SRTS Conference

January 24, 2019

Jeff Wiggins, AICPCity of Des Moines

Transportation Planner

Safe Routes to School in Des Moines

1. Foundations

2. Collaboration with DMPS

3. City EffortsMoveDSMCIPSurveys

4. Goal

5. Q & A

Walk Audit Volunteers, 2018

SRTS in DSMOUTLINE

FOUNDATIONS

City Population of 210,000Recommended Walk Routes

Developed in 2012Updated in 2015 & 2018

38 Elementary SchoolsServe half of 33,000 students

SRTS in DSM

SRTS in DSM

Quarterly meetingsRecommended Walk RoutesPublished and distributed fall 2018Solicit advice from peersAddress public concerns jointlyJoint Crossing Guard contract with DMPDDrop-off & pick-up procedures Signage, flashers, signal timing, vegetation, etc.School Crossing ManualO&M

COLLABORATION WITH DMPS

SRTS in DSM

CHANGE OF BELL TIMES puts the most vulnerable roadway users on the street:

At the same time as morning commuteIn the dark in the winter months

COLLABORATION WITH DMPS

SRTS in DSM

Created 1997, revised 2018

Traffic Control ToolsMarked crosswalksSchool zone signageStop signTraffic signalMid-block crossingRapid Flashing BeaconHAWK signalSchool Zone Flashing SignalSpeed feedback signAdult crossing guard

CriteriaMUTCDStreet classificationSpeed limitVehicular volume85th percentile speedCrash historyGap analysisPedestrian volume

COLLABORATION WITH DMPS

SIDEWALK INVENTORY & ANALYSIS

SRTS in DSM

SRTS in DSMFUTURE BICYCLE NETWORK

SRTS in DSMCOMPLETE STREETS POLICY UPDATE

2008 Policy, updated in 2018Incorporates best practices from nation & MPOApplies to most projects, with a few exceptionsIntroduces greater accountability

Designated TSC as keeper of the policyRequires annual training of City departmentsRequires annual report with performance metrics

COMPLETE STREETS are designed, built and operated to routinely accommodate safe travel by all modes and for all people

SRTS in DSM

Current Funding for Sidewalks$250K/year for infill projects$675K/year for replacement program$1.5M/year for sidewalk ramp program

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM

SRTS in DSM

Proposed Funding for Sidewalks$3M/year for infill projects$675K/year for replacement programInfill sidewalks, esp. on school routes, is a high strategic priority for Council

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM

SRTS in DSMMODE SHARE EXERCISE

TakeawaysTiming of survey impacts modal choiceSurvey Monkey facilitated data collectionChange in school bell times impacts DMPSBus is much less common in DMPSPersonal vehicle is more common in DMPSDMPS walk home more often than to school

DES MOINES SCHOOLS OTHER IOWA SCHOOLSTo School From School To School From School

Walk 10.4% 15.5% 12.6% 11.0%Bike 0.6% 0.7% 3.7% 1.9%Bus 11.9% 14.3% 40.4% 55.2%Family Veh. 72.1% 62.7% 36.7% 28.3%Carpool 4.6% 5.8% 6.3% 2.7%Transit 0.1% 0.5% 0.2% 0.0%Other 0.3% 1.4% 0.7% 0.2%

SRTS in DSMROUTE TRACING EXERCISE

Data limitationsChildren at many school identified bus or driving routes.Instructions can be amended to limit this problemSome children/parents have difficulty identifying their home or route to/fromCoercion

Preliminary takeawaysUse data to modify existing walk routesUse data to prioritize sidewalk infill projectsCorrelation between walking culture & neighborhood schools is strongCorrelation between walking culture & socioeconomic conditions is weak

SRTS in DSM

Pilot ProjectSpring 2018

Encourage students to use new HAWK signal

ROUTE TRACING EXERCISE

SRTS in DSM

Legacy of development in unincorporated areas

Trust the locals They always know best

ROUTE TRACING EXERCISE

SRTS in DSM

Low density areas still present obvious walk patterns

Prioritize infill along established walk route

ROUTE TRACING EXERCISE

SRTS in DSMFUTURE EFFORTS

Comprehensive SRTS initiatives have been shown to be more effective at increasing physical activity and reducing injuries.

EducationEncouragementEngineering

EnforcementEvaluationEquity

The benefits of Safe Routes to School include:Increased walking and biking to schoolSafer studentsLower transportation costs for schools & familiesReduced student absences and tardinessReduced traffic congestionHealthier studentsImproved academic performanceClean air and fewer asthma attacks

SRTS in DSMQUESTIONS?

Jeff Wiggins, AICPCity of Des Moines

Transportation Plannerjpwiggins@dmgov.org

515-283-4059