2S programs in the United States have incorporated one or more of the following approaches:

• The Encouragement Approach uses events and contests to entice students to try walking and biking.
• The Education Approach teaches students important safety skills and launches driver safety campaigns.
• The Engineering Approach focuses on creating physical improvements to the infrastructure surrounding the school, reducing speeds and establishing safer crosswalks and pathways.
• The Enforcement Approach uses local law enforcement to ensure drivers obey traffic laws. Enforcement is encouraged but not funded by Idaho SR2S, contact ITD’s Highway Safety Office for law enforcement funding opportunities.

Although each element can stand alone, the most successful programs have integrated elements from all four approaches. Each time the program is adapted, new ideas emerge. Use research data, innovation, and imagination to develop a program that best suits your school and community. The basic components of the Safe Routes to School program outlined in the toolkit are:

• Activities and Outreach
• Mapping the Routes to School
• Classroom Lessons