Engineering

Under the federal Safe Routes to School program, the program's guidance does not preclude crosswalk markings from being an eligible expense under the infrastructure piece of the funding provided that the location of the crosswalk is in the public right-of-way and public land, including those lands owned by public school districts, and within the two-mile boundary around the elementary or middle school.

Personal motor vehicles taking K-12th grade students to school accounted for five to seven percent of vehicle miles traveled and 10 to 14 percent of all personal vehicle trips made during the morning peak period (7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.) in 2009.(1)  These percentages are based on an analysis of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Household Travel Survey and Nationwide Personal Transportation Survey. 

When there is a safety problem, such as speeding traffic near a school, you could be tempted to frame the issue in terms of the solution. For example, you might think a traffic signal would solve the problem. Although it is possible your idea is a good solution, it is more effective to seek input from the professionals before deciding on a solution.

The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) is the leading manual used throughout the US to set the standards and guide decisions on the type and placement of various traffic control devices. Chapter 7 of the MUTCD provides a tremendous amount of technical details on traffic control devices that have been approved by the Federal Highway Administration for use in school areas.

Typically not. Engineering is only one piece of the solution to improving traffic safety and reducing congestion at all schools. The use of Enforcement, Education, and Encouragement tools are even more important for rural schools on two-lane arterials or State highways. Police Enforcement, along with the educational measures listed above may be needed to bring about safe and desirable traffic conditions.

Section 7A.01 Need for Standards
Support: It is important to stress that regardless of the school location, the best way to achieve reasonably safe and effective traffic control is through the uniform application of realistic policies, practices, and standards developed through engineering judgment.

Since the end of the 1970s, studies of routes to schools have been conducted within the Municipality of Odense Local authorities in Denmark have a statutory duty to make dangerous routes to schools safe, and an obligation to provide suitable transport while measures to make these routes safe are implemented. In the Municipality of Odense, a systematic programme of studies of 45 schools has been conducted. Every year a sum is earmarked in the municipal investment budget to cover projects relating to school routes.