Safe Routes to School (SRTS) is a national movement to improve safety around schools and on school bus/walk routes.  It encourages active transportation by making it safer and easier for students to walk, bike or roll to school. 

SRTS started in the 1990’s with a few individual projects.  In 2005 Congress approved funding for SRTS programs in all 50 states.  In 2012 funding was incorporated into the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP)

In Idaho, SRTS programs are funded through non-infrastructure TAP grants managed by the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD).  These grants are monitored by the Local Highway Technical Assistance Council (LHTAC).  Non-infrastructure includes education, supplies, training, and safety planning..

  1. History of Safe Routes to School | Safe Routes Partnership
  2. Transportation Alternatives Program | LHTAC
  3. Gauderman, W. J., E. Avol, F. Lurmann, N. Kuenzli, F. Gilliland, J. Peters and R. McConnell, “Childhood Asthma and Exposure to Traffic and Nitrogen Dioxide,” Epidemiology, Volume 16, No. 6, November 2005. AND Gauderman, W.J., H. Vora, R. McConnell, K. Berhane, F. Gilliland, D. Thomas, F. Lurmann, E. Avol, N. Kunzli, M. Jerrett, and J. Peters, “Effect of exposure to traffic on lung development from 10 to 18 years of age: a cohort study,” The Lancet, Volume 368, February 2007