ALABAMA WALK

Featuring

THE WALKING SCHOOL BUS

Program Guide

Neighborhood

School

WHAT IS THE WALKING SCHOOL BUS?

A component of the Alabama Safe Routes to School Program

Conducted by trained volunteers who serve as escorts

A method of promoting highway safety and physical fitness

Students join as walkers pass their home

WHO NEEDS A WALKING SCHOOL

BUS? Neighborhood schools where a majority of the

students walk. Neighborhood schools with a high percentage of

students who are driving within a two mile radius Neighborhood schools prone to high crime/high

vehicle crash statistics

IntroducesOutdoors

AndNature

IntroducesOutdoors

AndNature

TeachesPedestrian

SafetySkills

TeachesPedestrian

SafetySkills

ReducesTraffic

Accidents

ReducesTraffic

Accidents

ReducesTraffic

Congestion

ReducesTraffic

Congestion

A GoodPhysicalActivity

A GoodPhysicalActivity

AlternativeTravel Mode

AlternativeTravel Mode

BENEFITSBENEFITS

GETTING THE WHEELS “ROLLING”

Meet with School Representatives

Give brief explanation of the program

Conduct neighborhood safety surveys and audits

Distribute promotional and educational material

POTENTIAL GOALS Increase the number of students walking Increase physical fitness of area students Raise community awareness Reduce unlawful behavior Making necessary highway safety improvements Tie to other neighborhood safety initiatives

GETTING THE WORD OUT ABOUT SRTS

Identify and validate community SRTS problems Create/distribute a promotional flyer Find a community SRTS champion Prepare brief introductory Get SRTS message on local agency agendas Appoint a work team Organize community meetings with target audience

THE FIRST SRTS MEETING AGENDA

Working team introduction How the program works Overview of problems Questions/Answers Preview neighborhood street

maps Identify safety improvements Recruit volunteers to sign up Hold subsequent meetings

as necessary

SRTS WALKING BUS DRIVERS TRAINING

Route Identification Location/type of

improvements Avoid busy

intersections Use of residential

streets

Learn/Teach basic pedestrian “Rules of the Road”

Use of scenic and educational points

Interaction with law enforcement

DEVELOPING NEIGHBORHOOD ROUTE

OWNERSHIP Conduct a naming the route

contest Install signs designating the

Route Distribute goal oriented flyer,

brochures/bookmarks Secure promotional sponsors Get “Bus Driver” safety clothing

and equipment

SAMPLE ROTATION SCHEDULE FORM

Walking School Bus Group Name: ____________________________________Months/Year: ________________________Group Leader: _______________________ Agency: _____________________

Date Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

AM: Volunteer

PM: Volunteer

AM: Volunteer

PM: Volunteer

AM: Volunteer

PM: Volunteer

AM: Volunteer

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NEIGHBORHOOD PARTICIPATION AWARD

NEIGHBORHOOD PARTICIPATION AWARD

REWARDING COMMUNITY EFFORTS

LET’S GET ROLLING AND HAVE A GREAT YEAR!

Neighborhood School