Development and Pilot Implementation of Safe Routes to School Master Plan in Florida

Abstract: The study presents the development and pilot implementation of a Safe Routes to School (SRTS) master plan aimed at improving student safety and promoting active transportation. The master plan, developed for the state of Florida, provides a systematic, data-driven approach to prioritizing schools for safety interventions. The prioritization is based on critical factors, including crash history, existing pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, traffic patterns, and demographic characteristics of the surrounding community.
One of the key innovations of this master plan is its adaptability for use beyond Florida. The framework is designed to be scalable and applicable to other states and regions, providing a flexible approach to address local needs while promoting equity in resource allocation. To support this, the master plan integrates a Geographic Information Systems (GIS)-based decision support tool, enabling stakeholders to customize the prioritization of schools based on jurisdictional needs and local preferences. This interactive tool streamlines the process of identifying and ranking schools in need of infrastructure improvements, thereby improving decision-making and resource allocation.
In addition to the GIS-based tool, the project developed a set of specialized tools to assist at every stage of the master plan's implementation. These tools support the entire process, from data collection and analysis to stakeholder engagement, road safety audits, and the identification of safety countermeasures. Designed to be adaptable and scalable, the tools provide a comprehensive roadmap for agencies to enhance school zone safety and promote active transportation. The master plan’s framework includes both engineering solutions, such as traffic calming measures and pedestrian infrastructure improvements, and non-engineering strategies, including education, encouragement, and community engagement initiatives.
To validate the effectiveness of the master plan and the associated tools, a pilot study was conducted at ten schools across Florida. These schools were selected using the data-driven prioritization framework, ensuring that the pilot focused on schools with the greatest need for intervention. The pilot involved applying the developed tools to conduct detailed crash and infrastructure analyses, gather feedback from stakeholders, and perform road safety audits. The results of the pilot effort led to the identification of low-cost, targeted safety improvements, including enhanced pedestrian crossings, traffic calming measures, and better infrastructure for walking and biking.