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    Safe Routes to School

    Safe Routes to School (SRTS) is a national and international movement to create safe, con­venient, and healthy opportunities for students to walk and bicycle to school. 

    The program encourages students to walk, bike, and roll to school, helping to reverse an alarming decrease in students' physical activity and an associated increase in obesity and other health condi­tions. By getting more students to walk and bicycle to school, communities can also reduce fuel con­sumption, alleviate traffic congestion, and improve air quality. SRTS programs are built on collaborative partnerships among many stakeholders, including educators, parents, students, elected officials, engineers, planners, business and community leaders, health officials, and bicycle and pedestrian advocates. 

    The SRTS program has funding for in­frastructure improvements, safety ed­ucation, and incentives to encourage walking and bicycling. 

    Sidewalk cutting through a neighborhood lawn next to a street

    What is the difference between non-infrastructure and infrastructure SRTS projects?

    Non-infrastructure projects do not involve physical improvements to the transportation structures but instead serve to increase awareness and encourage safe use of existing or future facilities. Specifically, non-infrastructure support involves development, implementation, or expansion of pro­grams that educate, promote equity, encourage, engage, and evaluate safe routes to school. For SRTS non-infra­structure projects, PennDOT will fund the activities (such as a bicycle rodeo, educational assembly, safety outreach program, etc.) or items (e.g., crossing guard equipment, encouragement, or safety items). The project sponsor must pay for all activity planning, coordination, and development.

    Infrastructure projects involve physical additions or improvement of existing transportation facili­ties in and around a school. Traditionally, such improvements include sidewalks, bike lanes, cross­walks, signs and signals, although smaller improvements such as bike racks or bike lockers will qualify too.

    Learn more about the Federal Safe Routes to School program.

     

    Funding FAQs

    The following groups are eligible to apply for Safe Route to School projects or programs:

    • School districts, local education agencies, or schools
    • Local governments
    • Regional transportation authorities
    • Transit agencies
    • Tribal governments
    • County Recreational Trails Authorities
    • County Recreational Authorities
    • Urban Redevelopment Authorities
    • Natural resource or public land agencies, including Federal agencies
    • Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) that serve small urban areas. These areas must have a population of 200,000 or less
    • Any other local or regional governmental organization with oversight of transportation or recreational trails. This doesn't apply to an RPO, an MPO with over 200,000 people, or a state agency.
    • Transportation Management Associations (TMAs)
    • Universities and Colleges making improvements to public right-of-way
    • Municipal authorities 

     

    You can apply for funding for a Safe Routes to School project through a five-step process.

     

    1. 1

      Register for a PDAuth Username

      If you don't have a PDAuth account, go to https://gis.penndot.gov/pdauth/login and select Create Account. If you do have an existing PDAuth account, login to your account.

      Note: CONNECTS users should already have a PDAuth account.  

    2. 2

      Register for TASA Access through the PDAuth System

      Once logged in, choose "Request access to an application." This will take you to a new screen. Select TASA from the list of applications. 

      • Fill out the Request Reason box
      • Check the confirmation box
      • Click the Request Access button
    3. 3

      Submit a Draft Application

      Next, you need to submit a draft application (timing and deadlines for 2024 to be announced).  There are multiple guides on the TASA webpage to help you with the application process, including:

       

      The application worksheet is only for informational purposes. You need to submit your application through the application system. 

      The application system is located at
       https://gis.penndot.gov/tasa/home. All starred items are required for the draft application. 

    4. 4

      Attend Draft Application Meeting with PennDOT and Planning Partner

      After you submit a draft application, PennDOT will reach out to you. They will schedule a draft application meeting with you.

      Planning partners will also be invited to attend the meeting.

      The goal of a draft application meeting is to complete a preliminary review of the proposed project by:

      • Evaluate eligibility
      • Review scope of work
      • Review cost estimates
      • Determine if the project can be completed within the required time frame
    5. 5

      Submit Final Application

      Revise your application based on feedback from the draft application meeting. Be sure to submit your final application by the due date (timing and deadlines for 2024 to be announced).