Abstract:
These Safe Routes to School (SRTS) studies involved working with the city, school district, police department, principals, parents, teachers, children, and elected officials to identify obstacles along primary routes to school and to propose recommendations to improve safety. Additionally, the studies promoted public and student safety education regarding bicycle and pedestrian laws. Walkable Superior and Duluth elementary and middle schools in urban locations were examined in these studies. Diverse steering committees led these planning efforts with membership representing the School Board and School District; City Council, Planning, Engineering and Police departments; County Health Specialists; interested parents, and others. The study goal was “to provide safe and adequate routes leading to Superior and Duluth schools so that more students are able to safely walk or bike to school.” Students and parents were surveyed to identify safety issues around each school examined in these plans (11 schools total). Recommendations were proposed to address school safety issues. Some of the primary study recommendations address school site traffic circulation, pedestrian crossing amenities to increase visibility, traffic calming measures on nearby roads, sidewalk snow removal, and adjusting school start/end times to eliminate conflicts between elementary and middle school walkers and bikers and high school drivers. Student walking and biking routes to school were devised by examining techniques used by other communities that have conducted SRTS plans, and by working closely with local police to ensure that children are routed safely on roads and through neighborhoods.
