Nishuane Elementary School - NJ Safe Routes to School

Montclair Safe Routes to School ProgramSafe Routes to School Travel Plan – Nishuane Elementary School2013Safe Routes to SchoolTravel PlanNishuane Elementary SchoolPrepared By:In Association with:S:\Project\J458800 Montclair SRTS Workshops\Travel Plans\Nishuane Travel Plan\Nishuane Travel Plan 4-4-13.docxPage | 0March 2013

Montclair Safe Routes to School ProgramSafe Routes to School Travel Plan – Nishuane Elementary SchoolTable of ContentsI. Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 3II. Montclair SRTS Team and Partnerships ...................................................................................... 5III. School Profile ................................................................................................................................. 8School Description ................................................................................................................................ 8Map 1 – School Location Map ................................................................................................................... 9School Demographic Information .................................................................................................... 10IV. Current School Travel Environment .......................................................................................... 11V. Evaluating Opportunities and Constraints ............................................................................... 13Stakeholder Interviews ....................................................................................................................... 13Neighborhood Mapping .................................................................................................................... 14Team Observation .............................................................................................................................. 14School Community Observation........................................................................................................ 15VI. Creating Solutions for the School Neighborhood .................................................................. 18Top SRTS Priority Recommendations .............................................................................................. 18Engineering ......................................................................................................................................... 18Enforcement ....................................................................................................................................... 18Education ............................................................................................................................................ 18Encouragement .................................................................................................................................. 19Evaluation ........................................................................................................................................... 19Incentives .............................................................................................................................................. 20VII. Program Evaluation and Monitoring ........................................................................................ 20VIII. Mapping Solutions for the School Neighborhood ................................................................. 23Map 2 – School Neighborhood Recommendations ................................................................................ 24IX. Action Plan Matrix ....................................................................................................................... 25X. APPENDICES ................................................................................................................................. 31Appendix A. Crosswalk © Neighborhood Analysis ............................................................................ 32Map 3 – Neighborhood Analysis ............................................................................................................. 42Map 4 – School Campus Area Analysis ................................................................................................... 44S:\Project\J458800 Montclair SRTS Workshops\Travel Plans\Nishuane Travel Plan\Nishuane Travel Plan 4-4-13.docx Page | 1

Montclair Safe Routes to School ProgramSafe Routes to School Travel Plan – Nishuane Elementary SchoolAppendix B. Surveys – Travel Mode & Attitudinal .................................................................... 45Classroom Travel Mode Survey for Students .................................................................................... 46Parent/Caregiver Attitudinal Survey .................................................................................................. 47Appendix C. Traffic Count Instructions and Form ............................................................................ 52Appendix D. Action Plan Matrix – Township-wide .......................................................................... 55Appendix E. Samples of SRTS Educational Materials ....................................................................... 62SRTS Curriculum ................................................................................................................................. 63SRTS Classroom Resources ................................................................................................................ 64Sample Door Tag Template ............................................................................................................... 65Sample Text for Door Tag .................................................................................................................. 66Windshield Warning ........................................................................................................................... 67Appendix F. SRTS General Resources................................................................................................. 68Student Pledge ................................................................................................................................... 69Parent Pledge ..................................................................................................................................... 70Community Pledge ............................................................................................................................. 71Bike Rack Considerations for Placement ........................................................................................... 72NJ SRTS Info Sheet ............................................................................................................................. 73NJ SRTS Recognition Program ........................................................................................................... 74Appendix G. Montclair-Specific Resources .................................................................................. 74Township of Montclair Draft Bike Network Map............................................................................... 76Bike&Walk Montclair Bicycle Education Program ............................................................................. 76S:\Project\J458800 Montclair SRTS Workshops\Travel Plans\Nishuane Travel Plan\Nishuane Travel Plan 4-4-13.docx Page | 2

Montclair Safe Routes to School ProgramSafe Routes to School Travel Plan – Nishuane Elementary SchoolINTRODUCTIONSafe Routes to School is a national and international movement to create safe, convenient,and fun opportunities for children to bicycle and walk to and from schools. The program hasbeen designed to reverse the decline in children walking and bicycling to schools and canalso play a critical role in reversing the alarming nationwide trend toward childhood obesityand inactivity.Montclair’s Safe Routes to School Program began in 2005 when the Rand School (nowRenaissance at Rand) was one of New Jersey Department of Transportation’s pilot SafeRoutes to School Demonstration Program schools. Since then, the Montclair Safe Routes toSchool Program has received over $700,000 in federal grants to improve infrastructure in allelementary and middle school neighborhoods, increase traffic safety enforcement, andencourage children and their families to get active on their way to and from school. ThisSchool Travel Plan is the result of that federal funding and identifies issues and solutionsthat are unique to the school’s culture and priorities.The purpose of the Nishuane Elementary School Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Travel Plan isto identify measures including both infrastructure projects and programmatic activitiesaimed at improving and/or encouraging walking and biking to school. These measures willserve as part of an implementable action plan which, when carried out by the schoolcommunity and its partners, will encourage more Nishuane students and parents to walk,bike or otherwise engage in active ways to getting to school. Traditionally, SRTS programslook at a 2 mile radius. Because Montclair is a Magnet School System, students 1 mile ormore from the school they attend are provided courtesy busing. This Travel Plan will focuson the area within a one mile radius of Nishuane School (Grades K – 2).Nishuane Elementary School is one of 10 schools in theTownship of Montclair’s Safe Routes to School (SRTS)Program. In 2008, the Township of Montclair, through itsSRTS Task Force, applied for and received fundingthrough NJDOT for the development of three (3) E’s of itsdistrict-wide Safe Routes to School program(Engineering, Encouragement and Enforcement). The goalof the Montclair SRTS Task Force’s goal was to expand onthe success of the Rand School SRTS Pilot and bring asustainable Safe Routes to School Program to all of theMontclairElementarySchools1. Bullock2. Bradford3. Edgemont4. Hillside5. Nishuane6. Northeast7. WatchungMontclairMiddleSchools1. Glenfield2. MountHebron3. Renaissanceat RandS:\Project\J458800 Montclair SRTS Workshops\Travel Plans\Nishuane Travel Plan\Nishuane Travel Plan 4-4-13.docx Page | 3

Montclair Safe Routes to School ProgramSafe Routes to School Travel Plan – Nishuane Elementary SchoolTownship’s elementary and middle schools.As part of this effort, the Township selected a consultant team lead by The RBA Group andassisted by Arterial and Meadowlink TMA (project team) to conduct SRTS workshops anddevelop travel plans. The travel plans stemming from the workshops compliment the workalready undertaken by the Montclair SRTS Task Force, and reflect the Township’s desire tocreate safer, healthier, active and sustainable school environments town-wide.In developing the Nishuane Travel Plan, the project team confirmed preliminary walking andbicycling routes and analyzed the basic elements required for safe walking and bicyclingroutes. Information was gathered from local stakeholders – staff, parents, as well ascommunity members such as the Township Engineer, local police, health and bicycleadvocates, board of education transportation representatives, and local crossing guardsthrough interviews, travel surveys and the community workshops. In these workshops,stakeholders worked with the project team to identify existing barriers that limit walking andbiking and opportunities that could prompt an increase in walking and biking to the school.The results of this collaboration is a list of potential projects and/or activities (action items)intended to make walking and biking to Nishuane a safer and more appealing option thantaking the car.The Nishuane Elementary School Travel Plan actively promotes the five E’s of a successfulSRTS program – engineering, education, enforcement, encouragement, and evaluation.These categories provide the framework for the action items identified in the plan. At theconclusion of the project, the goal is to have the school community take an active role inimproving their SRTS program goals for getting students to and from school safely usingactive modes of travel. This Travel Plan should be adopted by the school and updated on anannual basis to reflect changes in priorities, leadership and conditions.S:\Project\J458800 Montclair SRTS Workshops\Travel Plans\Nishuane Travel Plan\Nishuane Travel Plan 4-4-13.docx Page | 4

Montclair Safe Routes to School ProgramSafe Routes to School Travel Plan – Nishuane Elementary SchoolMONTCLAIR SRTS TEAM AND PARTNERSHIPSA key element in the planningprocess was for the project team tofoster partnerships within the schoolcommunity.The first goal was toestablish a SRTS Team leader ateach school. The project teamworked with the SRTS Team Leaderto gain a better understanding ofthe challenges families face ingetting their students to and fromschool safely. In working withclosely with the SRTS Team Leader,the project team was able to set thestage for the Team Leader to moveforward on his own and maintain ownership of the SRTS program. Each SRTS Task Leaderwas given several tasks:Prepare an introductory letter/email to inform parents of the SRTS program and theneed to fill out the parent/caregiver survey.Disseminate survey.Identify for the consulting team the major routes to the school, and any importantissues related to arrival and dismissal.Coordinate workshop locations, times, distribute flyers and provide snacks the day ofthe workshop.Collect data from the school via the Stakeholder Interview Sheet.Invite stakeholders to the workshop meeting.Discuss and brainstorm with the project team any incentives to use for encouragementthroughout the year.Attend the workshops as a participant/parent and share thoughts and concerns.Attend the classroom presentations conducted with students by the project team, ifpossible.Having established the SRTS Team Leader, the project team needed to assemble activecommunity groups and organizers whose missions and abilities complement the goals ofS:\Project\J458800 Montclair SRTS Workshops\Travel Plans\Nishuane Travel Plan\Nishuane Travel Plan 4-4-13.docx Page | 5

Montclair Safe Routes to School ProgramSafe Routes to School Travel Plan – Nishuane Elementary Schoolthe Montclair SRTS Program in the hopes that they will be able to support and sustain theSRTS program over time. These local stakeholders were continuously invited to be a part ofthe development of each of the schools’ travel plans. The Nishuane School SRTS PartnerOrganizations List includes:Nishuane SRTS Partner OrganizationsOrganization Contact Role/ResponsibilityNishuane SchoolNishuane SchoolNishuane SchoolMontclair TownshipMontclair SRTS TaskForceMontclair TownshipMontclair PoliceDepartmentMontclair Dept. ofCommunity Services(Public Works &Parks)Montclair Board ofEducationGail Clarke, PrincipalP: (973) 509-4222E: gclarke@montclair.k12.nj.usEileen Lundberg, SRTS Team LeaderE: lundbergnj@verizon.netJennifer Bell, SRTS Team LeaderE: jenny@varnelis.netCorinne Smithen, PTA PresidentE: ptapres@nishuanepta.orgAlex Kent, Safe Routes to SchoolCoordinatorP: (917) 841-1516E: akent@montclairnjusa.orgJanice Talley, Township Planner, SRTSTask Force CoordinatorP: (973) 509-4953Kimberli Craft, Township EngineerP: (973) 509-5707E: kcraft@montclairnjusa.orgSergeant Stephanie Egnezzo, TrafficBureauP: (973) 509-4718E: segnezzo@montclairnjusa.orgProgrammatic Activity andImplementationProgrammatic Activity andImplementationProgrammatic Activity andImplementationProgrammatic Activity andImplementationTownship SRTS CoordinationEngineering Project ImplementationSafety Education, Enforcement, andCrossing Guard AssignmentP: (973) 509-5711 Streets, public property and parks,snow and leaf removal, allcommunity infrastructure, potholerepair, BOE Special Projects BOE SRTS CoordinationS:\Project\J458800 Montclair SRTS Workshops\Travel Plans\Nishuane Travel Plan\Nishuane Travel Plan 4-4-13.docx Page | 6

Montclair Safe Routes to School ProgramSafe Routes to School Travel Plan – Nishuane Elementary SchoolOrganization Contact Role/ResponsibilityMontclair Board ofEducation –TransportationOfficeMeadowlinkTransportationManagementAssociationMeadowlinkTransportationManagementAssociationVoorheesTransportationCenter/NJ SRTSResource CenterSafe Routes toSchool NationalPartnershipBike&WalkMontclairNJ Department ofTransportation -SRTSEssex CountyPlanningDepartmentEssex County Boardof ChosenFreeholdersGisela Aultmon, Transportation ManagerP: (973) 509-4055E: gaultmon@montclair.k12.nj.usNora L. Shepard , SRTS ProgramManagerP: (201) 939-4242E: nshepard@ezride.orgRyan Cerbone, Associate, Safe Routes toSchool ProgramP: (201) 939-4242E: rcerbone@ezride.orgLeigh Ann Von Hagen, ResearchSpecialistP: (848) 932-7901E: srts@ejb.rutgers.eduLaura Torchio, NJ Advocacy OrganizerP: (973) 783-5939E: laura@saferoutespartnership.orgRika Alper, PresidentP: (973) 866-5028E: info@bikewalkmontclair.orgElise Bremer-Nei, NJDOT SRTS ProgramCoordinatorP: (609) 530-2765E: elise.bremer-nei@dot.state.nj.usDavid Antonio, County PlannerP: (973) 226-8500E: dantonio@essexcountynj.orgBrendan W. Gill, Freeholder, District 5P: (973) 621-4479E: bgill@freeholders.essexcountynj.orgSchool Bus CoordinationTravel Plan Implementation,Programmatic Activity, SRTSProgram Assistance/Resource, GrantWriting AssistanceTravel Plan Implementation,Programmatic Activity, SRTSProgram Assistance/Resource, GrantWriting AssistanceWeb-based resources, TechnicalAssistance, SRTS RecognitionProgram, Helpdesk assistance, andSRTS Tools, Tips and TrainingAdvocacy, Event andEncouragement Activities, PolicyChange, Best Practices & TechnicalAssistance, PublicationsAdvocacy, Event, Education andEncouragement ActivitiesState SRTS Program Assistance;Non-Infrastructure Grant FundingSRTS Program AssistanceCounty SRTS CoordinationS:\Project\J458800 Montclair SRTS Workshops\Travel Plans\Nishuane Travel Plan\Nishuane Travel Plan 4-4-13.docx Page | 7

Montclair Safe Routes to School ProgramSafe Routes to School Travel Plan – Nishuane Elementary SchoolSCHOOL PROFILESchool DescriptionThe Nishuane Elementary School is locatedat 32 Cedar Avenue in the South Endneighborhood. This section of Montclair isprimarily residential but has a commercialdistrict, known as the South End BusinessDistrict, located on and around the southernportion of Orange Road. The school isbordered by Orange Road to the east, HighStreet to the west and north, Cedar Avenueto the south. The school is also adjacent toNishuane Park, a 17.66-acre municipallyoperatedpark.Nishuane Elementary is part of the MontclairPublic School District and has a schoolpopulation of approximately 475 students ingrades K-2. In Montclair’s magnet schoolsystem, all schools have a theme. Nishuane’stheme is “Gifted and Talented.”Students walking to school entrance along HighStreetThe primary entrance for students walking or bused is located along High Street. Map 1 –School Location identifies key features of the school neighborhood such as the location ofcrossing guards, primary and secondary walking routes and crosswalks.S:\Project\J458800 Montclair SRTS Workshops\Travel Plans\Nishuane Travel Plan\Nishuane Travel Plan 4-4-13.docx Page | 8

Montclair Safe Routes to School ProgramSafe Routes to School Travel Plan – Nishuane Elementary SchoolMap 1 – School Location MapS:\Project\J458800 Montclair SRTS Workshops\Travel Plans\Nishuane Travel Plan\Nishuane Travel Plan 4-4-13.docx Page | 9

Montclair Safe Routes to School ProgramSafe Routes to School Travel Plan – Nishuane Elementary SchoolSchool Demographic Information‣ Student DemographicsEthnicity Nishuane State AverageBlack or African American 42% 17%White 41% 54%Hispanic or Latino 9% 20%Asian 8% 8%Source: www.greatschools.net; NCES, 2008-2009‣ Economic DiversityFree and reduced-price lunchThese statistics show the percentage of students eligible for the federal free and reducedpricelunch program as reported by National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Thispercentage is one indication of the student economic level (or family income level) at aschool.Free or reduced-price lunchprogramStudents eligible for free or reducedpricelunch programSource: www.greatschools.net; NCES, 2008-2009Nishuane‣ Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)24% 30%State AverageThese statistics show the percentage of students with Individualized Education Programs(IEPs) as reported by the state. IEPs are specialized educational programs created forstudents with disabilities. When planning for activities related to SRTS, we want to makesure to think about all members of the student population, including students with IEPs.Students with DisabilitiesPercentage of students with IEPs (Individualized EducationProgram) regardless of placement/programsSource: NJDOE 2010-2011 Report CardNishuane12.8%‣ Language DiversityLimited English Proficient (LEP)Percentage of Limited English Proficient studentsSource: NJDOE 2010-2011 Report CardNishuaneNot reportedLanguage Spoken At HomeNishuaneEnglish 100%Source: NJDOE 2010-2011 Report CardS:\Project\J458800 Montclair SRTS Workshops\Travel Plans\Nishuane Travel Plan\Nishuane Travel Plan 4-4-13.docx Page | 10

Montclair Safe Routes to School ProgramSafe Routes to School Travel Plan – Nishuane Elementary SchoolCURRENT SCHOOL TRAVEL ENVIRONMENTStudent Travel ModeBecause Montclair is a magnet school system, courtesybusing is provided to students who live farther than one milefrom the school.According to the school administration, out of the 475students that attend Nishuane, 350 ride the school bus, 100are driven to school by an adult, 20 walk to school and 5 ridetheir bike to school.There are approximately eleven (11) buses and two (2) vansfor special needs students that provide service to theNishuane School. Students are permitted to ride their bike toschool and the school has participated in a number ofWalk/Bike to School Days to promote walking and biking asa means for getting to school.Drop-Off/Pick-Up ProceduresThe car line is staffed by teachers and assistants beginning at9:00am along Cedar Avenue. Parents/guardians using the carline are not permitted to exit their car. The car line is notstaffed when it is raining but parents/guardians may still pullup to drop-off their child.Bus drop-off and pick-up occurs on High Street, which isclosed to traffic between 8:30 and 9:25am and between 3:10and 3:45pm.For dismissal, Kindergarten students are brought outsidethrough the main entrance by their classroom teacher. Firstand second grade students are dismissed by their classroomteachers through the door located on the playground side ofthe building.Transportation to andfrom school is availablefor students in theMontclair Public Schoolssystem who meet theeligibility requirementsthat are based on thedistance from the child'sresidence to the schoolhe/she is attending.According to Boardpolicy, transportationwill be provided for thefollowing students:1. All elementarystudents who residemore than 1 milefrom their assignedschool.2. All middle schoolstudents who residemore than 1 milefrom their assignedschool.Source: Montclair Board ofEducation website,http://www.montclair.k12.nj.us/WebPage.aspx?Id=23Children who are eligible for the bus are dismissed to their assigned bus at 3:35pm.S:\Project\J458800 Montclair SRTS Workshops\Travel Plans\Nishuane Travel Plan\Nishuane Travel Plan 4-4-13.docx Page | 11

Montclair Safe Routes to School ProgramSafe Routes to School Travel Plan – Nishuane Elementary SchoolExcerpt from Nishuane Family Handbook 2012-2013School HoursThe official hours of instruction at the school are 9:10am-3:35pm. The late bell rings at9:20am. On early dismissal days, students are dismissed at 2:10pm. Before-school care forstudents of working parents is available at the school beginning at 7:30am and afterschoolcare is available at the school from 3:345 to 6:30pm. Parents participating in the programare responsible for transportation to and from the school. When bringing or picking uptheir child, parents are required to park on High Street and enter through Door #4Crossing GuardsThere is currently one crossing guard located at the intersection of Cedar Avenue and HighStreet. This crossing guard manages all four legs of this intersection.S:\Project\J458800 Montclair SRTS Workshops\Travel Plans\Nishuane Travel Plan\Nishuane Travel Plan 4-4-13.docx Page | 12

Montclair Safe Routes to School ProgramSafe Routes to School Travel Plan – Nishuane Elementary SchoolEVALUATING OPPORTUNITIES AND CONSTRAINTSThe information gathering process for the Nishuane Elementary School followed a series ofsteps conducted by the project team including stakeholder interviews, data collection,workshop previews, student classroom activity and a SRTS workshop. Together, these stepsallowed the project team to develop an Action Plan listing recommendations to beimplemented in the school neighborhood to improve conditions for students on their wayto and from school.Stakeholder InterviewsIn the spring of the year prior to the workshops, Montclair’s SRTS Coordinator Alex Kent metwith the PTAs and the Principals of all the Montclair schools, and talked to them about thebarriers they have to walking or biking to school, safety or otherwise. In the NishuaneElementary School, some areas of concern (“hot spots”) within the school neighborhoodwere identified. Their verbatim thoughts are included below:PTA/Parent Wish List Need either a crossing guard (or other enforcement), traffic light or better signage atthe Llewelyn/Harrison crosswalk/flashing light. No one stops for pedestrians here.Find website tool which allows people to share walking/biking group infoUse District Transportation office to connect families going to same school, living insame neighborhood.For busers, designate an area closer to school where kids could meet to walk the lastdistance.Parents’ Thoughts Parents park opposite entrances on High Street and Cedar Avenue and let kids crossmid-block where there is no crosswalk.The sidewalks along Llewelyn Road are in poor condition.S:\Project\J458800 Montclair SRTS Workshops\Travel Plans\Nishuane Travel Plan\Nishuane Travel Plan 4-4-13.docx Page | 13

Montclair Safe Routes to School ProgramSafe Routes to School Travel Plan – Nishuane Elementary SchoolNeighborhood MappingTeam ObservationPrior to the community workshop, the project team performed a field investigation toobserve the conditions around the Nishuane Elementary School. Observations were made ofthe physical conditions all around the school campus and surrounding neighborhood;parking patterns and restrictions; auto and foot traffic and circulation using the Crosswalk ©data collection and assessment system.Summaries and results of these collection efforts and field investigations are summarized inAppendix A. This summation includes detailed maps annotated with comments about theschool commute dynamics and conditions for walking or bicycling to and from school.Photos of each major issue are included and keyed to the maps by number.S:\Project\J458800 Montclair SRTS Workshops\Travel Plans\Nishuane Travel Plan\Nishuane Travel Plan 4-4-13.docx Page | 14

Montclair Safe Routes to School ProgramSafe Routes to School Travel Plan – Nishuane Elementary SchoolSchool Community ObservationSTUDENT CLASSROOM ACTIVITYMembers of the project team met with a classroom of second grade students at Nishuaneto discuss obstacles to walking and bicycling in their school neighborhood.Studentsparticipated in a classroom activity in the form of a focus group to help the project teamidentify issues and general concerns of safety around the school neighborhood. As part ofthe exercise, students were asked to identify issues verbally and in written form. Here arenotes from the students’ activity:23 studentso 2 walkers/bikers,o 5 get dropped-off by parentso 16 take the busIssues voiced by studentsDrivers going fast near bus stopsDrivers going fast near schoolNot always a crossing guard at Cedar Ave. and Harrison St.o Maybe the crossing guard can stay a bit later before and after schoolParents drop students off on the other side of Cedar Ave and then cross the street.Students and parents aren’t crossing the street at the designated crosswalks.S:\Project\J458800 Montclair SRTS Workshops\Travel Plans\Nishuane Travel Plan\Nishuane Travel Plan 4-4-13.docx Page | 15

Montclair Safe Routes to School ProgramSafe Routes to School Travel Plan – Nishuane Elementary SchoolCommunity WorkshopObservation of Student ArrivalThe project team met at the NishuaneElementary School at 8:50 am onWednesday, February 6 th , 2013 toobserve arrival of Nishuane’s studentswith parents and stakeholders. Thepurpose of this exercise was to allowworkshop attendees the opportunityto have a first-hand observation of theexisting and potentially hazardousbehaviors within the schoolneighborhood.Community WorkshopThe workshop began directly after theobservation of student arrival.Members of the Nishuane schoolcommunity and local communityattended the workshop to discuss SafeRoutes to School program atNishuane. The project team’s goal forthis working meeting was to presentsufficient information on Safe Routesto School programs to the communityas well as supplying audiencemembers with anecdotal informationfrom their earlier discussion with students and their own observations of the schools’ arrival.Workshop participants identified barriers, areas of concerns and opportunities in theenvironment around Nishuane in their discussion and through the mapping exercisefacilitated by the project team.S:\Project\J458800 Montclair SRTS Workshops\Travel Plans\Nishuane Travel Plan\Nishuane Travel Plan 4-4-13.docx Page | 16

Montclair Safe Routes to School ProgramSafe Routes to School Travel Plan – Nishuane Elementary SchoolVision Warning sign for curb Defined drop-off area Eliminate “pandemonium” Walking School Bus Walking Club Paths to school Drop-off ONLY sign Restricted parking along Cedar Avenue Keep kids in car seat Remote parkingCrossing Guard assisting family to NishuaneS:\Project\J458800 Montclair SRTS Workshops\Travel Plans\Nishuane Travel Plan\Nishuane Travel Plan 4-4-13.docx Page | 17

Montclair Safe Routes to School ProgramSafe Routes to School Travel Plan – Nishuane Elementary SchoolCREATING SOLUTIONS FOR THE SCHOOLNEIGHBORHOODBased on the experience and observations at Nishuane Elementary School, the project teamoffers the following suggestions for priority actions related to building the Nishuane SRTSprogram.Top SRTS Priority RecommendationsA full listing of the recommendations are provided as options for the Nishuane ElementarySchool to consider while implementing its SRTS plan and are included in the Action PlanMatrix, later in this Travel Plan. The top priority concepts for each of the 5 E’s (Engineering,Education, Encouragement, Enforcement and Evaluation) are also listed here:Engineering Change parking restrictions on the southside of Cedar Avenue to “No Stopping,EnforcementStanding or Parking” during school days (8am-4pm)Create and sign “Park and Walk” locations at the South End Municipal Parking Lotand the Nishuane Park Parking LotUse paint and signs to better define drop-off areas. Create a school pavement “quilt”to define the drop-off zone on the school-side of Cedar AvenueReinforce “No Parking” areas during school commute timesReinforce “No U-Turns or K-turns” along Cedar Avenue or High Street on school daysPlace a variable message sign promoting safety messages around the school zoneEducation Update and reinforce current Parent Handbook’s drop-off/pick-up procedures with:Map, rules and procedures for driving along local streets within school campus andany school driveway accessShare the updated handbook/map of drop-off/pick-up procedures with the schoolcommunity via the school and PTA websitesAdd biking/walking education and activities to the Nishuane Explorers AfterschoolEnrichment ProgramInvite Meadowlink TMA and Bike&Walk Montclair to help with bicycle andpedestrian education at assemblies or weekend Bike RodeosS:\Project\J458800 Montclair SRTS Workshops\Travel Plans\Nishuane Travel Plan\Nishuane Travel Plan 4-4-13.docx Page | 18

Montclair Safe Routes to School ProgramSafe Routes to School Travel Plan – Nishuane Elementary SchoolNJ TRANSIT offers a no-cost, 45-minute statewide safety education program to public, non-public and charter schools,Grades PreK-12, highlight the need for safe behavior and caution around rail systemsand buses. According to NJ TRANSIT, the presentation includes an age-appropriatevideo, safety tips and procedures, question and answer session, and free educationalmaterials that reinforce important safety messages. For more information or toschedule presentations, go to the Safety Education Program site at:(http://www.njtransit.com/rg/rg_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=SafetyTo)Encouragement Continue with the SRTS ProgramCirculate Travel Plan on school and PTA websites, especially the School Location Mapof Major Walking Routes with Time RadiusEvaluation Continue to conduct student travel surveys to measure how effective the SRTSprogram has been in increasing the number of students walking, biking, carpoolingor taking transit to schoolPerform speed studies before and after the initiation of any physical orprogrammatic measures, especially along Harrison Avenue and Orange RoadS:\Project\J458800 Montclair SRTS Workshops\Travel Plans\Nishuane Travel Plan\Nishuane Travel Plan 4-4-13.docx Page | 19

Montclair Safe Routes to School ProgramSafe Routes to School Travel Plan – Nishuane Elementary SchoolIncentivesTo encourage families to arrive by foot, bike or any other form of active transportation, aNishuane SRTS Team Leader should be identified. This Team Leader would work with theSRTS team at Meadowlink (the Transportation Management Agency covering all ofMontclair and the surrounding area), to develop a plan to best leverage the incentive itemsand other SRTS efforts.Meadowlink will be providing bicycle and pedestrian safety themed incentives, such asstickers, to Nishuane and all of the other Montclair Schools participating in the SRTSprogram. Going forward, Meadowlink will offer assistance in the implementation of furtherSRTS initiatives such as, a walking school bus or bike rodeo, and incentives for these eventswill be provided as necessary.PROGRAM EVALUATION AND MONITORINGIn order to continue the momentum and keep up with the growing needs of a changingschool population, Nishuane should use various data collection methods to evaluate theeffectiveness of its SRTS Program over time. Some of those preliminary actions should be:Conduct Student Travel Mode (Hands-Up) SurveysNishuane should measure the number of children walking and bicycling to school byconducting Student Travel Mode (Hands-Up) Surveys at least twice a year. The resultswill be evaluated yearly to show if there has been a shift in the number of childrenwalking and bicycling to school.For these surveys, Nishuane can work with their SRTS Team Leader and MeadowlinkTMA to coordinate this effort with Voorhees Transportation Center at Rutgers Universityto tabulate survey data. A copy of the Student Travel Mode Survey can be found inAppendix B.Continue to conduct Parent SurveysNishuane should continue to distribute parent/caregiver take-home/online attitudinalsurveys to evaluate parents’ attitudes towards walking and bicycling to school over time.The 2012 New Jersey Safe Routes to School Parent/Caregiver Survey is included inAppendix B. Using survey information on the number of children that currently walk andbike to Nishuane as a baseline measure, these yearly surveys should be conducted todetermine if there has been a shift in attitudes and/or actions since the implementationof actions related to the SRTS program. Nishuane’s SRTS Team Leader and MeadowlinkS:\Project\J458800 Montclair SRTS Workshops\Travel Plans\Nishuane Travel Plan\Nishuane Travel Plan 4-4-13.docx Page | 20

Montclair Safe Routes to School ProgramSafe Routes to School Travel Plan – Nishuane Elementary SchoolTMA can work together to ensure that the surveys are distributed, collected and thentabulated by Voorhees Transportation Center at Rutgers University.Conduct School Traffic CountsSchool traffic counts can be a good way to collectbaseline data on parent/student behavior duringarrival. Unlike typical traffic counts that use automatedtraffic counting equipment, these visual counts involveusing students to manually record how students arebeing dropped off to school. Nishuane should institutea school traffic counts initiative to do these countseither as a single classroom activity or can use it as aschool-wide motivator to get parents and students towalk and bike more often. These counts should bedone at the beginning and the end of the school yearto see if any of the SRTS activities have had an impact inreducing the number of cars dropping off students. It isimportant that the counts are done the same way each time to ensure that results canaccurately compared.The SRTS Team Leader should invite a representative from the Montclair PoliceDepartment, the Township Planner, or the Township Engineer to help kick-off theschool’s traffic count initiative. The counts should be coupled with encouragementactivities such as:Children of the Ganllwyd School in Englandcounting passing vehicles as part of theirJunior Road Safety Officers Program.Source: http://www.jrsocymru.org.uk/en/1100.htmMaking a school-wide pledge to walk and bike more oftenSetting a school-wide goal and holding a celebration if the goal is met.Having class discussions on how to reduce the impacts of traffic by usingalternative modes of transportation such as biking and walking.A sample of a traffic count form can be found in Appendix C.Before carrying out any of these activities, the Nishuane SRTS Team should considercreating a mechanism for evaluation. As noted in the Complete Safe Routes to School Guide 1there is a six-step process that works best for evaluating SRTS programs and isdemonstrated in the following graphic:1 This guide is maintained by the National Center for Safe Routes to School at www.saferoutesinfo.org .S:\Project\J458800 Montclair SRTS Workshops\Travel Plans\Nishuane Travel Plan\Nishuane Travel Plan 4-4-13.docx Page | 21

Montclair Safe Routes to School ProgramSafe Routes to School Travel Plan – Nishuane Elementary School1• Plan the program /Collect Information2• Write Objectives3• Decide what, how and when to measure4• Conduct the program and monitor progress5• Collect Information and interpret findings6• Use resultsCreating a plan at the onset of the program will be most beneficial in setting goals for yourprogram and determining strategies to will help you attain those goals.S:\Project\J458800 Montclair SRTS Workshops\Travel Plans\Nishuane Travel Plan\Nishuane Travel Plan 4-4-13.docx Page | 22

Montclair Safe Routes to School ProgramSafe Routes to School Travel Plan – Nishuane Elementary SchoolMAPPING SOLUTIONS FOR THE SCHOOLNEIGHBORHOODThe walking environment around Nishuane Elementary School is generally in goodcondition. With some minor changes, the walking routes to school can be very attractive tonearby families.Map 2 - School Neighborhood Recommendations (on the following page) illustrates thesuggested physical improvements that are aimed at improving the overall conditions forfamilies walking and biking to school. If implemented in conjunction with the otherstrategies outlined in the Action Plan Matrix (page 25), these physical improvements willoffer walking and/or biking as a safe and more convenient option to getting to school.S:\Project\J458800 Montclair SRTS Workshops\Travel Plans\Nishuane Travel Plan\Nishuane Travel Plan 4-4-13.docx Page | 23

Montclair Safe Routes to School ProgramSafe Routes to School Travel Plan – Nishuane Elementary SchoolMap 2 – School Neighborhood RecommendationsS:\Project\J458800 Montclair SRTS Workshops\Travel Plans\Nishuane Travel Plan\Nishuane Travel Plan 4-4-13.docx Page | 24

Montclair Safe Routes to School ProgramSafe Routes to School Travel Plan – Nishuane Elementary SchoolACTION PLAN MATRIXThe following Action Plan Matrix for implementing the Nishuane Elementary School SRTSprogram is intended to increase safety for students on their journey to and from school and,where appropriate encourage more students to walk or bike. The tables below areorganized by the logical lead entity and identify those preliminary recommendations,specific to the Nishuane School campus and the immediate area, partners, a time frame anda level of cost for implementing each recommended action.To give the Nishuane SRTS program more depth, it is recommended that these concepts bereinforced beyond the immediate school neighborhood. Nishuane’s SRTS program can bestrealize full success if its community and municipal partners implement the township-wideaction items that support Nishuane’s SRTS program. These township-widerecommendations have been identified in Appendix D and are organized by the 5 E format(Engineering, Education, Encouragement, Enforcement and Evaluation) for implementing theSRTS program.S:\Project\J458800 Montclair SRTS Workshops\Travel Plans\Nishuane Travel Plan\Nishuane Travel Plan 4-4-13.docx Page | 25

Montclair Safe Routes to School ProgramSafe Routes to School Travel Plan – Nishuane Elementary SchoolAction Plan Matrix – Nishuane School Neighborhood SpecificTimeframe DefinitionCost DefinitionShort-term = less than 3 months Low = Less than $2,000Mid-term = between 3 to 6 months Medium = between $2,000 and $10,000Long-term = longer than 6 months High = more than $10,000No. Action Partners Timeframe Cost NotesLead Entity: Principal1 Create a school pavement “quilt”to define the drop-off zone onthe school-side of Cedar AvenueMontclairEngineering/Board ofEducation/PTAMid-term Low Paint images onthe roadway, alsoinstall “Pull Up toHERE” banner/flag.2 Update the arrival and dismissalsection of the school’s FamilyHandbook with map and textthat defines drop-off/ pick-uptraffic circulation plan, includingrules and procedures for drivingalong local streets within schoolcampus and any school drivewayaccess3 School staff needs to beconsistent with car valetoperations – rainy and snowydays they are needed most.4 Reinforce the parking restrictionzone further along CedarAvenue - on the approach to theschool from Orange Road.Consider placing additionaltraffic cones.5 Designate a school staff to placethe “ONE WAY” sign on HighStreet at the Cedar AvenueintersectionPTA/ MontclairEngineeringShort-term Low Share theupdatedhandbook/mapvia school websitePTA Short-term Low Ask PTAvolunteers toassist duringinclementweatherMontclairMid-term LowEngineering/MontclairPolicePTA Short-term Low The CrossingGuard is notsupposed tomove traffic signs6 Continue the SRTS team/group PTA/ Meadowlink TMA Short-term LowS:\Project\J458800 Montclair SRTS Workshops\Travel Plans\Nishuane Travel Plan\Nishuane Travel Plan 4-4-13.docx Page | 26

Montclair Safe Routes to School ProgramSafe Routes to School Travel Plan – Nishuane Elementary SchoolNo. Action Partners Timeframe Cost Notes7 Integrate walking and safetyeducation into classroomcurriculum8 Invite NJ TRANSIT to give theirSAFETY RULES! PresentationAssembly every year9 Continue to conduct studenttravel surveys to measure howeffective the SRTS program hasbeen in increasing the numberof students walking, biking,carpooling or taking transit toschool10 Invite Montclair PoliceDepartment to give safetypresentation at Back to Schoolnight11 Invite Meadowlink TMA andBike&Walk Montclair to helpwith bicycle and pedestrianeducation at assemblies orweekend Bike Rodeos12 Circulate Time Radius Map andTravel Plan Report on schoolwebsite13 Utilize the school website toadvance Safe Routes to Schoolsafety campaign/messages14 Send out E-blasts to reinforcebus/dropoff/pickup proceduresMeadowlink TMA /Board ofEducation/PTA/SafetyCoordinationNJ TRANSIT/Meadowlink TMA/Board of EducationBoard of Education/Meadowlink TMAShort-term Low See Appendix Efor sample lessonplans.Meadowlink canprovide thistraining orprovide trainingto trainersShort-term/ongoingMid-termLowLowwww.njtransit.com/rg/rg_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=SafetyToMontclair Police Short-term Low Contact Sgt.EgnezzoMeadowlinkTMA/Bike&WalkMontclair/PTA/SRTSCoordinatorShort-term/ongoingLowBoard of Education Short-term LowBoard of EducationPTAShort-term/ongoingShort-term/ongoingLowLowS:\Project\J458800 Montclair SRTS Workshops\Travel Plans\Nishuane Travel Plan\Nishuane Travel Plan 4-4-13.docx Page | 27

Montclair Safe Routes to School ProgramSafe Routes to School Travel Plan – Nishuane Elementary SchoolLead Entity: PTA15 Create and sign “Park and Walk”locations at: South End parking lot(meters) Nishuane Park (unregulated)16 Organize volunteers to assistwith car valet during inclementweather17 Organize Walking Club andWalking School Buses18 Participate in International Walkto School Day in October andNational Bike to School Day inMay and NJ Walk and Bike toSchool Day in May19 Include Crossing GuardAppreciation Day with everybike/walk to school event20 Share the updated Familyhandbook/map via PTA web site21 Report any crossing guard issuesto Traffic Bureau(973-744-1234) –- Schedule- Procedure22 Circulate Time Radius Map andTravel Plan Report on PTAwebsite23 Promote Bike&Walk Montclair'sCourteous Driving Pledge24 Hold Bike Rodeo/ learn to Ridesession, possibly during“Mayfair”25 Add biking/ walking educationand activities to the NishuaneExplorers AfterschoolEnrichment ProgramPTA/School ActionTeam (SAT)/TownEngineer/DPWPrincipalShort-term Low Work with theTown Engineer toidentify adesignated routeto school fromthese locationsfor volunteersShort-term/ongoingLowConsider gettingincentives forvolunteersSAT/ Meadowlink TMA Short-term Low Meadowlink canhelp with settingup WSB’s.Principal/ Meadowlink/SRTS Coordinator/SRTSTeam LeaderPrincipal/ Meadowlink/SRTS Coordinator/SRTSTeam LeaderPrincipal/Board ofEducationBoard of Education/Montclair PoliceShort-term/ongoingShort-term/ongoingShort-termShort-termLowLowLowLowBoard of Education Short-term LowBike&Walk Montclair Short-term LowBike&Walk Montclair Short-term LowBike&Walk Montclair Short-term LowS:\Project\J458800 Montclair SRTS Workshops\Travel Plans\Nishuane Travel Plan\Nishuane Travel Plan 4-4-13.docx Page | 28

Montclair Safe Routes to School ProgramSafe Routes to School Travel Plan – Nishuane Elementary School26 Complete “Achievements” aspart of the SRTS RecognitionProgram to reach the Gold LevelMeadowlink TMA/SRTSCoordinatorShort-term/ongoingLowSee Appendix Ffor details onachievementsLead Entity: Township Engineering27 Stripe “STAND BACK” lines onthe curb ramps around theschool28 Install stop sign cameras at theintersection of Cedar Avenueand High Street29 Change parking restrictions onthe southside of Cedar Avenueto “No Stopping, Standing orParking” during school days(8am-4pm)30 Evaluate school campus bus anddrop-off/ pick-up trafficcirculation patterns – should theback parking lot be used31 Extend the parking restrictionzone further along CedarAvenue - on the approach to theschool from Orange Road.Possibly 7:00 am – 9:30 amSchool Days.32 Install raised crosswalk acrossCedar Avenue at the intersectionwith Pleasant Avenue33 Conduct speed studies alongHarrison Avenue and OrangeRoadMontclair DPW Short-term LowMontclair PoliceDepartment/ MontclairTown CouncilMontclair PoliceDepartment/ MontclairTown CouncilPrincipal/PTA/Montclair PolicePrincipal/MontclairPoliceMontclair DPW/ PTA/PrincipalMontclair PoliceDepartmentMid-LongtermMid-termHighLowCurrently beingpiloted by DDOTin WashingtonD.C.Mid-term Low Other schoolshave consideredsimilar changes,then changedbackMid-term Low This will supportthe traffic flowand intendedoperations duringschool arriva.lConsiderextending yellowpainted curband/or placingadditional trafficcones.Mid-term Medium Define a safe anddirect walkingroute from theOrange Roadparking lot areaMid-term LowS:\Project\J458800 Montclair SRTS Workshops\Travel Plans\Nishuane Travel Plan\Nishuane Travel Plan 4-4-13.docx Page | 29

Montclair Safe Routes to School ProgramSafe Routes to School Travel Plan – Nishuane Elementary School34 Create an ordinance restrictingU-Turns or K-turns along CedarAvenue or High Street adjacentto the school drop-off/ pick-upareas35 Install signs restricting U-Turnsand K-Turns on school propertyor within the school zone36 Evaluate the sidewalk networkfor potential curb extensions orother traffic calming conceptsMontclair Town Council Short-term LowMontclair DPW Short-term LowPTA/Board ofEducation/MeadowlinkTMALead Entity: Montclair Police Department37 Reinforce “No Parking” areasduring school commute times.Principal/MontclairEngineering38 Reinforce “No U-Turns or K-turns” along Cedar Avenue orHigh Street on school days(8am-4pm)39 Place a variable message signpromoting safety messagesaround the school zonePrincipal/MontclairEngineeringMontclairEngineering/PrincipalShort-MidtermLow-MediumConsider stripedcurb extensions/daylighting theintersection ofCedar Avenue atHigh StreetShort-term Low Along south sideof Cedar Avenueacross from theschoolShort-term LowShort-term Low “NO PARKING”message to beposted on CedarAvenue oppositethe schoolS:\Project\J458800 Montclair SRTS Workshops\Travel Plans\Nishuane Travel Plan\Nishuane Travel Plan 4-4-13.docx Page | 30

Montclair Safe Routes to School ProgramSafe Routes to School Travel Plan – Nishuane Elementary SchoolAPPENDICESS:\Project\J458800 Montclair SRTS Workshops\Travel Plans\Nishuane Travel Plan\Nishuane Travel Plan 4-4-13.docx Page | 31

Montclair Safe Routes to School ProgramSafe Routes to School Travel Plan – Nishuane Elementary SchoolAppendix A. Crosswalk © Neighborhood AnalysisThe following maps and notes are a record of the issues identified both during initialfield observations and during the workshops as noted by participants:Assessment Categories:School Location/ Crossing Guard LocationIdeas/ Primary Destination/ Secondary DestinationPedestrian Issues – Good/ Minor/ MajorBicycling Issues - Good/ Minor/ MajorDriver Behavior – Good/ Poor/ BadIntersection Issues - Good/ Poor/ BadEnvironmental Issues - - Good/ Poor/ BadS:\Project\J458800 Montclair SRTS Workshops\Travel Plans\Nishuane Travel Plan\Nishuane Travel Plan 4-4-13.docx Page | 32

Montclair Safe Routes to School ProgramSafe Routes to School Travel Plan – Nishuane Elementary SchoolPrimary Destinations1. Bus Access Point. This is the access point used by students arriving by bus. It is alsoused by students a limited amount of students that are dropped off by car early in themorning for services provided before school.2. Drop-off Entry. This is the entrance that students us that get dropped off by car.3. Bus Drop-off. Buses line up and drop off students along this curb.4. Car Drop-off. Cars drop-off along this curb in the morning. There are usually 2-4teacher's assistants opening doors and helping students out of cars.S:\Project\J458800 Montclair SRTS Workshops\Travel Plans\Nishuane Travel Plan\Nishuane Travel Plan 4-4-13.docx Page | 33

Montclair Safe Routes to School ProgramSafe Routes to School Travel Plan – Nishuane Elementary SchoolSecondary Destination1. Nishuane Park.2. Playground. An organized group of students meet at this playground before school.3. Make shift drop-off location. Some cars park here and walk up to school.S:\Project\J458800 Montclair SRTS Workshops\Travel Plans\Nishuane Travel Plan\Nishuane Travel Plan 4-4-13.docx Page | 34

Montclair Safe Routes to School ProgramSafe Routes to School Travel Plan – Nishuane Elementary SchoolDriver Behavior - Bad1. K-turns. Drivers get frustrated by waiting on line and do a variety of things including k-turns,dropping of on the opposite side of the street etc.2. Speeding through traffic. Cars speed through this area during drop-off.3. Speeding/Heavy Traffic. Heavy traffic travels up this road and then turns onto CedarAvenue.4. Queuing of Through Traffic. Difficult to get out of the drop off line due to through trafficthat is backed up.S:\Project\J458800 Montclair SRTS Workshops\Travel Plans\Nishuane Travel Plan\Nishuane Travel Plan 4-4-13.docx Page | 35

Montclair Safe Routes to School ProgramSafe Routes to School Travel Plan – Nishuane Elementary SchoolBike Issue - Major1. Bicycle Racks. Bike racks are inaccessible and hidden.2. Fast Traffic. Traffic moves too fast on this road for young riders (K-2).S:\Project\J458800 Montclair SRTS Workshops\Travel Plans\Nishuane Travel Plan\Nishuane Travel Plan 4-4-13.docx Page | 36

Montclair Safe Routes to School ProgramSafe Routes to School Travel Plan – Nishuane Elementary SchoolEnvironment - Bad1. Parking lot condition. The parking lot appears to be unmaintained and in disrepair.This includes the paving material, signs and fences.S:\Project\J458800 Montclair SRTS Workshops\Travel Plans\Nishuane Travel Plan\Nishuane Travel Plan 4-4-13.docx Page | 37

Montclair Safe Routes to School ProgramSafe Routes to School Travel Plan – Nishuane Elementary SchoolIntersection – Good1. Good Intersection. Prominent, visible ladder crosswalks and curb ramps.2. Bus Only Access. Cars are prohibited from entering this direction during drop-offhours. This is "bus only" access. The sign is put in place every morning by the crossingguard.S:\Project\J458800 Montclair SRTS Workshops\Travel Plans\Nishuane Travel Plan\Nishuane Travel Plan 4-4-13.docx Page | 38

Montclair Safe Routes to School ProgramSafe Routes to School Travel Plan – Nishuane Elementary SchoolIntersection - Poor1. Curb Ramps. Pedestrian crossing is lacking curb ramps.S:\Project\J458800 Montclair SRTS Workshops\Travel Plans\Nishuane Travel Plan\Nishuane Travel Plan 4-4-13.docx Page | 39

Montclair Safe Routes to School ProgramSafe Routes to School Travel Plan – Nishuane Elementary SchoolPedestrian Issue - Major1. Pedestrian Access. Pedestrian access from parking lot is obstructed and in poorcondition.2. Mid Block Crossing. Students jump out between cars to get picked up on oppositeside of street.S:\Project\J458800 Montclair SRTS Workshops\Travel Plans\Nishuane Travel Plan\Nishuane Travel Plan 4-4-13.docx Page | 40

Montclair Safe Routes to School ProgramSafe Routes to School Travel Plan – Nishuane Elementary SchoolPedestrian Issue – Minor1. Narrow Sidewalk. 4' sidewalk is too narrow for families and small groups walking together.2. Narrow Sidewalk. 4' sidewalk is too narrow for families and small groups walking together.S:\Project\J458800 Montclair SRTS Workshops\Travel Plans\Nishuane Travel Plan\Nishuane Travel Plan 4-4-13.docx Page | 41

Montclair Safe Routes to School ProgramSafe Routes to School Travel Plan – Nishuane Elementary SchoolMap 3 – Neighborhood AnalysisS:\Project\J458800 Montclair SRTS Workshops\Travel Plans\Nishuane Travel Plan\Nishuane Travel Plan 4-4-13.docx Page | 42

Montclair Safe Routes to School ProgramSafe Routes to School Travel Plan – Nishuane Elementary SchoolS:\Project\J458800 Montclair SRTS Workshops\Travel Plans\Nishuane Travel Plan\Nishuane Travel Plan 4-4-13.docx Page | 43

Montclair Safe Routes to School ProgramSafe Routes to School Travel Plan – Nishuane Elementary SchoolMap 4 – School Campus Area AnalysisS:\Project\J458800 Montclair SRTS Workshops\Travel Plans\Nishuane Travel Plan\Nishuane Travel Plan 4-4-13.docx Page | 44

Montclair Safe Routes to School ProgramSafe Routes to School Travel Plan – Nishuane Elementary SchoolAppendix B. Surveys – Travel Mode & AttitudinalS:\Project\J458800 Montclair SRTS Workshops\Travel Plans\Nishuane Travel Plan\Nishuane Travel Plan 4-4-13.docx Page | 45

Montclair Safe Routes to School ProgramSafe Routes to School Travel Plan – Nishuane Elementary SchoolClassroom Travel Mode Survey for StudentsSource: http://saferoutesnj.org/documents/SRTS_Tally_Sheet-1.pdfS:\Project\J458800 Montclair SRTS Workshops\Travel Plans\Nishuane Travel Plan\Nishuane Travel Plan 4-4-13.docx Page | 46

Montclair Safe Routes to School ProgramSafe Routes to School Travel Plan – Nishuane Elementary SchoolParent/Caregiver Attitudinal SurveyThe online version of the survey can be found here:https://rutgersbcsr.us2.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_8uZQeguvLZ7cjRPS:\Project\J458800 Montclair SRTS Workshops\Travel Plans\Nishuane Travel Plan\Nishuane Travel Plan 4-4-13.docx Page | 47

Montclair Safe Routes to School ProgramSafe Routes to School Travel Plan – Nishuane Elementary SchoolS:\Project\J458800 Montclair SRTS Workshops\Travel Plans\Nishuane Travel Plan\Nishuane Travel Plan 4-4-13.docx Page | 48

Montclair Safe Routes to School ProgramSafe Routes to School Travel Plan – Nishuane Elementary SchoolS:\Project\J458800 Montclair SRTS Workshops\Travel Plans\Nishuane Travel Plan\Nishuane Travel Plan 4-4-13.docx Page | 49

Montclair Safe Routes to School ProgramSafe Routes to School Travel Plan – Nishuane Elementary SchoolS:\Project\J458800 Montclair SRTS Workshops\Travel Plans\Nishuane Travel Plan\Nishuane Travel Plan 4-4-13.docx Page | 50

Montclair Safe Routes to School ProgramSafe Routes to School Travel Plan – Nishuane Elementary SchoolS:\Project\J458800 Montclair SRTS Workshops\Travel Plans\Nishuane Travel Plan\Nishuane Travel Plan 4-4-13.docx Page | 51

Montclair Safe Routes to School ProgramSafe Routes to School Travel Plan – Nishuane Elementary SchoolAppendix C. Traffic Count Instructions and FormS:\Project\J458800 Montclair SRTS Workshops\Travel Plans\Nishuane Travel Plan\Nishuane Travel Plan 4-4-13.docx Page | 52

Montclair Safe Routes to School ProgramSafe Routes to School Travel Plan – Nishuane Elementary SchoolS:\Project\J458800 Montclair SRTS Workshops\Travel Plans\Nishuane Travel Plan\Nishuane Travel Plan 4-4-13.docx Page | 53

Montclair Safe Routes to School ProgramSafe Routes to School Travel Plan – Nishuane Elementary SchoolSource: Safe routes to school, United States. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, U.S. Dept. of Transportation,National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2002S:\Project\J458800 Montclair SRTS Workshops\Travel Plans\Nishuane Travel Plan\Nishuane Travel Plan 4-4-13.docx Page | 54

Montclair Safe Routes to School ProgramSafe Routes to School Travel Plan – Nishuane Elementary SchoolAppendix D. Action Plan Matrix – Township-wideS:\Project\J458800 Montclair SRTS Workshops\Travel Plans\Nishuane Travel Plan\Nishuane Travel Plan 4-4-13.docx Page | 55

Montclair Safe Routes to School ProgramSafe Routes to School Travel Plan – Nishuane Elementary SchoolAction Plan Matrix – Township-wideTimeframe DefinitionCost DefinitionShort-term = less than 3 months Low = Less than $2,000Mid-term = between 3 to 6 months Medium = between $2,000 and $10,000Long-term = longer than 6 months High = more than $10,000No. Action (Township-wide) Partners Timeframe Cost NotesEngineeringA1A2A3A4A5A6A7Install pedestrian countdownsignal heads and R10-3eplacards with instructions foruse at appropriate locationsInstall pedestrian crossingsigns with school childrensymbols at unsignalizedschool crossingsEstablish, through ordinance,all school zones as "ZeroTolerance" areas where finesfor speeding are doubledPost “Zero Tolerance” signs inall school zonesEvaluate appropriatelocations for pedestrian scalelighting paying specialattention to existing andfuture sidewalksInstall pedestrian scalelighting - paying specialattention to existing andfuture sidewalksConduct a sidewalkassessment and create aprioritized list of locations forinstallation of ADA-compliantcurb ramps with detectablewarning surfaces at locationswhere they are missingCounty Short-term MediumCounty Short-term LowCounty Short-term LowCounty Mid-term MediumCounty Short-term LowCounty Short-term Medium- HighCounty Short-term LowS:\Project\J458800 Montclair SRTS Workshops\Travel Plans\Nishuane Travel Plan\Nishuane Travel Plan 4-4-13.docx Page | 56

Montclair Safe Routes to School ProgramSafe Routes to School Travel Plan – Nishuane Elementary SchoolNo. Action (Township-wide) Partners Timeframe Cost NotesA8 Install ADA-compliant curb County Short-term Mediumramps with detectablewarning surfaces at locationswhere they are missingA9 Provide high visibility County Short-term Lowcrosswalks fluorescent,yellow-green advancedschool crossing and schoolwarning signs within schoolzones and along designatedschool routesA10 Install signage within theschool zones clearly denotingthe school zone speed limit,associated fines for speedingand applicable hoursTownship Short-term LowEducationA11A12Sponsor and host bicyclerodeos for all students toimprove their cycling skillsProvide better training foraides on the school busMeadowlink TMA/BikeShops/Bike&WalkMontclair/PTASRTS Coordinator/Board ofEducationShort-term/ongoingShort-term/ongoingLowLowA13A14Introduce bicycle andpedestrian safety into theschool curriculum throughprograms such as WalkSafeor BikeSafe or event basedprograms through SafeKidsor the Brain InjuryAssociation of New JerseyProvide educational materialsabout the dangers ofspeeding or other violations,especially in the school area,at major communitygathering locations such asthe Library, Montclair BID,churches, bike shops andTownship buildingsSchool Superintendent Short-term LowMeadowlink TMA/Bike&Walk MontclairShort-termLowS:\Project\J458800 Montclair SRTS Workshops\Travel Plans\Nishuane Travel Plan\Nishuane Travel Plan 4-4-13.docx Page | 57

Montclair Safe Routes to School ProgramSafe Routes to School Travel Plan – Nishuane Elementary SchoolNo. Action (Township-wide) Partners Timeframe Cost NotesA15 Circulate school walking andbicycling event informationwith municipal utility or taxbills.Board of Education Short-term/ongoingLowA16Include the health benefits ofconducting a SRTS programin Teacher Training programsSchoolSuperintendent/SRTSCoordinatorShort-termLowA17A18A19A20Promote Bike&WalkMontclair's Courteous DrivingPledgeCreate a doortag or flyer forproperty owners andbusinesses with informationon Chapter 297 STREETS ANDSIDEWALKS of the Township’sCode, including finesassociated with violations andthe importance of keepingthe pedestrian passagewayfree from obstructionsEducate parents to let theirchildren out of the carcurbside instead of in thestreetCreate web-based trafficsafety quizzes that includebicyclist, pedestrian andmotorist safety questions onthe school websiteBike&Walk Montclair/PTATownship CodeEnforcementSRTS TeamLeader/PTA/MeadowlinkTMA/School Safety PatrolBoard ofEducation/MeadowlinkTMAShort-term/ongoingLowShouldhavepledgesandmagnets onhand at theMunicipalBldg &CommunityServicesBldgShort-term Low SeeAppendix Efor sampleShort-term/ongoingShort-termLowLowS:\Project\J458800 Montclair SRTS Workshops\Travel Plans\Nishuane Travel Plan\Nishuane Travel Plan 4-4-13.docx Page | 58

Montclair Safe Routes to School ProgramSafe Routes to School Travel Plan – Nishuane Elementary SchoolNo. Action (Township-wide) Partners Timeframe Cost NotesA21 Initiate a public educationprogram/campaign, such asStreet Smarts, that uses adual approach of media andcommunity relations toeducate and raise communityawareness about traffic safetyissues for all usersMeadowlink TMA Short-term Low -MediumA22Provide better training for theaid on the school busSRTS Coordinator/Board ofEducation/Short-termLowEnforcementA23A24Conduct a series of"pedestrian decoy"operations at conflictintersections to stronglyreinforce that Montclair takesits motor vehicle laws andpedestrian rights seriously.Consider repeating every sixweeks until driver behavior isperceived to be morerespectful of pedestrian’sright to travel safelyContinue bicycle andpedestrian safety educationwithin the school systemPolice Department/NJHTS/Rutgers UniversityBoard of Education/PoliceDepartment/MeadowlinkTMA/Bike&Walk MontclairShort-term Low -MediumShort-term/ongoingLowA25A26Use crossing guards to handout safety information andinformation on the NJPedestrian Crossing LawCreate a zero tolerance trafficenforcement program andassign extra patrol to theseareas during arrival anddismissalPolice DepartmentShort-term/ongoingLowPolice Department Short-term LowS:\Project\J458800 Montclair SRTS Workshops\Travel Plans\Nishuane Travel Plan\Nishuane Travel Plan 4-4-13.docx Page | 59

Montclair Safe Routes to School ProgramSafe Routes to School Travel Plan – Nishuane Elementary SchoolNo. Action (Township-wide) Partners Timeframe Cost NotesA27 Strictly enforce the 25 mphspeed limit on all TownshipstreetsPolice Department Short-term LowEncouragementA28A29A30A31A32A33A34Host a poster contest forInternational Walk and Biketo School DayCirculate school walking andbicycling event informationwith municipal utility or taxbills.Create a pamphlet/palmcard/ and/or any other printor web material gearedtowards parents highlightingthe benefits of walking andbiking to schoolHave designated walkingschool bus meeting pointsmapped and signed for allelementary and middleschoolsCreate and publish a pressrelease detailing the school’sinvolvement in the SRTSprogram and the Travel Plandeveloped for the school.Use Channel 34 and theTownship website to providepublic safety information,events, messages to residentsrelated to bicycling andwalking such as bike and walkto school dayApply for funding to create atransportation matching andparticipation program at eachschool that will linkparents/students interestedin carpooling, biking, orwalking to and from school.SRTS Coordinator Short-term LowSRTS CoordinatorSRTS Coordinator/NJ SRTSAdvocacy OrganizerPolice Department/ Boardof EducationShortterm/OngoingShort-termShort-termLowLowLowSRTS Coordinator Short-term LowSRTS Coordinator Short-term LowBoard of Education/SRTSCoordinator/MeadowlinkTMA/NJDOTShort-term Low Use FloridaDOT'sSchoolPoolas anexample.S:\Project\J458800 Montclair SRTS Workshops\Travel Plans\Nishuane Travel Plan\Nishuane Travel Plan 4-4-13.docx Page | 60

Montclair Safe Routes to School ProgramSafe Routes to School Travel Plan – Nishuane Elementary SchoolNo. Action (Township-wide) Partners Timeframe Cost NotesA35 Create and sign a jointpowers agreement formaintenance ofbike/pedestrian facilitiesCounty Short-term LowA36Adopt a resolution endorsingthe Nishuane SRTS TravelPlanBoard of Education Short-term LowA37Market/brand Montclair’sSRTS Program as “Montclair’sActive & Safe Routes toSchool Program”SRTS Coordinator/Board ofEducation/SRTS TeamLeaderShort-term/ongoingLowEvaluationA38A39Conduct student travelsurveys in all schools todetermine and measure howstudents travel to schoolDesignate weeks on theschool calendar to conducttraffic counts at thebeginning and end of theschool yearBoard of Education/RutgersVTCSRTS Coordinator/Board ofEducation/SRTS TeamLeaderShort-termShortterm/OngoingLowLowS:\Project\J458800 Montclair SRTS Workshops\Travel Plans\Nishuane Travel Plan\Nishuane Travel Plan 4-4-13.docx Page | 61

Montclair Safe Routes to School ProgramSafe Routes to School Travel Plan – Nishuane Elementary SchoolAppendix E. Samples of SRTS Educational MaterialsS:\Project\J458800 Montclair SRTS Workshops\Travel Plans\Nishuane Travel Plan\Nishuane Travel Plan 4-4-13.docx Page | 62

Montclair Safe Routes to School ProgramSafe Routes to School Travel Plan – Nishuane Elementary SchoolSRTS Curriculumhttp://www.nhtsa.gov/ChildPedestrianSafetyCurriculumMessage:• The adoption of a pedestrian/bicycle curriculum by a school or school district helpsassure that children will receive repeated age-appropriate education.• The Walk to School web site has a list of downloadable free pedestrian and bicycle safetyeducation programs, including a recently developed national curriculum developed bythe National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).Background:NHTSA’s Child Pedestrian Safety Curriculum teaches and encourages pedestrian safety forstudents grades Kindergarten through 5th Grade. It is organized into five lessons: walking neartraffic, crossing streets, crossing intersections, parking lot safety, and school bus safety. Eachlesson builds upon previous set of skills learned.S:\Project\J458800 Montclair SRTS Workshops\Travel Plans\Nishuane Travel Plan\Nishuane Travel Plan 4-4-13.docx Page | 63

Montclair Safe Routes to School ProgramSafe Routes to School Travel Plan – Nishuane Elementary SchoolSRTS Classroom ResourcesSource: Coldfall Primary, London, UK provided by www.iwalktoschool.org;Message:In the classroom, SRTS education can be integrated into existing topics. A few examples ofof integrating SRTS education are:• Safety education can be infused into traditional classroom subjects such as language artsor science taught by the classroom teacher.• Math: calculating average walking speeds or distances.• Biology: walk to collect samples, observe nature.• Reading: read about nature, walking.• Language arts: write about walking, what see on way to school, design posters toencourage walking.• Geography: track mileage and plot on a map. Learn about places that the school or class“visits.”• Arts: Photography contests, drawing contests where students depict their routes toschoolS:\Project\J458800 Montclair SRTS Workshops\Travel Plans\Nishuane Travel Plan\Nishuane Travel Plan 4-4-13.docx Page | 64

Montclair Safe Routes to School ProgramSafe Routes to School Travel Plan – Nishuane Elementary SchoolSample Door Tag TemplateFor further information regarding FilePreparation click on the link below:http://www.48hourprint.com/preparing-files.htmlS:\Project\J458800 Montclair SRTS Workshops\Travel Plans\Nishuane Travel Plan\Nishuane Travel Plan 4-4-13.docx Page | 65

Montclair Safe Routes to School ProgramSafe Routes to School Travel Plan – Nishuane Elementary SchoolSample Text for Door TagSource: www.cityofchicago.orgS:\Project\J458800 Montclair SRTS Workshops\Travel Plans\Nishuane Travel Plan\Nishuane Travel Plan 4-4-13.docx Page | 66

Montclair Safe Routes to School ProgramSafe Routes to School Travel Plan – Nishuane Elementary SchoolWindshield WarningSource: Los Alamitos, CA, provided by David ParisiS:\Project\J458800 Montclair SRTS Workshops\Travel Plans\Nishuane Travel Plan\Nishuane Travel Plan 4-4-13.docx Page | 67

Montclair Safe Routes to School ProgramSafe Routes to School Travel Plan – Nishuane Elementary SchoolAppendix F. SRTS General ResourcesS:\Project\J458800 Montclair SRTS Workshops\Travel Plans\Nishuane Travel Plan\Nishuane Travel Plan 4-4-13.docx Page | 68

Montclair Safe Routes to School ProgramSafe Routes to School Travel Plan – Nishuane Elementary SchoolStudent PledgeS:\Project\J458800 Montclair SRTS Workshops\Travel Plans\Nishuane Travel Plan\Nishuane Travel Plan 4-4-13.docx Page | 69

Montclair Safe Routes to School ProgramSafe Routes to School Travel Plan – Nishuane Elementary SchoolParent PledgeS:\Project\J458800 Montclair SRTS Workshops\Travel Plans\Nishuane Travel Plan\Nishuane Travel Plan 4-4-13.docx Page | 70

Montclair Safe Routes to School ProgramSafe Routes to School Travel Plan – Nishuane Elementary SchoolCommunity PledgeSafe Routes to SchoolPledge to Nishuane Elementary School’s ChildrenTake the PledgeIn the last 35 years, our children have lost a lot of the freedom and independence they once had toexplore our neighborhoods. As we have designed our communities around automobiles, activitieslike walking or bicycling to school have declined dramatically. We believe it’s time for a change. Wepledge that by the time the kindergarten class of 2013 graduates high school, the majority of schooltrips will once again be made safely by foot or bicycle. 2To our children, we pledge to make your health and safety our number one priority, including to:• Make the streets safe, convenient and attractive enough to let you walk or bicycle to schools.• Ensure the streets around your schools have frequent, safe places to cross.• Drive slowly through school zones.• Enforce traffic laws in school zones and neighborhoods to slow down motor vehicle traffic.• Locate schools within walking and bicycling distance of as many pupils as possible.• Reduce the amount of traffic around your schools.• Provide secure bicycle parking at your schools.• Teach traffic safety skills routinely throughout your school career: first as a pedestrian, next as abicyclist, and then as a motorist.• Encourage staff and students at your schools to walk and bicycle more often.Signed (any combination of the following),MayorTownship CouncilTownship Manager/AdministratorTownship Engineer/Public WorksTownship PlannerTownship PoliceSchool District Board of EducationSchool PrincipalSchool Teacher(s)School NursePTA/Parents/CaregiversCommunity LiaisonOther community groups2 Pledge to Children is based on the Active Living Resource Center’s SRTS Pledge.S:\Project\J458800 Montclair SRTS Workshops\Travel Plans\Nishuane Travel Plan\Nishuane Travel Plan 4-4-13.docx Page | 71

Montclair Safe Routes to School ProgramSafe Routes to School Travel Plan – Nishuane Elementary SchoolBike Rack Considerations for PlacementSource: Safe Routes to School Guide, www.saferoutesinfo.orgS:\Project\J458800 Montclair SRTS Workshops\Travel Plans\Nishuane Travel Plan\Nishuane Travel Plan 4-4-13.docx Page | 72

Montclair Safe Routes to School ProgramSafe Routes to School Travel Plan – Nishuane Elementary SchoolNJ SRTS Info SheetS:\Project\J458800 Montclair SRTS Workshops\Travel Plans\Nishuane Travel Plan\Nishuane Travel Plan 4-4-13.docx Page | 73

Montclair Safe Routes to School ProgramSafe Routes to School Travel Plan – Nishuane Elementary SchoolNJ SRTS Recognition ProgramS:\Project\J458800 Montclair SRTS Workshops\Travel Plans\Nishuane Travel Plan\Nishuane Travel Plan 4-4-13.docx Page | 74

Montclair Safe Routes to School ProgramSafe Routes to School Travel Plan – Nishuane Elementary SchoolAppendix G. Montclair-Specific ResourcesS:\Project\J458800 Montclair SRTS Workshops\Travel Plans\Nishuane Travel Plan\Nishuane Travel Plan 4-4-13.docx Page | 75

Montclair Safe Routes to School ProgramSafe Routes to School Travel Plan – Nishuane Elementary SchoolTownship of Montclair Draft Bike Network MapSource: Township of Montclair Bike/Ped Action Plan, Michael Baker Associates, 2005S:\Project\J458800 Montclair SRTS Workshops\Travel Plans\Nishuane Travel Plan\Nishuane Travel Plan 4-4-13.docx Page | 76

Montclair Safe Routes to School ProgramSafe Routes to School Travel Plan – Nishuane Elementary SchoolBike&Walk Montclair Bicycle Education ProgramS:\Project\J458800 Montclair SRTS Workshops\Travel Plans\Nishuane Travel Plan\Nishuane Travel Plan 4-4-13.docx Page | 77