California: Statewide

California Safe Routes to School Legislation: Implementation

Lead Implementers:

Caltrans, Local Programs

Partners:

Local governments.

Location:

Statewide,  California

Contact Info:

Local Programs at Caltrans 
P.O. Box 942873
Sacramento, CA 94273-0001
916-654-5266

Web Address:

http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/LocalPrograms/saferoute.htm

Project Focus:

Aims to improve pedestrian and bike safety through funding local planning and construction of street design and traffic calming.

Summary:

Participants structure their proposed improvements to meet as many of the seven rating factors and criteria as possible. The statewide SR2S Project Recommendation Committee (comprised of representatives from federal, state, and local agencies along with bicycle and pedestrian stakeholder groups) guides the granting guidelines. Project applications will be rated in each of these categories as being excellent, good, fair, poor or ineligible. The following list identifies the seven factors:
• Identification and demonstration of needs
• Potential for proposed improvement to correct or improve the problem
• Potential for encouraging increased walking and bicycling among students
• Consultation and support for project by school-based associations, local traffic engineers, local elected officials, law enforcement agencies, school officials, and other community groups
• Potential for timely implementation of project
• Demonstrated relationship between the project and a Safe Routes to School plan
• Demonstrated coordination of SR2S funds with other activities, including education, enforcement and outreach activities

Engineering, Planning and Design Strategy:

Municipalities apply to State for grants, but must have input and involvement from the community. A wide range of traffic calming and traditional pedestrian safety approaches are eligible for funding.

Enforcement Strategy:

Not a focus

Educational Focus:

Not a focus

Built/Unbuilt-Urban/Suburban:

Statewide, all are eligible.

Status:

The program was oversubscribed in the first year by a factor of 6.5 ($130 million in proposals for $20 million available).

Budget:

Approximately $75 million for 3 years, in addition to $40 million originally allocated.

Funding Source:

From state law passed in 2000 to mandate one-third of Federal Hazard Elimination Program funds be set aside to fund local Safe Routes to School programs. See "Surface Transportation Policy Project Safe Routes to School Legislation" in this document.