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Q. Have there been any studies on school siting in Illinois?
A. The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning has produced a strategy paper on school siting in Northeast Illinois. The information can be accessed HERE  .
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Q. When we are using the data collection tool provided by the National Center for Safe Routes to School, is it better to enter individual or aggregate data results for our student travel tallies and parent surveys?
A. It is better to have the individual Parent Surveys and/or Student Travel Tally forms entered into the system as opposed to having aggregated information inputted into the system. The online system takes the individual survey information and aggregates it to the individual school level.
For example if you collect 100 parent surveys in the Fall 2008 for Sample Elementary, each of those surveys will be individually inputted into the system and a Fall 2008 Parent Survey Report can be generated based on the data contained in those 100 surveys.
If you have another school that you collected 75 Parent Surveys also in Fall 2008, those 75 individual Parent Surveys will be entered into the system under that particular school and the system will generate a report showing survey results from parents at that school.
Please keep in mind that if you are funded with Illinois SRTS funds, you will be required to enter your data with the National Center's data tool.
If you have additional questions, please contact:
Austin Brown, MPH MRP
Program Manager
National Center for Safe Routes to School, Highway Safety Research Center University of North Carolina
919.843.6794
brown@hsrc.unc.edu
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Q. Can I use Survey Monkey to administer my SRTS surveys?
A. Yes, but if you would like to do so, you will first need to contact Austin Brown at the National Center for Safe Routes to School.
Austin will assist you in setting up the survey so that the data response options and output files on Survey Monkey are generated in a manner that matches the variable names and data structure we use in the national database.
For assistance with this, please contact:
Austin Brown, MPH MRP
Program Manager
National Center for Safe Routes to School, Highway Safety Research Center University of North Carolina
919.843.6794
brown@hsrc.unc.edu
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Q. What communities are participating in Safe Routes to School during this planning and funding cycle?
A. Please see the list of approved plans and communities here: HERE .
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Q. I can see files listed in my GLOBAL files list, but my application (or plan) says that there are no files attached? Can you see these? How do I attach the files?
A. We cannot see the files uploaded to your personal Global Files list. They must be attached to the application. To attach them to the project, follow the directions below:
Log in and click on the Continue Application link to the right of your application.
You should be on a page titled: PREPARE A FUNDING APPLICATION.
Scroll down a little to the area that says PROJECTS FOR FUNDING APPLICATION. Pick your project, and click on Edit.
You are now on a page titled EDIT PROJECT. There is a GUI with the green/yellow/red "lights" at the top of the page.
Right below that, in big letters is a link: Click HERE to add files to this project.
When you click on that, it will take you to the file/image upload page. Make sure that you follow the instructions on that page to a "T". Once you have ATTACHED a file to the project, it will show up back on the EDIT PROJECT page under the "lights".
Please keep in mind that you will need to upload your letters of support for all projects. You must have a letter from the school authority on both types of application (INF and Non INF), and must have a letter from the local road jurisdiction on the INF application only. Also, if you are doing any work on a state road, you must have a letter of allowance from IDOT attached.
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Q. How do I ATTACH FILES to my application?
A. Log in and click on the Continue Application link to the right of your application.
You should be on a page titled: PREPARE A FUNDING APPLICATION.
Scroll down a little to the area that says PROJECTS FOR FUNDING APPLICATION. Pick your project, and click on Edit.
You are now on a page titled EDIT PROJECT. There is a GUI with the green/yellow/red "lights" at the top of the page.
Right below that, in big letters is a link: Click HERE to add files to this project.
When you click on that, it will take you to the file/image upload page. Make sure that you follow the instructions on that page to a "T". Once you have ATTACHED a file to the project, it will show up back on the EDIT PROJECT page under the "lights".
Please keep in mind that you will need to upload your letters of support for all projects. You must have a letter from the school authority on both types of application (INF and Non INF), and must have a letter from the local road jurisdiction on the INF application only. Also, if you are doing any work on a state road, you must have a letter of allowance from IDOT attached.
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Q. Do I need to include the pictures that I attached to my plan in the application, or will the reviewers have the plan and application when they do the review?
A. Yes, you need to attach the information to the application, even if you attached it to the plan. With the high volume of applications that we receive, the committee cannot look at all of the plans in addition to the applications. It should be really easy though, because you have already uploaded the files to your global files list, and all that you have to do is attach those files from the global to the application.
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Q. Our school district is considering building new schools. Where can I find additional information on school siting and the impact of school location on the ability for students to walk and bike?
A. Three new websites with resources on community centered schools, school siting, and facilities.
1. The Environmental Protection Agency has a new website on the school facility siting. The website has links to a broad set of environmental challenges and solutions regarding school facility siting.
http://www.epa.gov/schools/siting.html
2. The National Trust for Historic Preservation has a new website for the "Helping Johnny Walk to School" project. This project is funded through the cooperative agreement with EPA and the Jesse Ball duPont Fund. On the site you can see the states the Trust is working with currently in the project.
http://www.preservationnation.org/issues/historic-schools/additional-resources/community_centered_schools.html
3. Keynote speaker presentations at the Annual Safe Routes to School Coordinators meeting in May 2008. Presentations by Tim Arnade, Tim Torma, Howie Frumkin, and Chris Nelson. The National Center for Safe Routes to School site has all these presentations here:
http://www.saferoutesinfo.org/resources/webinars_srts2008.cfm
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Q. Where can I get the handouts from the 2008 Statewide SRTS training?
A. For the best practices, web resources and general information on the 2008 program click:
HERE , HERE , and HERE .
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Q. How long does reimbursement take?
A. Please check with your local roads district office about their timeframe for reimbursing the infrastructure projects. Non infrastructure can typically be reimbursed in 6-8 weeks, depending on coordinator availability.
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Q. Can the project components be reimbursed incrementally or does it have to be a lump sum when all projects are complete?
A. Projects can be reimbursed incrementally. Please check with your local roads district office about their rules for the infrastructure projects. Non infrastructure can be reimbursed in $5000 increments.
See elsewhere in the FAQ for the typical timeframe for the completion of Infrastructure/Engineering projects.
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Q. Do all the projects awarded in 2009 have to be completed in 2009?
A. No, the information on the projects is as follows:
Infrastructure must be completed within 3 years of your notice to proceed (signed and executed agreement) with IDOT. See elsewhere in the FAQ for the typical timeframe for the completion of Infrastructure/Engineering projects.
Non infrastructure must be completed within 1 year of the notice to proceed (signed and executed contract).
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Q. If we were to get our project funded, when would we find out?
A. Unsure. This depends on multiple factors, including the volume of applications, the amount of time that the scoring committee must take to review all of the applications, and receiving final approval of the committee's list. We hope that the announcements will be made in the spring, but this is just a guess-timate. The timetable for selection is still being determined.
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Q. Where can I find a sample resolution for our SRTS Application?
A. Click here HERE . You may also use a typical city council or school board resolution or letter of support. All resolutions and letters of support must be attached to your application, and should not be sent as hard copies to IDOT.
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Q. Is there a size limit for file uploads?
A. The file size limit for uploaded files is 3.9 Mb. This is a per image/file limit. You can upload multiple individual files that are each up to 3.9 Mb in size.
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Q. What schools in Illinois participated in International Walk to School Day?
A. Please visit the official Walk to School Day website for a list of the schools particpating in 2008 Walk to School Day/Month events. You may also register your event at this site!
http://www.walktoschool.org/who/seestate.cfm?st=IL
As of November 10, 2008, there were 152 events registered, happening in the following communities:
Addison
Aurora
Bartlett
Batavia
Belleville
Berwyn
Blue Island
Braceville
Brookport
Burr Ridge
Carol Stream
Champaign
Chicago
Clarendon Hills
Columbia
Country Club Hills
Decatur
Des Plaines
Dolton
Elmhurst
Evanston
Evergreen Park
Glen Ellyn
Glendale Heights
Harvey
Highland Park
Hinckley
Hinsdale
Hoffman Estates
Johnsburg
Lake Bluff
Lake Zurich
Lansing
Lincolnwood
Lockport
Lombard
Loves Park
Machesney Park
Maryville
Metropolis
Midlothian
Monee
Naperville
Northbrook
Northfield
O'Fallon
Oak Park
Palatine
Park Ridge
Plano
Prospect Heights
River Forest
Riverside
Robinson
Sandwich
Schaumburg
Skokie
South Wilmington
Urbana
Wheaton
Wilmette
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Q. How do I submit my School Travel Plan?
A. On your plan, at the bottom of your “green lights”, there will be a button to submit the plan. Just click it and it will come in to SafeRoutes. You will get an e-mail from SafeRoutes saying that you have submitted your plan.
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Q. How do I attach documents to my School Travel Plan?
A. To add a file to your Plan, you must upload your documents to your "global" document list. After you have done that, you must follow the instructions below:
First enter a name/description in the box below and then click select next to the corresponding file.
If the file is an image to be used for a logo for your Plan printout, click the logo checkbox.
After you have attached your files to the plan, please verify that the files have been attached.
Files that have been successfully attached will show up both on the main page of your plan, under the index, and also on this page under Listed below are the files that are associated with the Application, Plan or Project.
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Q. How do I clone my School Travel Plan?
A. If you had an approved School Travel Plan during the previous planning and application cycle, this is a way for the system to automatically generate a new plan for the 2008 cycle that will be pre-populated with the data from your approved 2007 STP. You will still need to go through the plan and update your information for 2008. This is a tool to help your team have a foundation on which to build, improving and updating your previous plan with new data, information and solutions. We anticipate that this option will become available in the next week. Please note that, if you choose to use the clone plan function, you will still need to provide detailed updated information for the current plan cycle.
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Q. I would like to have a private school added to the schools list so that I can include it in my SRTS plan. What information do I need to provide?
A. We require a little extra information to be able to add any schools are not in the ISBE database. In order to add these schools, please provide the following information so we can add the schools to Safe Routes.
• Full school name:
• Street address:
• City:
• Zip code:
• County:
• School administrator:
• Telephone number:
• Enrollment:
• Grades served:
• State representative number:
• State senator number:
• Federal congressional district number:
• School district code:
Additionally, in order to correctly locate your school on GIS, we will also need any cross streets that are adjacent to your school location.
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Q. Where can I find information in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices about Adult Crossing Guards and Student Crossing Guards?
A. Information on Crossing Guards can be found at:
http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/htm/2003r1r2/part7/part7e.htm
in Chapter 7E. Crossing Supervision.
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Q. Where can I find information from the Illinois SRTS Conference that was held in August of 2008?
A. Please visit the following website for additional information and downloads:
http://www.biketraffic.org/content.php?id=1609_0_11_0
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Q. Can I get a copy of the proclamation for International Walk to School Day and Month in Illinois?
A. Yes! This proclamation was issued by the Governors Office in September 2008. HERE
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Q. Are there any Illinois examples of informational handouts that a school or community could use to publicize their SRTS plans and programs at the beginning of the school year?
A. Yes. For an example, please click HERE . Special thanks to Jennifer Selby in Urbana for allowing us to use this, and to Cynthia Hoyle for passing this along!
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Q. What are eligible activities for SRTS?
A. A pdf version listing fundable activities is available on our website under the ILLINOIS PROGRAM link and is also pasted below. Non eligible activities include: Recurring and operational costs (salaries, overhead) with the exception of engineering costs; Reorganization of drop-off/pick-up zones primarily to benefit drivers; School bus safety programs; and Bus stop improvements.
List of 5 “E” funding for Illinois
Evaluation
• Costs for data gathering, analysis and evaluation reporting at the local project level.
• Photocopying, duplication and printing costs, including cd’s/dvd’s, etc.
• Mailing costs
• Counting the # of students who walk and bicycle to and from school
• Tracking the # of crashes within 2 miles of school
• Measuring parent/guardian perceptions of safety
• Obtaining planning services for expanding/improving an existing SRTS plan
Engineering
• Sidewalk Improvements
o New Sidewalk
o Sidewalk Repair
o Sidewalk Gap Closure
o Sidewalk Widening
o Sidewalk Curb
o Sidewalk Curb Ramp
• Traffic Calming/Speed Reduction
o Roundabout/Traffic Circle
o Bulb-out
o Speed Bump/Hump/Table
o Raised Crossing
o Median Refuge/Center Crossing
o Narrowed Traffic Lane
o Chicane
o Choker
o Lane Reductions
o Full/Half Street Closure
o Automated Speed Enforcement
• Traffic Control Devices
o New/Upgraded Traffic Signal
o New Pavement Markings
o New Traffic Striping
o In-Roadway Crossing Light
o Flashing Beacons
o Bike Sensitive Signal Actuation Devices
o Pedestrian Activated Signal Upgrades
o Pedestrian Countdown Signals
o Vehicle Speed Feedback Signs
• Traffic Diversion
o Separation of bicycles and pedestrians from traffic adjacent to school facilities
o Traffic diversion away from school zone or designated route to school
o New/Revised Pick-up/Drop-off Zone
• Pedestrian and Bicycle Crossing Improvements
o Crossing
o Median Refuge
o Raised Crossing
o Sight Distance Improvements
o Pedestrian Bridge
o Pedestrian Tunnel
• On Street Bicycle Facilities
o New/Upgraded Bike Lane
o Widened Outside Lanes/Shoulders
o Geometric Improvements
o Turning Lanes
o Channelization
o Roadway Realignment
o Traffic Signs
o Pavement Markings
• Off Street Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities
o Exclusive Multi-Use Bicycle and Pedestrian Trail that is separated from the roadway
• Secure Bicycle Parking Facilities
o Bike Racks
o Bike Lockers
o Designated Area with Safety Lighting
o Covered Bike Shelters
Enforcement
• Costs for additional equipment needed for enforcement activities
o Create a crossing guard training program
o Create a parent or student patrol program
o Lower speed limits in school vicinity
o Utilize speed feedback trailers or signs
Education
• Creation of educational materials
• Bicycle and pedestrian and pedestrian safety curricula, materials and trainers.
o Teach pedestrian and bicycle safety skills to students and parents
o Organize a bicycle rodeo to teach on bike skills
o Teach personal safety skills to students and parents
o Teach the health, environmental and sustainable transportation benefits of walking and bicycling to students
o Educate parents and caregivers about safe driving procedures at the school
• Training, including SRTS training workshops that target school and community level audiences
Encouragement
• Creation of promotional materials
• Modest incentives for SRTS contests
o Initiate a reward program for safe travel behaviors among students
• Incentives that encourage more walking and bicycling over time
o Start a walking school bus program
o Start a bike train program
o Host International Walk to School Day or other special event
o Initiate a walking/biking mileage club or other contest
o Create a park & walk program
o Promote SRTS in the community
o Start
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Q. Where can I find the SRTS introductory PowerPoint, handout and talking points that have been created by the National Center for Safe Routes to School?
A. The National Center for Safe Routes to School has a downloadable PowerPoint presentation (5 MB) and script that may be useful:
http://www.saferoutesinfo.org/resources/marketing_presentations.cfm
A handout that describes Safe Routes to School is available at:
http://www.saferoutesinfo.org/resources/marketing_flyers-and-postcards.cfm
The talking points are available at:
http://www.saferoutesinfo.org/resources/marketing_talking-points.cfm
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Q. Can we use any of our surveys or documents from last year's School Travel Plan in our plan for this year? If so, what can be reused and what needs to be new?
A. Parent Surveys: As long as you believe that the perceptions remain the same, you would be able to use these over a 2 year period. Make sure that you identify that these are from the previous year.
In School Teacher/Student Surveys: I would STRONGLY RECOMMEND doing these surveys annually/new each school year. I would also strongly suggest entering them in the database at the National Center for Safe Routes to School.
Resolution from the City/ School District: These should be new each year, and be specific to the projects for which you are applying during this funding cycle. Remember that a resolution/letter of support from the school district is a REQUIREMENT for all infrastructure and non-infrastructure applications. Additionally, in cases of infrastructure applications, and additional letter of support from the sponsoring governmental agency (city, county, township, etc) is also required.
Community Surveys: As long as you believe that the community perceptions remain the same, you would be able to use these over a 2 year period. To be on the safe side, though, I would recommend updating these annually. If you choose to re-use this information, make sure that you identify that these are from the previous year.
Open House Documents: As long as you believe that the community perceptions remain the same, you would be able to use these over a 2 year period. To be on the safe side, though, I would recommend updating these annually. If you choose to re-use this information, make sure that you identify that these are from the previous year.
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Q. What kinds of laws are on the books in Illinois regarding the use of crosswalks and crosswalk enforcement?
A. Please look at the Illinois Compiled Statutes for additional information, or contact your local police department for more information. This information is available in 625 ILCS 5/Chapter 11 Article X - PEDESTRIANS' RIGHTS AND DUTIES. This information is a part of the Illinois Vehicle Code.
This includes information on on edestrians' right-of-way at crosswalks (625 ILCS 5/11-1002)and specific information, effective January 1, 2008, on Pedestrians' right-of-way at crosswalks in school zones(625 ILCS 5/11-1002) Sec. 11-1002.5.
For example, Illinois Public Act 95-0302 (625 ILCS 5/11-1002) Sec. 11-1002.5.: Creates the offense of failure to stop for or yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian in a crosswalk in a school zone. Provides that a first violation is a petty offense with a minimum fine of $150. Provides that a second or subsequent violation is a petty offense with a minimum fine of $300. Provides for the assessment of additional fees. Provides that certain provisions allowing for the imposition of court supervision do not apply to the new offense. Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code and the Unified Code of Corrections. Effective January 1, 2008.
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Q. I am interested in engineering strategies that may help our small, rural community. Are there any resources available on this issue?
A. Yes. Iowa State University recently released a study on traffic calming techniques for small Iowa towns. I believe that this resource is applicable to many of the small and rural communities in Illinois. With permission from the Iowa DOT, the abstract of the study and its web address are below.
Abstract: Many rural communities have developed around highways or major county roads; as a result, the main street through small rural communities is often part of a high-speed rural highway. Highways and county roads are characterized by high speeds outside the city limits; they then transition into a reduced speed section through the rural community. Consequently, drivers passing through the community often enter at high speeds and maintain those speeds as they travel through the community. Traffic calming in small rural communities along major roadways is common in Europe, but the U.S. does not have experience with applying traffic-calming measures outside of major urban areas.
The purpose of the project was to evaluate traffic-calming treatments on the major road through small Iowa communities using either single-measure low-cost or gateway treatments. The project was partially funded by the Iowa Highway Research Board (IHRB). The focus of the IHRB portion was to evaluate single-measure, low-cost, traffic-calming measures that are appropriate to major roads through small rural communities. 7 different low-cost traffic treatments were implemented and evaluated in 5 rural Iowa communities. The research evaluated the use of 2 gateway treatments in Union and Roland; 5 single-measure treatments (speed table, on-pavement "SLOW" markings, a driver speed feedback sign, tubular markers, and on-pavement entrance treatments) were evaluated in Gilbert, Slater, and Dexter.
This resource, Appropriate Traffic Calming Techniques for Small Iowa Communities (TR-523) can be accessed at: http://www.ctre.iastate.edu/research/detail.cfm?projectID=-226410767.
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Q. Where can I find information on the GIS mapping component?
A. Please visit the Resources page of this website for information on the GIS mapping.
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Q. Do you have any examples of Lesson Plans that we can use to tie-in with Safe Routes to School?
A. YES! Please visit the following websites for some great lesson plans and ideas... All are freely available for download:
Kentucky SRTS worked with a university to create the lessons and information at their website. This site includes lesson plans, a teacher's guide, vocabulary definitions and curriculum guide, along with other great resources. (Thanks to KY SRTS for sharing this information!!)
http://saferoutes.ky.gov/LessonPlan.html
The National Center for SRTS has recently posted lesson plans for pedestrian and bicycle education and others on environment and mode choice. Most are progressive, with one grade's learning objectives building on the previous grade. There is some overlap in the programs listed as a few address both safety and environmental angle.
http://www.walktoschool.org/resources
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Q. What is the point system for scoring SRTS applications?
A. The 2007 SRTS Scoring Criteria were set on a 50 Point Scale. The information below shows the application section name, the number of points available (in parentheses) and the criteria that it applies to, including its' number in the Public Act.
A. Contact Information Sheet/STP Information: (TOTAL 2 Pts) Proximity to parks and rec facilities (#7)
B. General Project Focus: (TOTAL: 3 Pts.)
Clearly demonstrates how this project addresses SRTS concerns as outlined in Public Act 94-493.
C. Demonstration of Need: 15Pts (TOTAL: 6 Pts)
Demonstrated Needs of Grant Applicant(#1); Potential for reducing child injuries and fatalities (#2)
D. Hazards and Barriers: (TOTAL: 8 Pts)
Identification of Safety Hazards (#4); Identification of current and potential walking/biking routes to school (#5)
E. Potential to Improve: (TOTAL: 15 Pts)
Potential of proposal for encouraging increased walking and bicycling among students (#3); Potential for reducing child injuries and fatalities (#2)
F. Project Detail and Cost: 10 Pts (TOTAL 15 Pts)
Addresses all criteria with exception of park/recreational facility. Clearly and completely explains details and costs of requested project.
G. Consultation and Support: 10 Pts (TOTAL 1 Pts)
Consultation and support… (#6)(Letters of Support/Resolutions are REQUIRED for application approval)
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Q. How much SRTS funding is available for the 2008 Funding Cycle?
A. We will be combining the remaining SRTS funds for Federal Fiscal Years 2008 and 2009 for Illinois' 2008 Funding Cycle. This means that there will be roughly $13 million available for this funding cycle. This is the balance of Illinois' allocation for SRTS funding in SAFETEA-LU.
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Q. Do you have any hints on how to make our application the best it can be for the 2008 funding cycle?
A. Yes, please refer to the Best Practices document. It was compiled based on feedback from the SRTS Implementation (Scoring) Committee. HERE
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Q. Is there information available showing the distribution of the 2007 Safe Routes to School funds?
A. Yes, please see this document for a breakdown of how Illinois' 2007 funding cycle was allocated. HERE
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Q. Is the individual score available for my application from last year?
A. No, we are unable to share that information. However, we do have a Best Practices document that may help you to improve your next application. HERE
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Q. What are the steps that our municipality or county must follow to implement our SRTS infrastructure project?
A. The basic steps are outlined in this document. For the complete and in-depth process required by IDOT and FHWA, contact your IDOT District Local Roads Office. They will be happy to work with you to initiate this process and to answer any questions that you may have. They will also be able to share with you the timeframe for completing this process and for reimbursement for completed work. HERE
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Q. What communities in Illinois participated in the Safe Routes to School planning process during the Spring 2007 cycle?
A. For a list of these communities, please see the document HERE .
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Q. Where can I find a copy of the Circular Letter from IDOT Local Roads?
A. Click HERE
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Q. Do you have to create/complete an application for every strategy that was identified on your school travel plan?
A. No, you only have the ability to complete project funding requests for the strategies for which you are asking for SRTS funding this year. For example, if you are asking for new signage, paid for with SRTS funds, but are also planning to host International Walk to School Day using funding from a local business, you only need to complete an application for the signage. If you are NOT planning to use SRTS funding for a project, it should not be in your application. If you are asking for SRTS funding, the project should be part of your application.
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Q. Do you have to have a resolution AND a letter of support from each jurisdiction?
A. No, from a jurisdiction, you need either a letter OR a resolution of support for the project(s).
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Q. I already attached the map (resolution, letter, etc) to the plan. Do I need to attach it again to the application?
A. Yes, you will need to attach all applicable letters/resolutions of support, maps and any additional documents to your application, even if it was also attached to your travel plan. This means that a document or map may be attached to both your plan and your application individually and separately. For each application, you should attach a letter of support for each jurisdiction impacted.
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Q. Can I easily re-order my priorities once they are in my application?
A. Yes, you will be able to move projects up and down using the "Move Up" and "Move Down" buttons on your application page.
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Q. Sometimes, when I am working on a page in my application for a long period of time, my information doesn’t save and I get taken back to the home page. Why?
A. There is a “time out” of around 40 minutes, set by the state agency that manages our computer servers. This means that if you are working on a single page for that long without any communication between your computer and the server, you will “time out”. If you are constantly interrupted when working on your application, or simply have a great deal of information that you are adding to one page, save frequently.
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Q. How long must a jurisdiction maintain a SRTS infrastructure project?
A. The project sponsor or designee must be able to maintain any infrastructure project for 20 years.
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Q. In student demographics, we have a ethnic groups, such as Native American and Multi-racial/Ethnic listed for our district that are not represented in the student demographics chart, but there is no option for multi-racial/ethnic on the demographics chart. What do I do?
A. If you have students who are included in the category “multi-racial/ethnic”, please enter the data in the box labeled "other".
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Q. Does my municipality need to match the state funds?
A. No, your municipality does not have to provide a match for Safe Routes to School funding. This program is 100% federally funded with no match required.
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Q. Who is eligible to apply for funding?
A. Any government entity (State, regional or local) and any non-profit organization may apply for Safe Routes to School funds.
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Q. For how much may we apply?
A. One infrastructure and one non-infrastructure application permitted per school district*
(*exception for Chicago Public Schools)
One Infrastructure Application per school district:
$250,000 funding limit for total application, with up to a 3 project maximum
$2,000 minimum funding per individual project
Associated municipality, county, township, or park district must sponsor – school districts and non-profits may not sponsor
All infrastructure projects must be within 2 miles of a public or private that houses any combination of students in grades K-8
One Non-infrastructure Application per school district:
$100,000 funding limit for total application, with up to a 3 project maximum
$2,000 minimum funding per individual project
School district, municipality, county, township, or park district or non-profit may sponsor
For all applications, the school district must prioritize the projects in their applications. They will prioritize infrastructure and non-infrastructure separately.
Individual projects will be fully funded, but it is possible that entire applications will not.
*Because all Chicago public schools fall under Chicago Public Schools’ application, we recommend that they are allowed a total of 5 applications, 3 Infrastructure and 2 Non-Infrastructure. This multiplier is based on the enrollment data provided to us from the Illinois State Board of Education, showing a total of 1.3 million public school students attending school daily statewide. The 2007 average daily attendance for K-8 schools in Cook County schools was 494,829 students, roughly five times greater than the average daily attendance of the next largest county – DuPage, with 98,703 students attending. The funding cap per application will remain the same, making Chicago Public Schools eligible for $750,000 in Infrastructure and $200,000 in Non-Infrastructure Funding.
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Q. What kinds of projects are eligible?
A. Both infrastructure and non-infrastructure projects are eligible for Safe Routes funding.
For a detailed list of fundable activities, please click HERE
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Q. What is a School Travel Plan and why do I need to create one?
A. The Illinois School Travel Plan is an online planning tool, accessible through the Illinois SRTS web site. The Plan allows you to create a personalized School Travel Plan individual to your own school and community. A School Travel Plan is a great tool for your community to use in determining the barriers that it faces for bicyclists and pedestrians. It then guides you in establishing the steps that can be taken to make your environment a better place for students to walk and bike.
For more information on the School Travel Plan, please click HERE.
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Q. By what criteria will applications be judged?
A. The applications will be judged based on the criteria set forth in Illinois Public Act 94-493, The Safe Routes to School Construction Program, signed into law on August 8, 2005. Those criteria are the:
1. demonstrated needs of the grant applicant;
2. potential of the proposal for reducing child injuries and fatalities;
3. potential of the proposal for encouraging increased walking and bicycling among students;
4. identification of safety hazards;
5. identification of current and potential walking and bicycling routes to school;
6. consultation and support for projects by school-based associations, local traffic engineers, local elected officials, law enforcement agencies, and school officials; and
7. proximity to parks and other recreational facilities.
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Q. What is the timetable for selection?
A. The timetable for selection is still being determined.
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Q. What are the upfront costs for communities?
A. The Safe Routes to School Program sponsors will reimburse the sponsors for their awarded project cost. Sponsors of non-infrastructure projects will need to have sufficient funds for the entire project prior to reimbursement.
Sponsors of infrastructure projects may choose a local letting process or IDOT letting process. If using the IDOT letting process, the state will front the funding for the construction of the project.
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Q. What happens after I win a SRTS award for Infrastructure (Engineering)?
A. After you are notified that you have been chosen for Safe Routes funding for an infrastructure/engineering project, you must contact IDOT’s District Local Roads office to begin the process of formalizing an agreement between your governmental entity and the Illinois Department of Transportation.
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Q. Can projects be funded retroactively?
A. No projects will be funded retroactively. Because of the way that the program works, and the way that the funding agreements and reimbursements will work, it would be impossible to retroactively approve plans and create funding agreements.
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Q. Can SRTS funding be used for in-house construction? For example, may our existing staff build the infrastructure projects or does it need to be bid out?
A. Yes, you may use SRTS funding for in-house construction for infrastructure projects selected through the SRTS program. Work on these projects may not begin until after the notice to proceed has been given. There will be no retroactive funding for costs incurred prior to the notice to proceed.
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Q. Can SRTS funding be used for in-house engineering? For example, may we fund our existing staff or does it need to be bid out?
A. Yes, you may use SRTS funding for in-house engineering for infrastructure projects selected through the SRTS program. The SRTS program will not cover expenses incurred until after the notice to proceed has been given. There will be no retroactive funding for costs incurred prior to the notice to proceed.
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Q. What design standards will the engineering projects be held to?
A. Standards and procedures are outlined in Part III and IV of the BLRS Manual, http://www.dot.il.gov/blr/manuals/blrmanual.html.
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Q. What kinds of lettings will be allowed for SRTS projects?
A. We will be allowing both IDOT and local lettings for these projects; however local lettings for infrastructure projects will require prior approval through your Districts Local Roads office.
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Q. Are there any special procedures that locals need to go through to get a local letting?
A. Request it through their District Bureau of Local Roads offices with their reasons why and justification that the local agency is adequately staffed to conduct a local letting as outlined in Chapter 24 of the BLRS manual, http://www.dot.il.gov/blr/manuals/blrmanual.html.
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Q. How does the Local Agency Agreement process work?
A. The formatted agreement would be sent to the local agency upon selection of their project for funding. The local agency would then execute the contract (get it signed by the appropriate person, pass a city ordinance, etc) and then start coordination with the IDOT District Local Roads staff. The District would sign off and send to Central Local Roads for final execution by the Department. The final executed agreement would then be returned to the District and the local agency.
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Q. I need to contact my IDOT Local Roads Engineer regarding a project in the state right-of-way or IDOT standards questions, but I don’t know who I should call.
A. Please refer to the map below to determine who your Local Roads Engineer is and how you can contact him/her.
For a map of IDOT Districts, please click
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Q. Can these funds be used for improvements to railroad crossings?
A. There is nothing in the federal legislation that prohibits the use of SRTS funds for these types of improvements. However, unless it is absolutely necessary, keeping pedestrian traffic from crossing RR tracks is typically a safer alternative. We suggest considering the use of alternate funding using Railroads funds instead of SRTS funding for this type of project. We would also suggest considering applying for non-infrastructure funding for enforcement and education projects.
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Q. Can SRTS funds be used to compliment another project that is already planned? For example, if a sidewalk completion project is already on the table, can SRTS funding supplement the project?
A. Yes, you may apply for SRTS funding as a portion of a project that you are currently planning to do.
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Q. Can SRTS funds be used as the local match for other federal projects?
A. No, SRTS funds may not be used as the local match for any other federal project.
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Q. Can I use MFT funds to “front” the money for our Safe Routes project?
A. It is possible, depending on what the project. For information on acceptable uses of MFT funds, please see page 21, 23 and 27 of the booklet “Motor Fuel Tax Funds – Source, Distribution and Uses” at http://www.dot.state.il.us/blr/mftbooklet.pdf.
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Q. I thought that we were going to be required to map our infrastructure projects using GIS mapping, but the plan said that I didn’t have to. What is the actual requirement?
A. To make the process a little easier for communities given the short time frame for the 2007 cycle, we decided to make the mapping optional for applicants for this cycle only. Anyone who receives funding will be required to map their improvements as a requirement of funding.
GIS mapping will be a requirement for all 2008 School Travel Plans.
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Q. Who is required to maintain funded infrastructure projects?
A. The sponsoring agency must make the appropriate arrangements to maintain their funded infrastructure project for 20 years, per federal requirements.
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Q. What happens if we requested a specific amount of funding for our project but it ends up costing more than what we requested? For example, we requested $200,000 for our bike path, and the actual cost will be $300,000?
A. The amounts that are funded are “do not exceed” amounts, meaning that the amount that you have been awarded is the maximum amount of money that you can receive for that project. You will be responsible for completing the project using your own funds.
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Q. Speed feedback signs and trailers are listed under both the Engineering and Enforcement options. What is the difference?
A. Under Engineering, fixed (installed in the ground) speed feedback signs are eligible. The option under Enforcement is for portable speed feedback devices and trailers, those that can be re-located as necessary. In both cases, these devices must be used within a 2 mile radius of the school, and solely for school zone speed enforcement efforts.
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