SRTS Coalition Meeting Notes - Bloustein School of Planning and ...

SRTS Coalition Meeting Notes
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Voorhees Transportation Center
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
33 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ
Attendees Organization
John Strachan DHTS
Dan Nemiroff DVRPC
Caroline Trueman FHWA
Cheryl Kastrenakes GMTMA
Tara Shepherd HART TMA
Carolyn Hohne Hohne Consulting
Amina Ghoul Hudson TMA
Faiza Rasheed Hudson TMA
Barbara Lyons Mackay School
Karen Potts Mackay School
Rich Felsing Meadowlink
Caroline Granick Middlesex County Dept. of Planning
Sharon Roerty National Center for Bicycling and Walking
Maureen Donnelly NJ Safe Kids South Jersey
Haydee Perez-Livingston NJDOE
Elise Bremer-Nei NJDOT
Sheree Davis NJDOT
Beverly Stern NJSSNA
Megan Kelly NJTPA
Theresa Sternig Piscataway
James Crane Ridewise TMA
Jeanne Johnson Ridgewood
Laura Torchio The RBA Group
Joseph R. Caravella TransOptions, Inc.
Leigh Ann Von Hagen Voorhees Transportation Center
Sean Meehan Voorhees Transportation Center
Elizabeth Cox Voorhees Transportation Center
Susan O'Donnell Eng-Wong, Taub & Assoc.
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I. General Introductions
II. NJDOT SRTS Grant Updates and Highlights
a. Elise Bremer‐Nei went over the 2008 grant recipients and summarized the
awards. There were four grants awarded in Hunterdon County. The
applications were well coordinated. More cities also received grants,
including Jersey City and New Brunswick. The TMA’s were thanked for all
of their help.
b. Elise Bremer‐Nei informed the group that her focus is trying to get everyone
through the federal process. Only 50% of the 2007 grants have been
authorized. Those with infrastructure projects have run into trouble with
completing their environmental documents. July is the deadline to get
authorized and grantees need to work with Local Aid to get the documents
in.
III. Urban Demonstration Program
a. Elise Bremer‐Nei provided an update on the Urban Demonstration program.
• The purpose of the program is to help Urban Disadvantaged Areas
Plan their SRTS Program and to help NJDOT meet FHWAʹs
requirements for aid to diverse participants.
• The program is focused on two schools in three cities; Newark,
Trenton, and Camden.
• As part of the programs, a stakeholder committee in each city was
set up and they identified two schools to target, program awareness
meetings and fieldwork were conducted, and Workshops/student
discussions and walkabouts were held. Travel plans have been
created for each of the schools.
• On Tuesday, March 24, 2009, follow‐up meetings were held with the
two schools in Newark. The plan was well received and things are
happening. The New Jersey Conservancy has planted some trees in
front of the school and a lot of good partnerships have been made.
Follow‐up meetings are planned for Camden and Trenton later this
spring.
IV. SRTS Report Card Overview
a. Laura Torchio from the RBA Group reviewed and summarized the findings
of the SRTS Report Card.
• The purpose of the report card is to evaluate the program based on
the components of the Strategic Plan. It is broken into three parts:
NJ SRTS Program Overview, NJ SRTS Program Progress Report,
and NJ SRTS Program Highlights.
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• The report card has not yet been reviewed by NJ DOT so it is still in
draft form. However, the report card showed that the program has
made a lot of progress.
• Sharon Roerty stated that New Jersey’s is the only program she is
aware of that is doing a full statewide evaluation.
V. SRTS Strategic Plan Update
a. Leigh Ann Von Hagen gave details about the authorization process for the
federal transportation bill. Discussions are scheduled to start in May but
many don’t think authorization will happen quickly. It is likely that there
will be an extension of the program as it stands. Ideally, the bill will be
authorized and money will be there. We need to decide what to do in the
future with the current level of funding but we also need to think about how
to keep the program running if the federal money is not there.
b. Leigh Ann Von Hagen reported that the Voorhees Transportation Center is
trying to provide more technical assistance. She let attendees know that they
can set up walking school bus training for their communities and that VTC is
working on providing resources and assistance to help schools with setting
up International Walk to School Day activities. Assistance with
environmental documents is another need to be addressed.
c. Leigh Ann asked coalition members if there are additional areas of technical
assistance they would like. The responses are below.
• Theresa Sternig, a mother with a child in kindergarten in
Piscataway, is looking for information on liability and policy
development, navigating through levels of bureaucracy, how to get
attorneys and insurance experts involved and some success stories
to share. Ms. Sternig reported that she bought a bicycle and a trailer
for her daughter and that they then started biking to school. The
other students loved it and she realized biking was a good way for
her daughter to socialize. She decided to start hosting a bike night in
her neighborhood. The Lake Nelson Bike Night met every week in
September and October and will be starting up again soon. Ms.
Sternig would like to apply for a SRTS grant next year.
• Leigh Ann Von Hagen informed the group that VTC is looking into
walk and bike policies.
• Other areas identified for greater technical assistance
o Bike to school trains
o How to start SRTS on a shoestring and how to build upon
little successes
o Template Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) – what
questions to ask and who should be contacted
o Asset Mapping – how to pull together a list of all other
programs and funding ‐ Broadening other funding
opportunities –showing people what else is out there and
connections between other programs.
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o SRTS as a philosophy. It is more than a program, can be used
as an approach for everything that is done.
o Integrated curriculum
o Local SRTS coordinators
a. Possibility of the transportation coordinator to also be
the SRTS coordinator?
o Work with schools to develop curriculum. Put together a
video to teach kids/parents/teachers
o Statewide Marketing Campaign like the “cross at the green
and not in between” campaign in NYC
o Partnerships with NJEA and NJAPHERD
o Compare SRTS funding with bus funding
o Develop an online tool to show people how much money they
will save by walking or biking
o Develop one‐pagers showing the connection between SRTS
and obesity, environment, improved test scores. Exercise
improves test scores. Less focus on negativity.
o Provide a consultant to towns to help deal with the paperwork
and the regulations.
o Establish a planning period to allow grantees time to “get their
ducks in a row.” The grant period would not start until after
the planning period.
o Assistance to let communities know what types of projects are
good to apply for.
VI. Local Presentation – Tenafly
a. Barbara Lyons, a school nurse in Tenafly, and Karen Potts, a PE teacher in
Tenafly, gave a presentation on the SRTS program in Tenafly.
• Tenafly is a 4.5 square mile municipality developed as a walking
community. The town does not provide busing.
• In October 2008, Tenafly held a successful bike rodeo. Over 100
students participated. A video of the event was produced for the
kids.
• Created a Tenafly SRTS logo.
• Established the Mileage Program as an incentive. Children who
walked on Walk to School Day received an orange wristband with
the Tenafly SRTS logo.
• March 1 st they kicked off Walk to School Wednesdays. Children
who walk 5 Wednesdays receive a carabiner. Another 5 Wednesdays
and they will receive a key chain with a little sneaker and if they
walk 15 Wednesdays they get a water bottle. So far they have had
60-70% participation.
• They have also sold pedometers for $5 each. The children are
accountable for their steps. They get a little toe token for every
10,000 steps they take. 3,000 tokens have been given out in a month.
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• In April they hope to start a walking school bus.
VII. TMA Presentation – HART TMA
a. Tara Shepherd from HART, the Hunterdon County TMA, described the
process they went through to complete the Hunterdon County Coalition
SRTS Application.
• They decided it was important to start laying the groundwork in
2002. In 2003‐2004 they obtained information from each school
about how students travel to school, the existing conditions and
interest in the SRTS program. From this they determined that ten
schools were good candidates for the SRTS program.
• TMA’s are good partners because they have a dedicated interest in
walking and biking and can offer assistance putting applications
together.
VIII. Program Updates for All members
a. Ridgewood has started a shoe recycling program. If you donate a pair of
sneakers, you are entered into a raffle to win a new pair of sneakers from a
local running store.
The next SRTS Coalition Meeting will be held in October 2009, date and location TBA.
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NJ SRTS Program Report Card
NJ SRTS REPORT CARD
Program – Progress Report - Highlights
NJ SRTS Program Overview
& Accomplishments
NJ SRTS Program
Next Steps
SRTS Coalition Meeting 3/25/09
A Three Piece Suit
NJ SRTS Program Overview
NJ SRTS Program Progress Report
NJ SRTS Program Highlights
NJ SRTS Program
Four Phases
Accomplishments
Support for the Program
NJ SRTS Program Progress Report
Evaluation Based on Strategic Plan

NJ SRTS Program Report Card
NJ SRTS Program Progress Report
Strategic Plan
2. SRTS Training Programs
Complete or Ongoing In Process or Not Yet Started
Awareness Clinics &
Brief Presentations
Local Leadership
Training
Walking School Bus
Training
Webinars
SRTS Coalition Meeting 3/25/09
Federal Aid Process
Training
Local Implementation
Training
International Walk to
School Day
4. SRTS Evaluation & Measurement
Complete or Ongoing In Process or Not Yet Started
Evaluation
Methodology
Baseline Data
Collection
Attitudinal Surveys
Return on Investment
Survey Evaluation
Survey Distribution
Research & Policy
Papers
Hwy. Ramp Hazards &
School Proximity
1. Program Development
Complete or Ongoing In Process or Not Yet Started
State-funded Safe Streets Program
SRTS Coordinator
Strategic Plan
SRTS Web Site
Toolbox
Brochure & Success Stories
Safe Routes Scoop
Grant App. and Guide
Selection Criteria
Selection Committee
Local Aid Partnership
Online Application
Statewide SRTS Coalition (YOU!)
3. Technical Assistance
Bicycle & Pedestrian
Resource Center
SRTS Listserv
Demonstration
Programs
SRTS Travel Plan
Program Review
Project Streamlining
SRTS Grant Management
Complete or Ongoing In Process or Not Yet Started
5. Institutionalizing SRTS
Develop Synergies
Across the State
State Hwy. SRTS
Improvements
Presentations (as
needed)
Model Urban SRTS
Program
Complete or Ongoing In Process or Not Yet Started
Walking for Health &
Environment Curriculum
Bicycle Education
Program
Establishment of School
Siting Criteria
Utilize Additional Fed.
Funds for SRTS

NJ SRTS Program Report Card
NJ SRTS Program Progress Report
REPORT CARD
NJ SRTS Program Highlights
Recognition and Awards
LAURA TORCHIO AICP
SENIOR PLANNER, THE RBA GROUP
7 CAMPUS DRIVE, SUITE 300
PARSIPPANY, NJ 07054
973.946.5704
LTORCHIO@RBAGROUP.COM
WWW.RBAGROUP.COM
Contact Information
SRTS Coalition Meeting 3/25/09
NJ SRTS Program Progress Report
NJ’s Local Program Funding
NJ SRTS Program Highlights
Recognition and Awards

2003-2004 Analysis
HUNTERDON COUNTY
SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL
EFFORTS
Goal: Analyze existing conditions
to determine feasibility of
SRTS programming in
Hunterdon County.
Objectives:
1. Obtain detailed info of
conditions at each school
2. Determine current level of
activity.
3. Evaluate connectivity of
schools to activity centers
4. Prioritize the viability of
improved ped/bike facilities at
each school.
Coalition Application
Site Visits- Walkability/Bikeabilty Checklists
Type of Road?- County, State, Municipal
Description of School Settingrural,
downtown/village, highway
Date of Visit/Day of Week/Time of Day?
School in Session?
Nearest Activity Center/
School as activity center?
Sidewalks? (present, condition, used, cow paths?)
Crossing?
Driver Behavior Observed
Ease of walk/bike?
Other observations (scary dogs or people, lighting, trash)
PHOTOS to document environment, observations
Hunterdon County, New Jersey
Land size: approximately 430 sq. miles
Bordered to the west by Pennsylvania
Population: 130,404 persons
Municipalities: 26
School Districts: 31 (42 elementary/intermediate schools)
Data Collection
1. Site Visits
2. Walkability/Bikeabilty Checklists
3. Student Commute Profiles
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Student Commute Profiles
Sent to all 26 schools;
submitted by administration
Fax Back Form
• Student population
• # of students currently:
• Bused
• Dropped by car
• Bicycling
• Walking
• History of Bike/Walk at School
• Perceived interest in SRTS
Identifying “Opportunity”
Characteristics
1. Presence of Sidewalks
2. Proximity to residential uses
3. Proximity to activity center
4. Existence of some level of bike/ped activity
already
5. Perceived or actual low speeds/volumes of
traffic
6. Interest from school administration
Prioritization of Schools
Category A
Had at least 4 of 6 characteristics for
“Opportunity”- most often sidewalks,
adjacent residential, some bike/ped
activity
Category B
Some “opportunity” characteristics,
improvements needed, but still viable.
Category C
Had most, if not all “Constraints”
characteristics; low viability.
100% Responsevital
Identifying “Constraint”
Characteristics
1. Lack of Sidewalks
2. Missing links to sidewalks
3. No adjacent residential uses
4. No adjacent activity center/isolated
5. Perceived or actual high speeds or volume
of traffic
6. Lack of school administration interest.
FINDINGS
Category A 24% (10 of 42)
Category B 14% ( 6 of 42)
Category C 62 % (26 of 42)
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Safe Routes to School
Where it is safe, get kids walking/bicycling;
Where it is not safe, make it safe
Coalition Identified
1. Bloomsbury School
2. Califon School
3. Clinton Public School
4. Barley Sheaf School, Raritan Twp.
5. Frenchtown Elementary
6. Hampton Public School
7. Lebanon Borough School
8. Milford Public School
9. Stockton Borough School
10. Reading-Flemington Intermediate
School
Hunterdon County SRTS Program Scope and Budget
1. In Street Pedestrian Crossing Signs
2. Hand Held Crossing Guard STOP signs
3. Safety vests, rain suits (crossing guards, students)
4. Pedometers
5. Walking School Bus “Panel Set”
6. Bicycle Helmets
8. Frequent Walker Cards (punch cards for frequent participation)
9. Incentives for teacher/faculty participation
10. Walking School Bus “Bus Stop” Signs
11. Laminated “Safe Routes To School” Lawn signs
12. Printed materials- flyers, handouts, brochures
13. Newspaper "Safe Routes to School Hunterdon" Advertising
Campaign/Kids Page
14. Website Updating
TOTAL
20
20
misc.
225
30
130
1200
misc.
114
150
misc.
$3,000.00
$4,000.00
$2,240.00
$2,700.00
$2,000.00
$2,000.00
$1,200.00
$3,500.00
$800.00
$1,050.00
$6,800.00
$15,710.00
$1,000.00
$46,000.00
Coalition Application Concept
10 schools
All but one town less than 1.5 square miles
Individual needs all relatively small
Request per school- $5,000 or less
NON INFRASTRUCTURE
Building the Application
• Meetings with each school
• Revisit conditions since “C&O A”
• Review of efforts to date
• Budget requests (wish lists)
• Development of Travel Plans
• Letters, Resolutions of Support
• Application
Coordination with Other Local
Non-Infrastructure Applications
Town of Clinton
Borough of Milford
Raritan Township
Cross support between infrastructure
and non infrastructure applications.
3

Lessons Learned~ So far…
Pre application:
1. Do your homework~ take time to do inventory and analysis.
Details will be vital to application.
2. Present a complete package to school administration, including
Travel Plan.
3. Provide staff assistance, volunteer assistance, TMA
engagement. Don’t rely on school to take lead.
4. Stress that funding is available.
Application Development:
1. Strength in numbers/shared services/resources.
2. Coordination with non infrastructure projects.
3. Get broad support in the form of letters, resolutions, etc.
(Superintendents, BOE, Principals, PTA, Town Council, Freeholders,
local hospital)
Current Status
December 2008- Notification of Award
January 2009- Held meeting with NJDOT Local Aid
Representatives
March 2009- Still waiting final authorization
Maintaining contact with schools; encourage ongoing planning
GOAL: Spring 2010 Program Launch
Lessons Learned~ So far…
Application Submission
1. Read SRTS Application Guidance document.
2. Be complete in application.
3. Show “big picture”~ don’t isolate your project~ illustrate
relationship of school to surrounding efforts, conditions.
4. Watch NJDOT SAGE System “How to” online training video.
5. Take your time when completing online SAGE application.
Contact:
Tara Shepherd, Executive Director
HART Commuter Information Services (TMA)
908-788-5553
tara@hart-tma.com
Find your TMA:
http://www.state.nj.us/transportation/commuter/rideshare/tma.shtm
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