A March 1, 2013, deadline for submission of applications to the Safe Routes to School program has been set. Notification of awards is tentatively set for June with funds available October 1, 2013. On January 15, 2013, the Transportation Commission acted to approve the staff recommendations for Iowa’s Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) funding under MAP-21 which included distributing the vast majority of TAP funds to the metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) and regional planning affiliations (RPAs) for them to program on TAP-eligible projects. The March 1, 2013, Safe Routes to School application round will award the remaining dedicated Safe Routes to School funds available to the Iowa DOT under SAFETEA-LU. Under MAP-21, Safe Routes to Schools activities will be funded under TAP. Future Safe Routes to School projects will be awarded and programmed by the local MPOs and RPAs.
For more information about applying for MPO or RPA programmed TAP funds,
contact the MPO or RPA in the project area.
Overview
What is Safe Routes to School (SRTS)?
SRTS is a rising international effort to increase safety and promote walking and bicycling to school through the “5Es: engineering, education, enforcement, encouragement, and evaluation." The 2005 Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) federal transportation bill included a new SRTS federal funding source of $612 million over five years for both infrastructure and noninfrastructure reimbursement grants.
Reasons for the program
During the past two to three decades, there has been an incredible rise in obesity and physical inactivity in children and adults. The impact on health and health-care costs is high and will continue to rise dramatically. In 1969, roughly half of all children walked or biked to school. Now, it is about 15 percent. For school trips less than one mile, 29 percent walk or bike.
There is a strong correlation between communities with good bicycle and pedestrian environments, and having more active residents. Air quality and traffic congestion around schools has also become an issue.
Watch the Safe Routes to School video
View the Safe Routes to School PowerPoint® Presentation
Approved projects and funding amounts awarded for:
Federal fiscal year 2011Federal fiscal year 2010
Federal fiscal year 2009
Federal fiscal year 2007/2008
Federal fiscal year 2005/2006
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