Safe Route to School Workshops in Hilo & Kohala

Big Island Now stock photo.

The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation will hold Safe Routes to School (SRTS) informational workshops in Hilo and North Kohala.

Community leaders, school officials, health and transportation professionals, law enforcement officers, parents and neighbors who are interested in the implementation of SRTS strategies at all schools statewide are invited to participate. These workshops are offered free of charge and lunch is provided.

Monday, March 13, 2017
8:30 a.m.–4 p.m.
Chiefess Kapiolani Elementary School Media Center
966 Kilauea Avenue, Hilo

Wednesday, March 15, 2017
8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
North Kohala Public Library
54-3645 Akoni Pule Highway, Kapa‘au

To register, go online and click on the link under “Upcoming Workshops,” or contact Tara Lucas at (808) 692-7696, or email saferoutestoschool@hawaii.gov. Workshop size is limited.

Communities around the country are using SRTS programs to make it safer and more appealing for children to walk and bicycle to school. Federal legislation has recognized the value of SRTS programs and has provided funding for states to establish programs.

SRTS programs grow from community’s concerns about safety, health and traffic. A combination of engineering, education, encouragement, and enforcement strategies are used to address these concerns and make SRTS a reality.

This workshop provides participants with the knowledge and skills to develop sound SRTS programs based on community needs and conditions, best practices and responsible use of resources. The day concludes with participants learning how to develop an action plan.

The materials covered will be similar to SRTS workshops HDOT has held previously.

Below is an overview of the workshop agenda.

• Why SRTS matters: safety, health and transportation issues
• Engineering strategies
• Education and encouragement strategies
• Enforcement strategies
• Field exercise: observation of school campus and surrounding area
• SRTS federal program in Hawaii
• Perspectives from local stakeholders
• Pick-up and drop-off area strategies
• Identifying problems and solutions
• Creating an action plan for your community

For more information on the SRTS federal program in Hawai‘i, go online.