FAQs - Information You Need to Know

The Safe Routes to School Program in California connected to the ATP grant

The Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program in California is a national movement aimed at making it safe, convenient, and enjoyable for children to walk and bicycle to and from school. In California, the SRTS initiative is focused on reversing the decline in children using active transportation for their school commute, which has contributed to traffic congestion and childhood obesity. The program aims to improve student safety and physical activity by addressing environmental and behavioral factors that discourage walking and biking.

The primary funding mechanism for SRTS projects in California is the Active Transportation Program (ATP). The ATP was created in 2013 to consolidate multiple state and federal funding sources. The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) administers the competitive grant cycles of the ATP, which funds both infrastructure projects, such as new sidewalks and crosswalks, and non-infrastructure activities like safety education.

Eligibility to apply for these grants extends to local governments, regional transportation planning agencies, and metropolitan planning organizations. School districts, non-profit organizations, and public health departments can also apply, often in partnership with an eligible public agency. State statute mandates that at least 25% of the total ATP funds must be allocated to projects that directly benefit Disadvantaged Communities, ensuring equitable distribution of resources.

The SRTS program uses the “Five E’s” framework to address safety and encouragement: Engineering, Education, Encouragement, Enforcement, and Evaluation. Engineering involves physical improvements to the built environment, such as installing curb extensions, new sidewalks, protected bike lanes, and enhanced crosswalks. Education focuses on teaching students, parents, and drivers about safe walking and bicycling practices and traffic laws through instruction and community workshops. Encouragement activities generate excitement and increase participation in active transportation through events like Walk to School Day or the formation of “walking school buses.” Enforcement strategies reinforce safe behavior by all road users, including increased police presence to monitor speed limits and yielding laws, and the use of crossing guards. Evaluation is the process of collecting and analyzing data, such as student travel patterns and collision statistics, to measure the program’s effectiveness and inform future planning.

The Active Transportation Program (ATP) is a key initiative in California aimed at promoting the use of active modes of transportation such as biking and walking. It consolidates various federal and state transportation programs into a single entity to enhance California's leadership in active transportation. The ATP's goals include increasing the proportion of trips accomplished by biking and walking, enhancing safety and mobility for non-motorized users, and advancing greenhouse gas reduction efforts. It also aims to improve public health and ensure that disadvantaged communities benefit from the program's initiatives. The ATP provides funding for infrastructure and non-infrastructure projects, supporting a wide range of active transportation users.  

Make your voice heard - Share real concerns about traffic, sidewalks, crossings, and bike routes in your neighborhood.

Help shape solutions - Your input directly influences which improvements are prioritized near schools and across the city.

Improve safety for students - Support efforts to create safer routes for children walking and biking to school.

Stay informed - Learn about upcoming projects and how funding from the Active Transportation Program could benefit Merced.

This is a competitive grant process. Many jurisdictions throughout California are applying for this funding. Merced's residents will greatly benefit from the improvements to our walkways. Your input and feedback will strengthen this initiative.