WisDOT 2013-2014 Safe Routes to School (SRTS)

Planning Assistance Application

Planning Assistance Eligibility

Eligible applicants for Planning Assistance Awards include any local governmental unit (a municipality, regional planning commission, special purpose district or local governmental association, authority, board, commission, department, independent agency, institution or office)including schools and school districts and Tribal Nations.

Communities/schools that do not currently have a SRTS Plan are encouraged to apply. Communities and school districts should work together to determine which schools to include in the application for planning assistance. An application does not need to include every school in a community or school district. It may be more efficient to include multiple schools from one community or school district but each school will need to be committed to the planning process for it to be successful. Please take that into consideration when putting together your application. Schools included in the planning application may include both public and private schools.

Recommendations for Completing the Application

  • This application packet includes the following information:
  • Application instructions (pages 2, 3 and 4)
  • Application (pages 5 and 6)
  • Print the instructions (pages 2-4) and use them to assist you in filling out the application.
  • The Tab keycan be used in the application to move the cursor to the next box.
  • Questions on the application process or Safe Routes to School (SRTS) should be directed to Renee Callaway, Wisconsin Safe Routes to School Coordinator, at 608-266-3973.
  • You can also email r visit for

more information.

  • When you have completed the application, save it as a Microsoft Word document with the name of the local unit of government in the file name and email it along with any attachments to .
  • Project application deadline is no later than 5:00 pm on Friday, May 4, 2012. Submitting applications prior to the deadline will allow for quick review and communication with locals on any outstanding questions.
  • WisDOT will only accept application forms as a Microsoft Word document.
  • The other allowed attachments should be sent as a Microsoft Word document or a PDF.

Instructions

WisDOT 2013-2014 SRTS Planning Assistance Application

Question One: Project Applicant and Application Type

Provide further details about the project in the spaces provided on the application form.

Type of Project Funding Requested – Choose eitherplanning assistance provided by WisDOT assigned consulting firm or planning assistance provided by RPC/MPO. If you are choosing to work with your RPC/MPO then you will need to list the name of the RPC/MPO and their Primary Contact.

Name of Community/School/School District Completing Application

  • Contact Name - This should be someone from the Community/School/School District who is serving as the primary applicant and who could provide additional information about the application should it be needed.
  • Contact Title
  • Contact Mailing Address
  • Area Code – Telephone Number
  • Contact E-mail Address
  • County Where Project Will Take Place

Question Two: School Demographics

What are the demographics for each school that will be a part of the Safe Routes to School planning process? What are the demographics of the community?

If there is more than one school then include the information for additional schools in each box and label the information with the name or initials of the school (for example, RE K-4/FMS 5-7). Please limit this question to no more than one page.

  • School name
  • School population
  • Grades of students at school
  • Estimated number of students currently walking to school (if known)
  • Estimated number of students currently biking to school (if known)
  • Does the school have any school policies related to walking or biking
  • Distance eligibility for riding a bus
  • Number of children not eligible for busing
  • Number of students eligible for busing because of a hazard situation
  • Percentage of students living within one mile of the school
  • Percentage of students living within two miles of the school
  • Percentage of students eligible for free or reduced-cost school meals
  • Community(s) served by school
  • Community(s) population
  • Please provide other pertinent demographic information about the community or school. Commonly included demographics include information on race, income, disabilities, educational attainment, and community employment status.

Question Three: Project Specific Questions

Who is included on your SRTS Task Force? What local support exists for the development of a Safe Routes to School plan? Please list all the members of your SRTS Task Force and whom they represent. In addition, please list any activities that your SRTS Task Force has already undertaken.

What local support exists that will ensure the success of the SRTS planning process and the development of an ongoing SRTS Program? Describe in as much detail as possible how your community/school will ensure that the planning process leads to a completed SRTS Plan and to the development of an ongoing SRTS Program. Include any long term plans or ideas you have for ensuring the success of SRTS in your school/community.

What are the current conditions for bicycling and walking in your school area? Please include information on the following as applicable: What concerns have already been identified in your community regarding walking and/or bicycling to and from your schools? List any documented hazards such as accident data, traffic counts, community and school surveys or audits, speed surveys, and any other factors as appropriate. Describe any existing activities or conditions at the affected schools that enhance biking or walking to school. These could be engineering changes already undertaken, events, classroom activities, enforcement or other items that make walking and biking easier, safer or a preferred transportation choice. (Photos may be included to illustrate the current situation as part of this question or as part of the allowed additional attachments.)

What support exists for Safe Routes to School’s desired outcomes? Does the community or school have any policies that either limit or encourage biking and/or walking to school? If so, please list the policies. Does the school or community plan to study changing any of the policies? Describe any other programming/policies that are related to SRTS that are ongoing in the school/community (e.g. Wellness Policy, Physical Activity policies or Green and Healthy Schools certification). For more information on the desired outcomes for the Safe Routes to School program see the Planning Assistance Awards Application Guidelines.

Question Four: Map and Additional Attachments

Please provide a map of the school(s) and surrounding area that shows an approximate 2-mile radius from the school(s).It may be possible to use a commercially available map or draw on a map you customize through a web site such as Google Maps ( If you get outside help in making a map with mapping software such as GIS, make sure the technicians helping you know the map must be kept at a scale where the information can be read on an 8 ½ x 11 sheet. Potential sources for maps include school district facilities planning offices, municipal planning departments, your local library, or website such as Google Maps or USGS ( is recommended that maps show where residential neighborhoods are located in relationship to the school. Other details that might be included on a map are documented hazardous areas which require Hazard Busing, locations of bicycle/pedestrian crashes, school boundaries, and/or current facilities.

Other Additional Attachments Please provide additional support items that you feel are necessary to understand the project such as photographs, additional maps, letters of support or other relevant documentation.

Question Five: Budget

If working with Regional Planning Commission (RPC) or Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), please include a detailed budget showing costs. The RPC or MPO you are working with will provide you with this information. Please contact them early in the process so they have adequate time to work with you to develop an accurate and complete budget. If you are choosing to work with the WisDOT assigned consulting firm you will not need to provide a budget with your application.

Application and Attachments

Please make sure that you have included all the required items when you submit your application. This section reviews everything that must be submitted to make a complete application. Please include the application and attachments in one email.

Application Submission

All submitted applications and attachments should be able to be printed on 8 ½ x 11 size paper in black and white. The answer to question two should be no more than one page and the answers to questionthree should be no more than six pages. In addition, a onepage map is required. Up to six pagesof additional attachments are allowed. If an RPC or MPO will be providing the planning assistance up to two pages is allowed for their budget.

When you have completed the application, save it as a Microsoft Word document with the name of the project applicant in the file name, and email it along with any attachments to chments should be sent as a Microsoft Word document or a PDF.

Project application deadline is no later than 5:00 pm on Friday, May 4, 2012.

WisDOT 2013-2014SRTS Planning Assistance Application

  1. Project Applicant and Application Type

Type of Project Funding Requested

Planning assistance provided by WisDOT assigned consulting firm.
Planning assistance provided by RPC/MPO. List Name of RPC/MPO and Primary Contact:

Name of Community/School/School District Completing Application:

Contact Name:
Contact Title:

Contact Mailing Address:

Area Code – Phone Number:()-
Contact E-mail Address:

County Where Project Will Take Place:

  1. School Demographics

What are the name(s) and demographics for each school affected by the proposed program or project?

School name: School population: Grades of students at school:

Estimated number of students currently walking to school (if known):

Estimated number of students currently biking to school (if known):

Does the school have any policies related to walking or biking?

Distance eligibility for riding a bus: Number of children not eligible for busing:

Number of students eligible for busing because of a hazard situation:
Percentage of students living within one mile of the school:

Percentage of students living within two miles of the school:

Percentage of students eligible for free or reduced-cost school meals:

Community(s)served by school: Community(s)population:

Please provide other pertinent demographic information about the community or school:

  1. Project Specific Questions

Please answer the following questions in no more thansixpages.

Who is included on your SRTS Task Force? What local support exists for the development of a Safe Routes to School plan?

What local support exists that will ensure the success of the SRTS planning process and the development of an ongoing SRTS Program?

What are the current conditions for bicycling and walking in your school area?

What support exists for Safe Routes to School’s desired outcomes?

4. Project Map and Other Additional Attachments

Please include as an attachment a one page map of the school(s) that shows an approximate two-mile radius from the school(s). You may also include up to six pages of additional attachments, such as photographs of the school/project area, additional more detailed maps, or letters of support.

5. Budget

If working with Regional Planning Commission (RPC) or Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), please include a detailed budget. This should be no more than two pages. If requesting to work with the WisDOT Consultant a budget does not need to be attached.

Application and Attachments

I have included in my email to :

A completed application form with no more than one page for question two and no more than six pages for question three.

A one page map of the school(s) and surrounding area.

Optional Attachments -Any desired additional support itemssuch as photographs, additional maps, letters of support or other relevant documentation. Six pages maximum.

MPO or RPC Budget –If you are electing to work with your local MPO or RPC please include a budget. Two pages maximum. If you are electing to work with the assigned WisDOT Consulting Firm no budget is required.

All attachments must be able to print in black and white on 8½x11 size paper and should be emailed together with the application. The application must be in Microsoft Word format. The attachments may be Microsoft Word or an Adobe PDF file.

WisDOT Information – Shaded area to be completed by WisDOT staff only.

FOR WisDOT USE ONLY

Application Reviewer’s Name and Title:

Date Received:

Date Reviewed:

Comments:

Application Reviewer’s Signature:

Additional Information for Approved Projects

Approved Federal Funding Amount: $ Comments:

WisDOT Central Office Reviewer’s Signature:Date:

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3-19-2012