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Student Travel Tally Week is September 16 - 20

All schools are encouraged to participate in Student Travel Tally Week in September.  This annual count of the number of students who walk and bike to school helps measure the success of SRTS programs throughout the state.  All schools are encouraged to participate, regardless of the status of a local SRTS program. 

More information about Student Travel Tally Week is under School Travel Plans and Grants.  Or call the Virginia SRTS program hotline at 1-855-601-7787.

Recent QuickStart Mini-grant awards

VDOT has awarded another group of QuickStart Mini-grants from applications received in April and May.  Congratulations to these schools. A list of all QuickStart Mini-grants awarded is on the QuickStart Mini-grants page.  

The QuickStart Mini-grant program is taking a short summer break, with applications deadlines starting again in July.  Consider applying for a grant for a back to school event or something in October for Walk to School Day.  

• July 18
• August 15
• September 19

Purpose

The Safe Routes to School Program is a federally-funded program created under Section 1404 of the 2005 Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU).

As written in SAFETEA-LU, the purpose of the SRTS program is to:

• Enable and encourage children, including those with disabilities, to walk and bicycle to school
• Make bicycling and walking to school a safer and more appealing transportation alternative, thereby encouraging a healthy and active lifestyle from an early age
• Facilitate the planning, development, and implementation of projects and activities that will improve safety and reduce traffic, fuel consumption, and air pollution in the vicinity of schools

In July, a new transportation bill was signed into law – MAP-21.  Unlike the previous legislation, MAP-21 does not provide funding specifically for Safe Routes to School (SRTS). Instead, SRTS activities will be eligible to compete for funding alongside other programs, including the Transportation Enhancements program and Recreational Trails program, as part of a new program called Transportation Alternatives.

The Virginia Department of Transportation is in the process of determining how to implement the new legislation and awaiting further guidance from FHWA.  As more information becomes available, we will share it with you.

Virginia SRTS Program Strategic Plan

The VDOT Safe Routes to School Program completed a Strategic Plan to guide our work through 2017.  The Plan is available for download by clicking on the cover. 

Contact Info

Robert J. Williams
Safe Routes to Schools Program coordinator
Transportation and Mobility Planning Division
Virginia Department of Transportation
1401 E. Broad St.
Richmond, VA 23219

robertj.williams@vdot.virginia.gov
Phone: 804-371-4868
Fax: 804-225-4785
TTY: 711