Mediapolis Safe to School Plan

MEDIAPOLIS SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL PLAN Prepared By: Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission April 2014

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The Mediapolis Safe Routes to School Plan was created through a planning process that involved several community members, without who this plan would not have been possible. Continued cooperation among those people and additional community members will be essential in implementing the Mediapolis Safe Routes to School Plan.

 City of Mediapolis  Mediapolis Community School District  Mediapolis Safe Routes to School Committee Larry Flaherty, Mediapolis Mayor Julie Tribbey, Mediapolis City Clerk Tara Abel, Mediapolis City Council Member Greg Ray, Mediapolis School District Superintendent Todd Hilton, Mediapolis MS/HS Dean of Students David Van Ness, Mediapolis Elementary School Principal Heather Anderson, Elementary Physical Education Instructor

 Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission Mike Norris, Executive Director Zach James, Planning Director Travis Kraus, Regional Planner Madeline Emmerson, Regional Planner Ivan Gonzalez, Planning Intern This report was funding in part through grants from the Iowa Department of Transportation. The contents of this report do not necessarily reflect the official views or policy of the US Department of Transportation.

MEDIAPOLIS Safe Routes to School Plan

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TABLE OF CONTENTS Page 3

Section I – Introduction

Page 9

Section II – Community Profile

Page 14

Section III – Existing Conditions

Page 20

Section IV – Survey Results

Page 22

Section V – Analysis & Recommended Activities

Page 30

Section VI – Implementation

Page 35

Appendix A: Survey Data

Page 49

Appendix B: Safe Routes to School Brochure

Page 52

Appendix C: Additional Resources

MEDIAPOLIS Safe Routes to School Plan

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SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL PLAN

MEDIAPOLIS

I. INTRODUCTION

II. COMMUNITY PROFILE III. EXISTING CONDITIONS IV. SURVEY RESULTS V. ANALYSIS & RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES VI. IMPLEMENTATION APPENDIX

INTRODUCTION The increase in obesity and physical activity among young people in recent decades has been well documented. This alarming trend has significant impacts on health, healthcare costs, and overall quality of life. The City of Mediapolis has taken a proactive approach to improving wellness in their community. In particular, the City has partnered with the Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT), Southeast Iowa Regional Planning (SEIRPC), and the Mediapolis Community School District to adopt and implement a Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Plan.

The Mediapolis Safe Routes to School program will increase walking and biking to and from school, which in turn will promote overall wellness for existing and future residents of Mediapolis and the surrounding area.

WHAT IS SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL? Safe Routes to School is an international effort to increase enhance safety and promote walking and bicycling to school. The “Five E’s” of the program describe a comprehensive approach to achieve the SRTS goals:     

Education Encouragement Engineering Enforcement Evaluation.

MEDIAPOLIS Safe Routes to School Plan | INTRODUCTION

The education component of the Safe Routes to School Program refers to teaching pedestrian, bicycle, and traffic safety, as well as teaching about health and nutrition.

Education is important not only for students, but should extend to parents, drivers, and other community members. The education efforts targeted to these groups needs to include key messages on pedestrian safety, bicycle safety, traffic safety, and health and nutrition. Examples of how to increase education efforts include:  Teaching pedestrian and bicycle safety skills to students and parents through hands on activities  Organizing a Bicycle Rodeo or training course to teach on-bike skills  Teaching the health, environmental and sustainable transportation benefits of walking and bicycling to students and parents  Educating parents and caregivers about safe driving procedures at the school  Creating educational materials to provide to students and parents  Training school and community audiences about Safe Routes to School 4

Encouragement refers to having special events, contests, and other activities that provide ways for parents and children to discover that walking and bicycling are fun, healthy activities. Encouragement activities should generate a lot of excitement and interest in walking and bicycling to school. This enthusiasm sparks support for other changes that might require more resources, such as constructing a new sidewalk due to an increasing number of children walking and biking to school.

In brief, encouragement activities should:  Be quick and easy to start  Require little or no funding  Be organized by parents, students, teachers or community volunteers  Focus on fun and enjoyment  Jumpstart a community’s interest in walking and bicycling  Show quick success and generate enthusiasm for other strategies that may require a greater investment of time and resources  Foster safe walking, bicycling and physical activity behaviors that will be useful throughout kids’ lives

MEDIAPOLIS Safe Routes to School Plan | INTRODUCTION

In regards to Safe Routes to School, engineering is a broad concept used to describe the design, implementation, operation and maintenance of traffic control devices or physical measures, including low-cost as well as high-cost capital measures. Engineering approaches can be very successful in improving children’s safety to enable more bicycling and walking.

Engineering is one of the complementary strategies that SRTS programs used to enable more children to walk and bicycle to school safely. Communities tailor engineering improvements with education, encouragement and enforcement strategies to address the specific needs of their schools. Examples of engineering activities include operational and physical improvements that:  Reduce vehicle speeds  Reduce conflicts between pedestrians/bicyclists and vehicles  Establish safer and fully accessible crossings, walkways, trails, or other bikeways.

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Safe Routes to School enforcement strategies refer to techniques used to deter unsafe behaviors of drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists, and to encourage all road users to obey traffic laws and share the road safely.

Enforcement is one of the complementary strategies of the SRTS programs and cannot be used alone.

Communities must utilize a combination of enforcement, engineering, education and encouragement strategies to address the specific needs of their schools and achieve long-term results.

Typically, people think of enforcement as police officers just writing tickets. For Safe Routes To School, enforcement means a network of community members working together to promote safe walking, bicycling and driving. Enforcement activities can include a variety of activities in which students, parents, school crossing guards, school personnel and neighborhood watch programs all work in conjunction with law enforcement.

The cooperation among police officers, community members, students, and school officials to enforce rules will help make a safe environment for everyone to walk, bike, and drive.

The evaluation portion of the Safe Routes to School program refers to methods used to determine how well strategies are working to increase child pedestrian safety and to increase the number of children walking and biking to school. Evaluation also helps to assure that funding and other resources are being used for efforts that have the greatest impact on providing safe routes to school.

Evaluation techniques can help local communities to continually identify needed adjustments to the program while it is in progress. Evaluation should include monitoring and documenting outcomes and trends through the collection of data, including the collection of data before and after implementation of the Safe Routes to School plan.

Evaluation techniques communities, such as:

provide

many

benefits

to

 Identifying key problems  Creating reasonable expectations  Identifying changes that will improve the SRTS program.  Determining if the program is having the anticipated results

MEDIAPOLIS Safe Routes to School Plan | INTRODUCTION

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SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL FEDERAL FUNDING In the 2005 federal transportation bill SAFETEA-LU, a new SRTS federal funding source included $612,000,000 to be distributed among all states over a five year period. As a result, each state received dedicated dollars to help with infrastructure improvements (e.g. new sidewalks and traffic calming projects) and non-infrastructure activities to educate, encourage, and enable students to walk and bicycle to school. The 2012 transportation bill changed the funding structure for the program, and SRTS projects are currently eligible for funding through MAP-21’s Transportation Alternatives Program.

According to the SAFETEA-LU legislation, the purpose of Safe Routes to School programs is:

Other desired outcomes of the SRTS program include:

 To enable and encourage children, including those with disabilities, to walk and bicycle to school

 More children walking and bicycling to and from schools

 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

 Reduced childhood obesity and improved childhood health

 To facilitate the planning, development, and implementation of projects and activities that will improve safety and reduce traffic, fuel consumption and air pollution in the vicinity of elementary schools.

 Increased bicycle, pedestrian, and traffic safety  Decreased traffic congestion, reduced fuel consumption, and improved air quality  Encouragement of healthy and active lifestyles  Improved community safety and security  Enhanced community accessibility  Increased community involvement  Improvements to the physical environment that increase the ability to walk and bicycle to and from schools  Improved partnerships among schools, local municipalities, parents, and other community groups, including non-profit organizations  Increased interest in bicycle and pedestrian accommodations throughout the community

MEDIAPOLIS Safe Routes to School Plan | INTRODUCTION

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PURPOSE OF THE MEDIAPOLIS SRTS PLAN

OUR MISSION

The purpose of the Mediapolis SRTS Plan is to help the Mediapolis Community School District, the City of Mediapolis, and the community, develop a structure for a comprehensive SRTS program. This plan will do this by:

The mission of the Mediapolis Safe Routes to School Program is to provide a safe, inviting, social and physically active environment for children and parents by implementing projects identified in this plan that focus on:

 Identifying the strengths, weaknesses, and challenges for each of the five E’s of the SRTS program;  Collecting and evaluating data related to children walking and biking to school;  Developing a list of projects for each of the 5 E’s that will address any issues related to children walking and biking to school; and  Developing a strategy and implementation plan for all identified projects.

 Building new or fixing existing walking and biking paths to make them safer for members in the community  Promoting walking and biking to school as a way to help the environment and live a healthy lifestyle  Creating exciting events that encourage kids to walk or bike to school  Educating students and parents on traffic safety, bicycle safety, pedestrian safety, and the benefits of exercise

With the completion of this plan, the school district, the city, and community members will have a clear idea of what needs to be done to increase the number of children safely walking and biking to school.

OUR VISION The Mediapolis Safe Routes to School Committee envisions a community in which parents have the confidence to allow their children to walk or ride their bike to school regularly, and choose to walk or bike with them when possible. Routes throughout the community will provide families with a safe and secure environment for walking and biking together. Overall, Mediapolis residents will achieve a better quality of life through increased opportunities for walking, biking, living a healthy lifestyle, and inspiring local youth to do great things.

MEDIAPOLIS Safe Routes to School Plan | INTRODUCTION

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SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL PLAN

MEDIAPOLIS

I. INTRODUCTION

II. COMMUNITY PROFILE III. EXISTING CONDITIONS IV. SURVEY RESULTS V. ANALYSIS & RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES VI. IMPLEMENTATION APPENDIX

Mediapolis at a Glance: 2010     

Population: 1,560 Total Housing Units: 680 Families: 407 Median HH Income: $46,316 Race: 99% White

COMMUNITY PROFILE Mediapolis is a small town located in rural southeast Iowa- a close-knit community in which residents know their neighbors, greet each other on the street, and rally around the local athletic teams and other school clubs. Residents enjoy the quiet, safe, and slow-paced lifestyle typical of small Iowa towns. Mediapolis can be considered a “bedroom community”, where most people work outside of town.

Figure 1: Mediapolis Population trends Source: US Census

MEDIAPOLIS Safe Routes to School Plan | COMMUNITY PROFILE

Highway 61 passes through Mediapolis, connecting Burlington 16 miles to the south, and Muscatine 35 miles to the north.

As shown in Figure 1, the population of Mediapolis has trended downward since peaking around 1980. Declining populations are common among small communities in

Figure 2: Mediapolis Population Distribution 2000 and 2010 Source: US Census

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southeast Iowa. Figure 2 shows the distribution of the population by age, as well as the change between 2000 and 2010. Most notably, the number of children under age 10 dropped significantly, from 241 to 190, which is a decrease of approximately 21%. This trend reflects a challenge common to small communities- attracting and retaining young families, who are critical to the school enrollments and community vitality.

Des Monies County

IOWA

In terms of land area, the City of Mediapolis equals approximately 1.2 square miles. The interior of the city is relatively dense with single-family households and a small commercial area along Main Street. The outer limits primarily consist of land used for agricultural purposes. The distance from one end of the City to the other isn’t much more than a mile, and the average person could walk from one corner of Mediapolis to another in about 20 minutes.

Figure 3 shows the location of the public school campus relative to the rest of the city. The campus includes all of the school buildings of the Mediapolis Community School District, preKindergarten through 12th grade, as well as a track and athletic fields. As the map shows, the school buildings are on the far north end of Mediapolis, relatively detached from the residential areas of the community.

Figure 3: Location Map

MEDIAPOLIS Safe Routes to School Plan | COMMUNITY PROFILE

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Mediapolis Community School District at a Glance (2013-14)     

Total Enrollment: 819 Total Teaching Staff: 62 Elementary (PK-5) students: 352 Middle School students: 177 High School students: 290

MEDIAPOLIS COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT “Mediapolis Community School challenges each individual to strive for excellence and to become a lifelong learner.”

The mission statement above reflects the district’s focus on individual student success both inside and outside of school. Strong support from the community and outstanding school pride encourage student excellence, especially when it comes to rooting on the Bulldogs and Bulldettes, and are also a good indicator of an effective and successful Safe Routes to School program.

Figure 4: Mediapolis School District Boundaries

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Location The Mediapolis Community School District (MCSD) includes one elementary school (Pre K – 5th), one middle school (6th – 8th), and one high school (9-12). All school buildings are located within the City of Mediapolis.

MCSD boundaries cover approximately 234 square miles, nearly the entire northern half of Des Moines County. The City of Mediapolis, by comparison, is only 1.2 square miles. According to the SRTS survey, many families commute considerable distances to get to school, as much as 15 miles one way.

Enrollment The Mediapolis Community School District currently employees 62 teachers and has a total enrollment of 819 students (as of the 2013-14 academic year). Total enrollment has been steadily declining for many years, as illustrated in Figure 5. The decreasing enrollment may reflect a trend of young adults and young families choosing to locate in bigger cities for employment and lifestyle choices.

Enrollment projections from the Iowa Department of Education suggest that the district can expect total enrollment to drop each year through the 2017-2018 academic year. Figure 6 shows enrollment by grade level for the 2013-24 academic year. Enrollment in 1st through 6th grade is significantly lower than enrollment in 7th through 8th, suggesting that the high school may have fewer students in upcoming years.

Busing Regulations The Mediapolis Community School District provides bus transportation service to students that live outside of a 1-mile radius from the school.

MEDIAPOLIS Safe Routes to School Plan | COMMUNITY PROFILE

Figure 5 (top): Mediapolis School District enrollment trends Figure 6 (bottom): Mediapolis enrollment 2013-14 Source: Iowa Department of Education

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SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL PLAN

MEDIAPOLIS

I. INTRODUCTION

II. COMMUNITY PROFILE III. EXISTING CONDITIONS IV. SURVEY RESULTS V. ANALYSIS & RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES VI. IMPLEMENTATION APPENDIX

What existing efforts educate the community about SRTS goals?

The Department of Education (Healthy Kids Act) as of 2009 requires 150 minutes of physical activity per week at the elementary grade level and 120 minutes of activity per week at the middle school level. These guidelines are used to form the physical education classes at the Mediapolis Schools. Physical education instructors teach kids about safely crossing streets and sidewalks.

What existing efforts encourage walking, biking, and community support for SRTS?

In response to concerns from parents, the City of Mediapolis has prioritized sidewalks and routes to school. Individual property owners are responsible for sidewalks, although the City’s has incentivized sidewalk construction and repair with a program that will pay up to $500 for the concrete portion of the construction.

Great River Medical Center and the school district have teamed up to provide opportunities to students on healthy living, including helmet giveaways that occur throughout the year in an effort to promote bike safety.

Bike racks near the middle and elementary schools provide a secure area for bicycles.

What enforcement measures currently exist to support SRTS?

The City of Mediapolis sidewalk ordinance requires that each property owner properly maintain their own sidewalks. The ordinance also specifies that newly constructed sidewalks have a minimum width of 4 feet. A newly adopted ordinance requires sidewalks in all new subdivisions.

Emergency snow routes have been established to ensure children have a safe path to school. The City requires that individual property owners along the route properly maintain the path after heavy snow falls. Areas being plowed have to be wide enough for children to pass.

The City of Mediapolis contracts their police enforcement for a specific number of hours each week. These times vary and it has never been a priority to patrol the area close to the school or any crosswalks.

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How are relevant policies, programs, and facilities currently evaluated?

A parent survey that was distributed in the spring of 2012 to provide the most up to date information available to the Safe Routes to School committee and planning team on any concerns parents have regarding their children walking or biking to school. This information should be collected regularly to identify changes in behaviors as new students attend schools.

The City of Mediapolis has utilized traffic count services provided by the Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission to gather data about traffic volume, speed and more near the school.

How does engineering currently support SRTS goals?

Signage around the school and throughout the community cautions drivers about crossings and pedestrian traffic.

Painted crosswalks around the school identify dedicated pedestrian areas. However, the paint is faded and the crosswalks lack high visibility to warn drivers.

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EXISTING PEDESTRIAN and BIKE FACILITIES NEAR the SCHOOL In August 2013, SEIRPC staff examined the area around the school to assess current pedestrian and bicycle conditions. The pictures here show illustrate some existing conditions, but are not intended to be comprehensive.

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1)

Signage cautions drivers about potential pedestrians crossing.

2)

A sidewalk spans nearly the length of the school (rear-side), but ends abruptly. A gravel vehicle lane connects to the street.

3)

Parking on street not allowed during school hours. No separation between parking and sidewalk otherwise, and no sidewalk on opposite side of street

4)

Bike racks in front of the middle school.

5)

No features to distinguish sidewalk from parking lot entrance.

6)

Faded red-painted fire lane is the only feature to distinguish sidewalk from driving area

7)

Pedestrian crosswalk points directly at parking lot entrance.

8)

Parking lot has no clear pedestrian paths.

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8

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2 4 5

3

6

1

1

2

3

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SEIRPC staff conducted an inventory of Mediapolis sidewalks in the summer of 2012. Figure 7 explains the criteria used and the total linear feet of sidewalk by condition. Of the existing sidewalks, approximately 85% are in “good” or “fair” condition. The remaining 15% are “poor” and likely impede pedestrian use. As the table indicates, the areas where no sidewalk exists are nearly three times the total of existing sidewalks.

Figure 8 provides a visual representation of where sidewalks are located throughout the City. As the map shows, the City does not have a wellconnected system of good sidewalks, and many neighborhoods have no sidewalks whatsoever.

Figure 7: Sidewalk inventory criteria and results

Visual Representation of Condition Criteria

Description of Condition Criteria

Existing Sidewalk

Good Sidewalk is free from cracking, buckling, gravel or other debris that would impede pedestrian traffic.

6,961 Linear Feet in Mediapolis

Fair Sidewalk is passable, but may contain surface cracks, negligible vegetative overgrowth or debris.

3,993 Linear Feet in Mediapolis

Poor Sidewalk has deep cracking or buckling, vegetative overgrowth and/or debris such that pedestrian traffic would be impeded.

1,845 Linear Feet in Mediapolis

No Sidewalk indicates the absence of sidewalks along city streets in developed areas

31,499 Linear Feet in Mediapolis

MEDIAPOLIS Safe Routes to School Plan | EXISTING CONDITIONS

Figure 8: Mediapolis Sidewalk Conditions

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THE NEW “REC PLEX” The City of Mediapolis and Mediapolis Community School District have partnered to create a recreational complex near the school campus.

POOL

Northfield Ave

Construction of the “rec plex” is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2014, and bring new baseball diamonds, soccer fields, and other facilities to the community. A new roadway, pedestrian corridor, and two parking lots will provide access and accommodations for people and vehicles.

The new recreational complex greatly increases physical activity opportunities for all residents in the community, particularly young people, and will certainly facilitate many SRTS goals .

The new facilities will also likely impact pedestrian and vehicle traffic in the surrounding area. City and school officials, parents, and other community members should consider and evaluate the potential for increased pedestrian/vehicle conflicts, particularly in high traffic areas and areas that have inadequate pedestrian facilities.

SCHOOL

The engineering sketch above illustrates the Mediapolis Recreational Facilities Master Plan. The new facilities are located adjacent to the school property and the community swimming pool. The road headed west is not part of the initial construction phase, but rather indicates how transportation infrastructure in the area may develop over time.

MEDIAPOLIS Safe Routes to School Plan | EXISTING CONDITIONS

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SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL PLAN

MEDIAPOLIS

I. INTRODUCTION

II. COMMUNITY PROFILE III. EXISTING CONDITIONS IV. SURVEY RESULTS V. ANALYSIS & RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES VI. IMPLEMENTATION APPENDIX

SURVEY RESULTS The Safe Routes to School Planning committee conducted two surveys to assess student commuting methods to and from school. In particular, the surveys assessed the degree to which students engage in walking and biking as a means of travel. The surveys used in this study came from the National Center for Safe Routes to Schools.

With the assistance of school officials, a survey was distributed to all parents of preschool through 5th grade students attending Mediapolis Elementary school at the beginning of the 2012-2013 academic year. The survey focused on typical transportation behaviors and existing barriers that prevent their children from walking and biking to school. A total of 173 responses were collected, which represents 53% of all elementary school students during the 2012-2013 academic year.

A second survey was conducted with the help of school teachers, who compiled data in a “Safe Routes to School Students Arrival and Departure Tally Sheet�. On three separate days, both in the morning and in the afternoon, the teachers asked students to report how they arrived at school and how they plan to leave school that particular day. Additionally, they tracked the weather conditions, which can impact student travel.

The information on the right highlight the main findings from the surveys. Complete results and copies of the surveys can be found in Appendix A. MEDIAPOLIS Safe Routes to School Plan | SURVEY RESULTS

Distance is the greatest barrier to walking and biking to and from school.

63% 67% 90% 10% 0%

of students live more than 2 miles from school

of students ride the bus

of students ride in a vehicle to and from school

of students walk to or from school

of students bike to or from school

Car / Pedestrian Conflicts

are the main concerns of parents (other than distance)

86%

of parents feel that the school is ambivalent about walking and biking to school

*numbers are approximated using both parent surveys and teacher tallies.

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SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL PLAN

MEDIAPOLIS

I. INTRODUCTION

II. COMMUNITY PROFILE III. EXISTING CONDITIONS IV. SURVEY RESULTS V. ANALYSIS & RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES VI. IMPLEMENTATION APPENDIX

ANALYSIS A relatively low number of students currently walk or bike to school in Mediapolis. Many opportunities exist, though, to improve student behaviors with regard to physical activity and overall wellness. In particular, the City, the school district, and other partners should work together to create an environment that is more pedestrian and bicyclist friendly.

Developing a Safe Routes to School Program may require a broader perspective in the Mediapolis community because of the high proportion of rural students who live too far away to bike or walk to school. In fact, survey results suggest that most students live in the country and rely on bus service or personal vehicles. However, the potential for a the program to improve the quality of life for students and residents is no less valid.

Think Broadly In addition to activities and infrastructure that will increase walking and biking for kids that leave near the school, the Safe Routes to School program should encourage and enhance physical activity opportunities all day each day. The benefits of understanding bicycle and traffic safety, for example, extend beyond the moments before and after school for any pedestrian or bicyclist. Walking and physical activity can also be incorporated into lessons throughout the school day.

Additionally, the area surrounding the school should be more safe for students, whether they are walking, biking, or getting dropped off in the parking lot across the street. The Safe

Routes to School Plan is designed to be a useful tool for improving the physical conditions around the school and surrounding environment.

Think long-term Many rural kids may have few opportunities to walk or ride a bike to school, if any, but what they learn through the SRTS program can greatly impact their behaviors and attitudes throughout their entire lives. As the MCSD mission states, the district hopes to create lifelong learners. Similarly, the SRTS program can instill values in current students that will be passed on to future generations. The appreciation of physical activity and good nutrition will help establish a culture focused on wellness and quality of life.

Limited resources can sometimes inhibit progress toward wellintentioned goals. Engineering costs can add up quickly, and so can the time and energy spent on activities. Considering current enrollment trends in the district, the community should be proactive about attracting and retaining young families. In addition to the immediate benefits, physical improvements can be considered an investment in the community’s future. Long-term impacts should be factored into any considerations about costs and benefits.

Be creative Last but not least, be creative! Have fun! Kids, parents, teachers, and all residents of the community can be involved in Safe Routes to School. Remember, enthusiasm is contagious!

MEDIAPOLIS Safe Routes to School Plan | ANALYSIS & RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES

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EDUCATION | SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES Create maps of safe routes to school.

• Maps can identify routes to school based on many conditions including sidewalk condition, crosswalks, traffic levels, and more. Include statistics and other information to educate parents on various issues.

Increase parent education on safety conditions and benefits of walking/biking to school.

• Parent education should focus on proper pick up and drop off procedures, bicycle and pedestrian safety, locations of Safe Routes to School, the health benefits of walking/biking to school, and education/encouragement events. Utilize the school and city newsletter, newspaper, school registration, Parent Teacher Conferences, and other school functions.

Hold assemblies and invite guest speakers.

• Guest speakers can discuss bicycle and pedestrian safety, stranger danger, or living healthy lifestyle. Speakers could include local law enforcement, community groups, hospitals, or national experts on the topic.

Encourage teachers to incorporate bicycle and pedestrian education activities into all classes within the school.

• The Iowa Kids on the Move Curriculum (see Appendix B) provides sample lesson plans for integrating bicycle and pedestrian education activities into traditional subjects. For example, science lessons could include lessons walking outdoors to collect samples and to observe nature as part of a larger discussion about how walking and bicycling can help the environment.

Start a bike rodeo.

• An annual bike rodeo provides teaches riders about rules and safety. Many resources about how to hold a bike rodeo are available on the internet.

MEDIAPOLIS Safe Routes to School Plan | ANALYSIS & RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES

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ENCOURAGEMENT | SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES Start “I Got Caught” program.

• “Awards” could incentivize safe and healthy behaviors, such as crossing at a designated crosswalk or wearing a bike helmet. Reward students who use proper pedestrian and bicycle safety techniques.

Celebrate International Walk to School Day (October) and National Bike to School Day (May).

• Recognition of these special days promotes appreciation for walking and biking. Annual events can encourage parents and students to ditch the car for at least a couple of days out of the year.

Start a biking and walking classroom competition, such as a “Mileage Club”.

• Students can log how far they have walked or biked each day. Reward students or classrooms as they reach certain milestones. 5th grade students should be encouraged to enter a bike poster contest for a chance to win a “HUB” for the school from the company SARIS (see Appendix C).

Designate a “Park and Walk” or “Remote Drop-off” location where students can be dropped off to walk or bike the remaining trip to school.

• Remote drop-off locations provide opportunities for physical activity, especially for rural students, while also decreasing school traffic congestion and problems.

Start a “Walking School Bus”.

• A walking school bus is a group of children walking to school with one or more adults. T-shirts and activities, such as a scavenger hunt along the routes, provide additional encouragement for children to walk. Appendix C includes information on how to start a Walking School Bus. Be role models.

• Parents, teachers, and even police on bikes can model behaviors promoted in the SRTS program.

MEDIAPOLIS Safe Routes to School Plan | ANALYSIS & RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES

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ENFORCEMENT | SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES Begin a student safety patrol program.

• 5th graders, junior high students or high school students can be crossing guards at critical intersections around the elementary and junior high. This program can be used as an honors/merit program for older students.

Implement a Neighborhood Watch and Safe House Program.

• Designated residences provide safe places for students who are in danger or feel uncomfortable along the school route. Adults must undergo training and background checks to be eligible.

Through the Neighborhood Watch Program, train participating citizens on how to respond to conflicts. Use appropriate signage for both programs.

Increase collaboration with the Police Department.

• Work with police department to coordinate hours for enforcing traffic laws and safety during the hours students are arriving and leaving the school, particularly along Northfield, Iowa, Orchard, and Harrison Streets. Officers can also enforce use of designated routes to divert children from high traffic areas.

Place speed indicators and traffic counters on busy roads and intersections.

• Speed indicators placed along major walking/biking routes can slow traffic. The speed indicators and traffic counters can also provide data to support enforcement and engineering activities.

Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission (SEIRPC) is a resource for these devices.

MEDIAPOLIS Safe Routes to School Plan | ANALYSIS & RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES

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EVALUATION | SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES Conduct annual parent and student surveys.

• Surveys provide up to date information on the number of children walking and biking to school and can be used to evaluate implemented SRTS activities in order to determine what is and is not effective.

Assess walk-ability and bike-ability in the community.

• Evaluating the environment while walking or biking will help identify opportunities for improvement. Checklists are available online. Annual assessment will help the community evaluative progress toward improving conditions for walking and biking. The checklists will also help to educate the community on the best routes for safe walking and biking.

Set SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time Bound) annually for Safe Routes to School Program based on SRTS Plan recommendations.

• Set goals annually based the Safe Routes to School program, such as how many students they want to walk and bike to school, decreasing child obesity, determining priority projects, and so on. Evaluate goals annually and make modifications as necessary.

Continue SRTS committee meetings.

• Regular committee meetings will help build and maintain momentum for the SRTS program.

Encourage new membership from parents and community leaders.

Evaluate the impact of the new recreational complex on pedestrian and vehicle traffic.

• The new facilities will likely generate additional traffic in the surrounding, potentially creating new safety concerns.

MEDIAPOLIS Safe Routes to School Plan | ANALYSIS & RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES

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ENGINEERING | SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES Expand the sidewalk replacement program • The city should continue their sidewalk replacement program and consider additional incentives to promote more sidewalk rehabilitation and to promote new sidewalk construction, focusing on high priority areas of town. The city should dedicate a specific amount of money each year to construct new sidewalks, replace poor condition sidewalks, and clear sidewalk obstructions like bushes, trees, and sign posts along designated routes to school.

Adopt a sidewalk requirement in code for new subdivisions • City code should be updated to include a requirement to install sidewalks in new subdivisions or as new homes are built. A minimum sidewalk width should be updated to a width of 5 feet as required by AASHTO Guidelines.

Adopt a “Complete Streets” policy • Complete streets policies direct transportation planners and engineers to routinely design and operate the entire right of way to enable safe access for all users, regardless of age, ability, or mode of transportation. Consult SEIRPC for more information and sample ordinances.

Improve intersections around the school and along major pedestrian routes.

• Crosswalks should be painted along designated SRTS routes, and other areas where students cross roadways. Bump outs, ADA ramps, high visibility crosswalks, and the absence of hazards like drains, utility poles, and sign posts are some elements of safe intersections.

Replace existing sidewalk ramps with ADA accessible ramps • Many of the corners of intersection to access sidewalks were missing or extremely deteriorated.

Intersections should be upgraded to provide proper access to sidewalks, particularly for persons with disabilities. Intersection improvements will also provide a safer area for biking.

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ENGINEERING | SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES Utilize in-street crosswalk signs around school • Signs provide additional motorist awareness of a crosswalk where a substantial number of students cross. These signs are relatively inexpensive and are portable, which makes them ideal for a school setting where the signs are not necessary year round.

Include crosswalk ahead and arrows with crosswalk signs at crossings • A “crosswalk ahead” sign should be located as an advanced warning sign for a crosswalk and a crosswalk with an arrow should be located where people are actually crossing. The city should review crosswalks to ensure appropriate usage.

Evaluate and adjust all signs to make sure they are placed in correct locations/heights as required by the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).

• Traffic control guidance helps ensure that signs provide high visibility for users. The highest priority signs related to Safe Routes to School include crosswalk signs, yield signs, speed limit signs, and no parking signs.

Add bike racks near the school and around the community.

• Consider having local artists or high school industrial tech students design and construct unique bike racks.

• Place bike racks close to buildings to deter vandalism, encourage ridership, and provide a safer location away from vehicle traffic.

Improve the safety of existing parking areas • Redesign parking lots to minimize pedestrian and vehicle conflicts, particularly the parking lot east of the school.

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SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL PLAN

MEDIAPOLIS

I. INTRODUCTION

II. COMMUNITY PROFILE III. EXISTING CONDITIONS IV. SURVEY RESULTS V. ANALYSIS & RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES VI. IMPLEMENTATION APPENDIX

NON-ENGINEERING IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY The following implementation strategy provides an approach for how to implement all education, encouragement, enforcement and evaluation techniques through any given school year. This strategy can then be easily replicated from year to year with any updates being made as needed.

 Hold a SRTS Press Conference

 Have teachers do Student Travel Surveys

 Distribute Safe Routes to School Maps along with School Registration material

 Begin planning for International Walk to School Day

 Distribute Iowa Kids on the Move (Lesson Plan ideas) during Teacher work days

 Begin Walking Wednesday in conjunction with Walking School Buses

 Begin “Catch you in the Act Program”  Begin Student Safety Patrol  Begin police enforcement around elementary and middle schools

 Hold Bike Rodeo in schools  Continue “Catch you in the Act Program”

 Create a big event for International Walk to School Day  Continue student safety patrol  Continue “Catch you in the Act Program”

 Have a booth during parent teacher conferences that shares information about SRTS, SRTS Maps, Walking Wednesday/ Walking School Buses, Volunteer opportunities, and Driver Education  Distribute parent surveys

 Continue Walking Wednesday/Walking School Buses

 Continue student safety patrol

 Continue walking and biking classroom competition

 Conclude Walking Wednesday/Walking School Buses

 Begin TAP Grant application to be submitted to SEIRPC

 Conclude walking and biking classroom competition

 Continue Student Safety Patrol

 Continue work on TAP Grant application

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NON-ENGINEERING IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY

 Send in TAP Grant Application to SEIRPC  Continue student safety patrol

 Continue student safety patrol  Continue “Catch you in the Act Program”

 Continue “Catch you in the Act Program”

 Have a booth during parent teacher conferences that shares information about SRTS, SRTS Maps, Walking Wednesday/ Walking School Buses, Volunteer opportunities, and Driver Education

 Resume Walking Wednesday in conjunction with Walking School Buses  Continue student safety patrol  Continue “Catch you in the Act Program”

 Continue student safety patrol  Continue “Catch you in the Act Program”

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NON-ENGINEERING IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY

 Begin training for Student Safety Patrol for next school year

 Bicycle Safety Month/Bike to Work Week, National Bike to School Day

 Begin planning for Bike to School Day

 Have a Bike to School Day during Bike to Work Week

 Continue student safety patrol

 Clean Air Month – Encourage parents to drive less – walk or bike with children to school

 Continue “Catch you in the Act Program”  Continue Walking Wednesday/ Walking School Buses

 Pick a week to do Student Talley Surveys  Conclude student safety patrol  Conclude "Catch you in the Act Program”

 Schools Out for Summer  Discuss ideas for incentives and rewards for encouragement and education programs  Begin to evaluate outcomes of SRTS program from previous year  Discuss making any changes from previous years program  Begin to set SMART Goals for upcoming year

 Finalize discussion on incentives and rewards for encouragement and education programs  Finalize evaluation of outcomes of SRTS program from previous year  Finalize any changes from previous years SRTS program  Finalize SMART Goals for upcoming year  Begin planning for School Registration, SRTS press conference, and other activities

 Conclude Walking Wednesday/ Walking School Buses

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The following provides an implementation strategy for engineering projects related to Safe Routes to School in Mediapolis.

• Improve the safety of existing parking areas • Improve intersections around the school and along major pedestrian routes.

• Evaluate and adjust all signs to make sure they are placed in correct locations/heights

HIGH PRIORITY

ENGINEERING IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY

• Replace existing sidewalk ramps with ADA accessible ramps • Expand the sidewalk replacement program • Add bike racks near the school and around the community.

• Adopt a “Complete Streets” policy

MEDIUM PRIORITY

• Include crosswalk ahead and arrows with crosswalk signs at crossings

• Adopt a sidewalk requirement in code for new subdivisions

MEDIAPOLIS Safe Routes to School Plan | IMPLEMENTATION

LOW PRIORITY

• Utilize in-street crosswalk signs around school

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SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL PLAN

MEDIAPOLIS

APPENDIX A: SURVEY DATA

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Comments 2nd grade used to ride bike but he was irresponsible and rode in front of a truck. He did not get hit but is no longer allowed to ride his bike.

My kids live in the Country they are 12 miles from school. They ride the bus 1 hr every morning & 1 hr every night.

After the national press of disappearing children my children would not even consider walking or riding to school at this time

Once my child is on the bus I know my child is safe and I am able to go to work. Safety is our biggest concern.

because we live approximately 15 miles from school we wouldn't consider allowing our children to bike or walk to school

Our road speed limit is 55 mph so it is not an option for us to let them walk or ride their bike.

Bus ride is 50 minutes this would never apply to my child

People drive too fast and it is too busy around school time. Though there is not much violence or many crimes I know there have been issues in the past with a few kids and strangers

Due to the fact that both mother and father work 50+ hours per week the kids are at home for a short period alone after school. Having them arrive at the bus stop and walk to the bus is much safer than walking home in our situation.

I would let my children walk or ride a bike to school but we do not live in town.

If we lived close to the school I would have my children walk weather permitting and of course as a group together.

If we lived closer to school I would love to let them walk to school I walked to school as a child and loved it If we lived in town I would be fine with walking or biking

Since our kids are young I do not consider it an option mainly because we live on the hwy. I also don't think with the kids ages that they are responsible enough.

Since our kids are young I do not consider it an option mainly because we live on the hwy. I also don't think with the kids ages that they are responsible enough.

The kids go to daycare before and after school too There are no sidewalks in our neighborhood. Northfield is the closest on the route. Main Street at our end moves faster and does not have sidewalks or traffic controls.

If we lived in town I would have my children walk to school but we live in Kingston so I would not have them walk on Hwy 99.

This survey does not really pertain to "country" bus kids.

Interested in Helping -

Too many pedophiles and strangers everywhere in this day and age for most kids to walk or bike to school

Its too far for them to walk

walks to and from school to daycare

Kids walk to Grandmother's in town

We are a 20 minute car ride from the school so this survey really didn't apply to our family. Thanks. I do think however that Mepo needs this safety route program.

live in country Live too far away from school to walk or bike Live too far away to consider walking/biking

We are open enrolled so they can't walk or ride bikes. We live at least 17 miles from the school

My child is too young and lives too far to ever walk or ride bike to school

We are open enrolled so walking is not really an option

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We just live too far away- we open enroll so have to drive to grandma/pa's house to ride bus. If we moved or if they lived in town I would let ride bike or walk only at an appropriate age and when safe for age- or I could supervise. It is a fun healthy activity! More town kids should!

We live 12 miles away so this survey doesn't really apply to us.

We live 8 miles from school We live across from school so perhaps my answers are different than many others We live in Burlington so our daughter would ride the bus until that is no longer an option then we would drive her to school.

We live in Burlington. If there were a bike trail from WB to Mepo then maybe we'd ride it one day. but until/unless we move to Mepo we will continue to drive.

We live too far away for my child to walk/bike to school. If we at some point live closer to school we would consider it in a couple years.

We live too far away from the school for any of our children to walk or bike to/from school. We value the bus system. Kathy Strawhacker is an asset to the busing system.

When we lived in town my one issue with allowing children to walk/bike o school is the CRAZY high school drivers - who aren't looking/aware of the children. Not sure this would change regardless of the speed limit.

Wouldn't let my children walk or bike to school. We live to far away from school for them to do either.

We live to far from school to even consider riding or walking.

My child lives 12 miles from school so this does not apply to my child

we live in the country We live in the country so my children have to ride the bus We live in the country so this really isnt applicable to us We live in the country too far from school for walking or biking We live in the country- walking or biking is not an option.

We live in the country. Highway 61 is the way to town. No my kids will not ride/walk to school. If we lived in town most likely we would walk.

We live inthe country so this really isn't applicable to us.

We live out in the country on Northfield Rd. Traffic distance and lack of sidewalks prevent my children from walking or biking to school we live out of biking or walking distance We live outside of the walking/biking distance for my children We live over 10 miles away. Walking/biking is not an option

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SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL PLAN

MEDIAPOLIS

APPENDIX B: SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL IOWA BROCHURE

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Why is Safe Routes to School (SRTS) so important?

More Physical Activity and Better Health Over the past two to three decades, the childhood obesity rate in the U.S. has more than doubled for preschool children age 2 to 5 years and more than tripled for children age 6 to 11 years. The lack of physical activity among children contributes to obesity and health problems.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends that children should get at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day.

Many children could achieve this recommendation simply by walking, biking or using other active ways to travel to school. It’s that simple.

Increased Safety Parental concerns about traffic and strangers have reduced children’s freedom to move about their neighborhoods on their own. Programs like the Walking School Bus — an adult-supervised walk to school — identify safe routes to school, and teach safe crossing practices and “street smart” skills. Appropriate infrastructure like sidewalks and bicycling paths is also important.

Less Traffic, Greater Sense of Community When more students walk or bicycle to school, traffic volumes and congestion decrease during school drop-off and pick-up times, making the trip much more pedestrian-friendly.

A physically-active commute to and from school can be a fun social time for children. It’s a chance for them to spend time with their families, neighbors and peers, while learning about their community.

With the Walking School Bus and Bike Train programs, parents share the responsibility of escorting a group of children to school.

A Reduction in Harmful Vehicle Emissions Motor vehicle emissions have a harmful effect on the environment and personal health. These emissions contribute to poor air quality and urban smog, as well as a range of health problems, including bronchitis and asthma.

Short motor vehicle trips create more than their share of pollution because a cold engine does not fire efficiently. A SRTS program can reduce the number of short vehicle trips and improve air quality in your neighborhood.

Program Eligibility The SRTS program can be tailored to meet the needs of your school and community. Initiatives include adult-supervised walks and bike rides to school, infrastructure improvements and safety enhancements, such as sidewalks, crosswalks and crossing guards, designated walking paths, and reduced speed zones.

Did you know Walking School Buses and Bike Trains burn no fuel, emit no exhaust, cut down on traffic congestion, and cost nothing to run? They are simple ways to reduce motor vehicle use and encourage more kids to get to and from school on their own with parental supervision.

Funding Limited funds are available to schools and communities interested in participating in the SRTS program. Projects eligible for funding must be within two miles of an elementary and/or middle school (kindergarten through eighth grade).

Applications for Safe Routes to School funding are available at www.dot.state.ia.us/saferoutes.

The following are eligible for SRTS funding: • planning, design and construction of projects that will improve the ability of students to walk and bicycle to school; • sidewalk improvements; • traffic calming and speed reduction improvements; • pedestrian and bicycle crossing improvements; • on-street bicycle facilities; • off-street bicycle and pedestrian facilities; • traffic diversion improvements within two miles of the school; • public awareness campaigns and educational materials; • traffic education and enforcement in the vicinity of a school; • student sessions on bicycle and pedestrian safety, health and environment; or • training, including SRTS training workshops that target school and community audiences.

Photo courtesy of Dan Burden - www.pedbikeimages.org

Here are some key points about SRTS: • eligible applicants are cities, counties, local governments, schools (both public and private) and nonprofit organizations; • this comprehensive program includes the 5 Es: engineering, education, encouragement, enforcement and evaluation; projects must address all five of these components; • no local funding match is required; • award recipients must comply with stringent federal and state funding requirements; and • you can get started right now by coming up with a plan for your school, district, city or region. Develop an inventory of needed improvements and then prioritize. Be sure to involve parents and students in your process.

The SRTS program resulted from enactment of the federal transportation bill — the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU). The purpose of SRTS is to enable and encourage children, including those with disabilities, to walk and bicycle to school; make walking and bicycling to school safe and more appealing; and facilitate the planning, development and implementation of projects that will improve safety, and reduce traffic, fuel consumption, and air pollution in the vicinity of schools.

Whether you are a parent, teacher or community volunteer, you can start a Safe Routes to School program in your community.

For ideas and resources, contact:

Kathy Ridnour Safe Routes to School program coordinator Office of Systems Planning 800 Lincoln Way Ames, IA 50010 515-239-1713 kathy.ridnour@dot.iowa.gov

PM 930

6-7-06

Safe Routes to School is a national program that encourages youth and their families to choose walking, bicycling and other active ways to get to and from school.

SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL PLAN

MEDIAPOLIS

APPENDIX C: ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

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SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL PLAN

MEDIAPOLIS

Additional Resources Safe Routes Education Curriculum The “Iowa Kids on the Move” curriculum was developed as part of the Iowa Safe Routes to School Encouragement and Education Program which was created by the Iowa Bicycle Coalition. Funding for this program was provided by the Iowa Department of Transportation’s Safe Routes to School program.

Downloadable file attachments can be found at: http://iowasaferoutes.org/safe-routes-education-curriculum/

SARIS Technology / Poster Contest The Iowa Safe Routes to School website promotes SARIS technology designed to encourage biking to school. The company has an annual poster contest for 5th graders. Prizes include bicycles, helmets, lights, and a “the HUB”. More information can be found at: www.sarisparking.com www.sarisparking.com/why-saris-parking/advocacy-efforts/poster-contest

Walking School Bus Walking school bus guidance involves collaboration across many unique organizations. More nformation can be found at: http://iowasaferoutes.org/walking-school-bus/

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Additional Resources Iowa's Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Encouragement and Education Program www.iowasaferoutes.org

Iowa DOT - Traffic Engineering Assistance Program (TEAP) http://www.iowadot.gov/traffic/teap.html http://www.iowadot.gov/pol_leg_services/funding_guide.htm

National Center for SRTS (includes SRTS training programs) www.saferoutesinfo.org

League of American Bicyclists www.bikeleague.org

School Zone Safety Handbook A toolbox to address safety on school grounds and public streets adjacent to schools in Iowa. www.ctre.iastate.edu Walk and Bike to School Day/Week www.walktoschool-usa.org Bikes Belong Coalition www.bikesbelong.org Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/kidswalk Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) - Traffic Calming www.ite.org/traffic/ Iowa Bicycle Coalition www.iowabicyclecoalition.org Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) - Bicycle and Pedestrian Program www.iowadot.gov/iowabikes

Marin County, California Safe Routes to Schools Program (creators of the National Model Program) www.saferoutestoschools.org National Center for Bicycling and Walking www.bikewalk.org Safe Routes to School Toolkit www.nhtsa.dot.gov Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center www.pedbikeinfo.org Pedestrian Safer Journey: Skills for Safe Walking for Ages 5 to 18 www.pedbikeinfo.org/pedsaferjourney Safe Kids Walk This Way www.usa.safekids.org Safe Routes to School National Partnership www.saferoutespartnership.org

Iowa DOT - Project Development Information Guide www.iowadot.gov/local_systems

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