The Safe Routes to Schools Program is a Federal-Aid program of the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The Program was created by Section 1404 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users Act (SAFETEA-LU). The SRTS Program was funded at $1.162 billion for Federal fiscal years (FY) 2005-2012 and is administered by State Departments of Transportation (DOTs).
The information on the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) webpages remains in effect for SRTS funds apportioned in Federal fiscal years 2005 through 2012.
The Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) authorized the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP), which replaced the funding from pre-MAP-21 programs including the Transportation Enhancement Activities, Recreational Trails Program, and Safe Routes to School Program (SRTS). MAP-21 did not provide specific funding for SRTS, but SRTS projects are eligible for TAP funds and for Surface Transportation Program (STP) funds. TAP provisions and requirements apply to projects using TAP funds.
For information about SRTS under TAP, see:
The Program provides funds to the States to substantially improve the ability of primary and middle school students to walk and bicycle to school safely. The purposes of the program are:
Each State administers its own program and develops its own procedures to solicit and select projects for funding. The program establishes two distinct types of funding opportunities: infrastructure projects (engineering improvements) and non-infrastructure related activities (such as education, enforcement and encouragement programs). More detail on eligible projects, as well as program set-up is provided in the SRTS Program Guidance document.
The legislation also specifically establishes several entities that are responsible for coordination and information distribution:
Safe Routes to School Coordinator
Each State Department of Transportation is required to establish a full-time position of coordinator of the State's Safe Routes to School Program. FHWA issued a Memorandum on September 26, 2005 with instructions regarding this position. Also refer to the FAQ section of this website for further guidance. You may view a complete list of State SRTS Coordinators.
National SRTS Clearinghouse
The FHWA will make grants to a national nonprofit organization engaged in promoting safe routes to schools to operate a National SRTS Clearinghouse, to develop information and educational programs on safe routes to school, and to provide technical assistance and disseminate techniques and strategies used for successful safe routes to school programs. FHWA issued a Request For Applications for the Clearinghouse in mid-January 2006, and expects to award the work in the Spring of 2006.
Task Force
The FHWA will form a national Safe Routes To School Task Force composed of leaders in health, transportation, and education. The Task Force may include representatives from State and local agencies as well as relevant non-profit organizations and associations. The goals of the Task Force will be to study and develop a strategy for advancing safe routes to school programs nationwide. Congress has requested a report from the Task Force detailing the results of their work.
