In order to achieve the goals of the Safe Routes to School program, SRTS-SF will be implementing the 5 E’s:
Education
Educate 2nd grade classes on pedestrian safety
Educate 4th grade classes on bicycle safety
Distribute traffic safety packets to drivers near schools
Distribute walk & bike maps for students specific to schools
Encouragement
Organize International Walk to School Day events (October 5, 2011)
Organize San Francisco Bike to School Day (April 12, 2012)
Engineering
Conduct walk and bike audits at schools
Install bike racks at schools
Enforcement
Enforce traffic laws around schools
Utilize speed radar signs near schools
Evaluation
Collect and analyze how schoolchildren get to and from school
Collect and analyze surveys from parents on knowledge and
attitudes towards walking and biking
Solutions to issues identified by a Safe Routes to School committee often include a combination of evaluation, education, encouragement, engineering and enforcement strategies. Safety is the first consideration. If it is not safe for children to walk and bicycle to school, then they should only be encouraged after problems are evaluated and addressed. Some problems will require engineering solutions; other may require education, encouragement, enforcement or a combination of strategies. It is likely that the Safe Routes to School committee will generate a long list of potential ideas and solutions. The next step is to prioritize the list.
Many Safe Routes to School enhancements can cost very little money. For example, most Walk to School Day coordinators say they spend less than $100 on planning and conducting their events. Many resources such as curricula are already available for student education, and there are many low-cost engineering solutions that can often be put in place in a relatively short amount of time such as new signs or freshly marked crosswalks.
On the other hand, some changes, such as new sidewalk construction, may need large amounts of capital and may take awhile to get funded and ultimately constructed. It is important to work with the Municipal Transportation Agency in identifying feasible engineering solutions that meet applicable standards and to assist in seeking funding for implementation. Most moderate to higher cost engineering solutions will likely require outside funding from regional, state or federal sources.