AASHTO Domestic Scan Proposal Form
AASHTO is soliciting topic proposals for a FY 2009 US Domestic Scan Program (NCHRP Panel
20-68A). Each selected scan topic will be investigated through site visits to three to six locations
over a one or two week period, conducted by a group of eight to 12 transportation professionals
with expertise in the selected topic area. Proposed topics should meet the following criteria:
 Address an important and timely need for information by transportation agencies;
 Are of interest to a broad national spectrum of people and agencies;
 Are complex and also “hands-on,” meaning they lend themselves particularly well to
exploration through on-site visits; and
 Are sufficiently focused that the tour participants are able to investigate and understand
key issues in the limited time available on the tour.
Proposals should be returned no later than November 9th, 2007.
Proposal Contact Information
Name:
Jon Kaplan, P.E.
Title:
Vermont Safe Routes to School Coordinator
Agency/AASHTO Committee: Non-Motorized Transportation Technical Committee
Address: 1 National Life Drive, Montpelier, VT 05633-5001
E-mail: jon.kaplan@state.vt.us
Telephone number:
802.828.0059
Date of submission:
11/9/2007
Title of Proposed Scan
Innovative Safe Routes to School Infrastructure Projects
Problem Statement
(What topic is to be examined? What drives the need for the scan? Why now?)
The passage of SAFETEA-LU in 2005 created the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program
that dedicates Federal funding for infrastructure improvements that should result in
safer conditions for students who desire to walk or ride bicycles to school. While
pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure projects are not new, determining which projects
are effective in enabling higher levels of student walking and bicycling is needed. Many
SRTS programs are in the process of selecting infrastructure projects for funding. By
reviewing on the ground examples of infrastructure projects that have been successful,
SRTS programs will maximize the benefit of their infrastructure funding.
Scan Scope
(What specific subject areas are to be examined? Which cities and states might be visited?
Which agencies/organizations (including specific departments or types of staff if applicable)?
It is anticipated that reviewing the following projects will be helpful: traffic calming
projects in school route corridors, signalized and unsignalized pedestrian crossings near
schools, innovative shared use path connections to schools, school site plans/traffic
circulation configurations that favor student walking and bicycling. The scan would
favor states/municipalities that had SRTS programs prior to 2005 and have completed
infrastructure improvements. Likely candidates are CA, CO, MI, OR, WA. Individuals
to make contact with would include public works staff, school SRTS coordinators, school
principals and state/regional traffic engineers.
Scan Objectives
(What key information is to be gained? What information is to be shared after the
scan? Who would the audience be for this information?)
Identify which infrastructure improvements are feasible to implement and have the
biggest impact on enabling safe student walking and bicycling to school.
Photo documentation of infrastructure improvements and a summary of construction
costs will be compiled. Projects will be categorized based on the roadway characteristics
including traffic volume and functional classification at each site.
Information will be shared with the state SRTS coordinators, local SRTS programs, and
engineers in the public and private sector.
Benefits Expected (Including potential impacts on current technology or procedures)
By identifying the most effective infrastructure measures, the safety of students walking
and bicycling to school will be maximized. Additionally, the limited pool of SRTS
infrastructure funds will be used on the infrastructure projects most likely to achieve
their intended purpose of increased ped/bike access and safety. Engineers and
communities will spend less time figuring out which improvements will work best to
solve their identified problems.