An essential function of the Thurston Regional Planning Council is the implementation of the Thurston Regional Transportation Plan. Since 1993 that plan and TRPC members have had a keen interest in the role that trip reduction to and around schools plays in reaching plan goals for a transportation network that serves all modes of travel and functions safely and efficiently.
Goals:
- Build a generation of safe and healthy walkers, bicycle riders, and bus riders
- Encourage regular physical activity to promote health and readiness to learn
- Reinforce good traffic safety skills
Achieving these goals will:
- Reduce the numbers of students driven to school
- Relieve traffic around schools
- Promote safety
2008 – 2010 Demonstration Project
The demonstration project has two activities:
- Walk and Roll, a school based incentive program with the goal of demonstrating the most effective way to build and sustain a partnerships that will result in more students walking, cycling or taking the bus to school and
- Healthy KIds - Safe Streets Action Plan is the result of regional policy makers and stakeholder discussions to identify how to sustain and expand programs to additional schools and how to overcome identified barriers to more walking and cycling to school.
The Walk and Roll demonstration program is a grant supported partnership. Partners in the school based demonstration project included Intercity Transit – Youth Program, Olympia School District, Thurston Regional Planning Council, Safe Kids Thurston County, and City of Olympia.
By spring of 2010 the Walk and Roll program will be established in three elementary schools and one middle school.
Did You Know….By the end of the program’s first year 57% of students were walking or biking to school and only 17% arrived by car. At the beginning of the year 47% of students arrived by car and only 24% walked or cycled.
The Healthy Kids – Safe Streets Action Plan is the result of regional school and community stakeholder ideas and Walk and Roll demonstration project findings. The plan identifies strategies, programs and policies that address school, transportation and community health issues.
Action Plan Next Steps: The action plan will be reviewed by stakeholder groups including school districts and jurisdictions. Commitment by stakeholders will be sought in order to implement the strategies, programs and policies identified.
For information or to schedule a presentation contact Kathy McCormick, mccormk@trpc.org or call 360-956-7575.
