Palmetto Middle School, Williamston

Palmetto Middle School Safe Routes to School Action Plan January 2015

Prepared with assistance from the SC SRTS Resource Center

Palmetto Middle School – Williamston, South Carolina Safe Routes to School Action Plan

January 2015

Acknowledgements This report represents the work of the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Team at Palmetto Middle School in Williamston, South Carolina. In the fall of 2014, the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) selected Palmetto Middle School to receive planning assistance through the South Carolina Safe Routes to School Resource Center. With oversight and input from a team of staff and volunteers, Palmetto Middle School received technical assistance from transportation consultants in the development of this SRTS Action Plan. The plan can help Palmetto Middle School identify projects and programs to improve the safety of children walking and bicycling to school, and to encourage more families to do so. Members of the Palmetto Middle School SRTS Team Barry Knight, Principal, Palmetto Middle School Jennifer Couch, Assistant Principal, Palmetto Middle School Karen Ashley, P.E. Teacher, Palmetto Middle School LeAnn Sargent, Guidance Counselor, Palmetto Middle School Robyn Willis-Cole, Grandparent of Student, Palmetto Middle School Louanne Roullette, School Improvement Council, Palmetto Middle School Teresa Smith, PTA, Palmetto Middle School Robbie Binnicker, Assistant Superintendent, Anderson 1 School District Lisa Cassidy, Director of Planning and Development, Anderson 1 School District Tanya Richbourg, Coordinator of Family Services, Anderson 1 School District Benny Bridges, Transportation Supervisor, Anderson 1 School District Jason McCauley, Assistant Principal, Palmetto High School Jeremy Sargent, Palmetto High School School Resource Officer, Williamston Police Department Darlene Crawford, Palmetto Middle School Resource Officer, Williamston Police Department Mack Durham, Mayor, Town of Williamston Anne Thayer, District 9 Representative, South Carolina House of Representatives Caroline Alex, Executive Director, Main Street Williamston Judy Shelato, County Engineer, Anderson County Roads and Bridges Rusty Burns, County Administrator, Anderson County Tim Cartee, Roadway Management Supervisor, Anderson County Celia Myers, Senior Planner, Anderson County Rhonda Sloan, Planner, Anderson County Cindy Wilson, District 7 Council Member, Anderson County Council Blake Sanders, Senior Designer, Alta Planning Jack Cebe, Planner/Designer, Alta Planning Chris Bradberry, Running Coach, Palmetto High School Jackie McCall, Coordinator, Safe Kids Anderson County Jason Byrd, Assistant Traffic Engineer, SCDOT District 2 Randy Westmoreland, District 2 Maintenance, SCDOT Tony Taylor, Police Chief, Town of Williamston

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Tanya Anderson, Palmetto Middle School Resource Officer, Willamston Police Department Laura Long, Community Coordinator, Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) Nick Rebovich, District Traffic Engineer, SCDOT District 2 Sandy Hanebrink, Director, Touch the Future Sherry Barrett, Sustainable Communities Program Associate, Upstate Forever SCDOT Safe Routes to School Coordinator Rodney Oldham, CHES, CPT Technical Assistance Team Nicole Brown, Upstate School Outreach Coordinator John Dempsey, Toole Design Group Wendy Phelps, Toole Design Group

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INTRODUCTION & BACKGROUND Palmetto Middle School joins communities in South Carolina and across the country that have developed local Safe Routes to School (SRTS) programs. The federal SRTS program was established in 2005 under the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient, Transportation Equity Act (SAFETEA-LU), and later re-grouped with other bicycle and pedestrian programs under “Transportation Alternatives Program” with the passing of Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) in 2012. The core purpose of SRTS programs has always been the following:

• to enable and encourage children, including those with disabilities, to walk and bicycle to school;

• to make bicycling and walking to school a safer and more appealing transportation alternative, thereby encouraging a healthy and active lifestyle from an early age; and

• to facilitate the planning, development, and implementation of projects and activities that will improve safety and reduce traffic, fuel consumption, and air pollution in the vicinity of schools.

In South Carolina, funds from the federal program are administered through the South Carolina Department of Transportation. In keeping with best practices, the South Carolina SRTS program emphasizes a comprehensive approach to SRTS, being sure to address the “Five E’s": Engineering, Education, Enforcement, Encouragement, and Evaluation (see sidebar). In the fall of 2014, the South Carolina Department of Transportation selected Palmetto Middle School to receive planning assistance through the South Carolina SRTS Program. This SRTS Action Plan includes strategies from each of the Five E’s.

The Five E’s

Engineering strategies create safer environments for walking and bicycling to school through improvements to the infrastructure surrounding schools. These improvements focus on reducing motor vehicle speeds and conflicts with pedestrians and bicyclists, and establishing safer and fully accessible crossings, walkways, trails, and bikeways. Education programs target children, parents, caregivers and neighbors, teaching how to walk and bicycle safely and informing drivers on how to drive more safely around pedestrians and bicyclists. Education programs can also incorporate health and environment messages. Enforcement strategies increase the safety of children bicycling and walking to school by helping to change unsafe behaviors of drivers, as well as pedestrians and bicyclists. A community approach to enforcement involves students, parents or caregivers, school personnel, crossing guards, and law enforcement officers. Encouragement activities promote walking and bicycling to school to children, parents, and community members. Events such as Walk to School Day, contests such as a Frequent Walker/Bicyclist challenge, or on-going programs such as a Walking School Bus or Bicycle Train can promote and encourage walking and bicycling as a popular way to get to school. Evaluation is an important component of SRTS programs that can be incorporated into each of the other E’s. Collecting information before and after program activities or projects are implemented allow communities to track progress and outcomes, and provide information to guide program development. - Excerpted from “Safe Routes to School: A Transportation Legacy”, the report of the National Safe Routes to School Task Force

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TEAM VISION The Team vision is for Palmetto Middle School (and the surrounding neighborhoods) to be a place where: - More students are able to safely walk and bike to school. - Students and drivers understand and obey the rules of the road. - Pedestrian scale lighting improves visibility and enhances appearance and connects all three school

campuses. - It is inviting to walk. - The infrastructure for walking and biking is continuous and connects users to popular destinations. - Future trails connect nearby town centers and provide routes to school separate from vehicle

traffic. This SRTS Action Plan outlines the school’s intentions for making walking to and from school safer and more sustainable for students and the community. Through the SRTS program and efforts, the Palmetto Middle School SRTS Team hopes to reach a rate of 15% of students walking or biking to school at least two days a week by the 2016-2017 school year. This goal is attainable, as approximately 8% of the students currently walk and bike regularly1, and approximately 35% of the students live within a mile of the school campus2. SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL PLANNING PROCESS The Palmetto Middle School SRTS Team met four times during the fall of 2014. The following table summarizes specific meeting content and outcomes. Date Content & Outcomes September 8th

• Introduced the federal SRTS program, including the comprehensive, “Five E’s” approach to SRTS planning.

• Discussed the South Carolina SRTS program, planning process, and outcomes. • Discussed concerns about walking and bicycling conditions in the school vicinity. • Reviewed parent survey data and student travel tally results.

October 14th

• Discussed a vision for the Action Plan. • The consultant team observed student arrival and dismissal. • Looked at maps of school and surrounding neighborhoods to identify popular

routes and barriers to walking and biking to school. • Discussed challenges for walking and biking to school.

October 16th

• Team confirmed vision. • Consultants presented an overview of engineering treatments for improving

walking and bicycling conditions near schools. November 20th

• Discussed the draft plan. • Discussed next steps for funding and implementing the action plan.

1 Figure taken from school profile, completed September 2012. 2 Figure estimated from school attendance boundary/student addresses map.

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ASSESSMENT OF EXISTING CONDITIONS

Palmetto Middle School and Town of Williamston Overview

Palmetto Middle School is located in the Town of Williamston, South Carolina. The school is situated about a mile north of Williamston’s historic downtown. A section of Main Street downtown has pedestrian-friendly curb extensions, several marked crosswalks with advanced signage, and multiple destinations within walking distance. Otherwise, Williamston and the surrounding area are rural in nature. Few roads have sidewalks or other pedestrian accommodations.

Palmetto Middle School is the only middle school serving the students of Williamston and the nearby communities of Pelzer and West Pelzer. Palmetto Elementary School and Palmetto High School are both located in the same vicinity as the middle school. Many families have children enrolled in more than one school, which contributes to high traffic volumes during arrival and dismissal times.

A small percentage of students live within one quarter mile and one-half mile of Palmetto Middle School. The number of students within a one-mile radius is only 55 students. While there are 334 students within the two-mile radius, most of the students live further than two miles away from school. Of the students within walking distance, approximately 30 students walk or bike to school regularly. Although 48% of students live within two miles of school “as the crow flies,” a limited road network makes the actual distance much greater. In addition, the lack of pedestrian infrastructure and motor vehicle traffic speeds make many parents hesitant to allow their students to walk or bike to school.

The SRTS program at Palmetto Middle School is a key component in the school’s efforts to improve the health of its students. Bicycle safety lessons are part of the physical education curriculum for all students, and the physical education teacher is interested in increasing student bicycling trips both to school and for recreation. Emphasis on healthy eating habits and an active lifestyle is present across school subjects for all students.

Dark pink dots on the map represent students attending Palmetto Middle School during the 2013-2014 school year. The orange circle represents a one mile radius from the school.

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Crash Data Summary South Carolina Department of Public Safety provided the Palmetto Middle School SRTS Team with pedestrian and bicycle crash data collected and recorded from 2008-2014. The crash data analysis included collisions involving pedestrian and bicyclists under the age of 20 and within the approximate two-mile radius of Palmetto Middle School in Anderson and Greenville Counties. During this time period, 77 crashes occurred in Anderson County and 190 crashes occurred in Greenville County; however, only a total of seven crashes were located within the approximate two-mile radius. There were no bicycle or pedestrian crashes along current or potential walking and biking routes; however, three crashes involved children under the age of 10. A brief summary of the findings is provided below.

Crashes Involving a Pedestrian or Bicyclist Less than 20 Years of Age within an Approximate Two-Mile Radius of Palmetto Middle School

Crash Date/Time Crash Location Crash Description March 12, 2008 Wednesday 9:45 AM

Beaver Dam Road near Greenville Drive/Route 20 (approximately 2 miles from school)

The crash involved a 17 year old bicyclist and motor vehicle. The contributing factor to the crash was the bicyclist performing an improper left turn. The bicyclist sustained non-incapacitating injuries.

August 21, 2008 Thursday 3:10 PM

Depot Street near Greenville Drive/Route 20 (approximately 1¼ miles from school)

The crash involved a 15 year old bicyclist and motor vehicle. The contributing factor to the crash was the bicyclist making an improper left turn. The bicyclist sustained non-incapacitating injuries.

October 19, 2008 Sunday 1:54 PM

Caper Street near Conner Street (approximately 1¾ miles from school)

The crash involved an 8 year old child on a bicycle and motor vehicle. The contributing factor to the crash was the bicyclist traveling too fast under the conditions at the time of the crash. The child sustained non-incapacitating injuries.

November 6, 2008 Thursday 4:45 PM

Main Street near Mill Street (approximately ¾ miles from school)

The crash involved a 7 year old child and motor vehicle. The contributing factor to the crash was the child performing an improper crossing or darting movement. The child sustained non-incapacitating injuries.

July 27, 2009 Monday 1:20 PM

Smythe Street near Green Street (approximately 1½ miles from school)

The crash involved a 5 year old child and motor vehicle. The contributing factor to the crash was the child performing an improper crossing or darting movement. The child sustained non-incapacitating injuries.

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Crash Date/Time Crash Location Crash Description October 25, 2010 Monday 4:25 PM

Greenville Drive/Route 20 near Mattison Street (approximately ¾ miles from school)

The crash involved a 13 year old pedestrian and motor vehicle. The contributing factor to the crash was the pedestrian entering a crossing location and the motorist failed to yield right of way. The pedestrian sustained non-incapacitating injuries.

October 25, 2010 Monday 4:25 PM

Greenville Drive/Route 20 near Mattison Street (approximately ¾ miles from school)

The crash involved a 17 year old pedestrian and motor vehicle. The contributing factor to the crash was the pedestrian entering a crossing location and the motorist failed to yield right of way. The pedestrian sustained non-incapacitating injuries.

Summary of Findings

• Out of 267 crashes reported from 2008-2014 in Anderson and Greenville Counties, only seven have involved bicyclists or pedestrians under the age of 20 within two-miles of Palmetto Middle School.

• In Anderson County, 77 collisions occurred with seven crashes taking place within the approximate two-mile radius of Palmetto Middle School, and none occurring near Palmetto Middle School. In Greenville County, 190 crashes occurred without any crashes happening near Palmetto Middle School.

• Based on the crash data received, increased pedestrian, bicycle, and driver safety education is recommended for the community. Bicyclists need to know the proper signaling and turning procedures. Drivers must be reminded to share the road with other users and yield for bicyclists and pedestrians. Pedestrians should be taught to cross at marked crosswalks, but this lesson loses its impact if there are not enough marked crosswalks. Crosswalk marking locations should be convenient, accessible and follow the desired pedestrian route. It is important that both drivers and pedestrians clearly see the marked crosswalk and act accordingly.

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About Palmetto Middle School At the first and second SRTS meetings, Team members discussed demographics, existing student travel patterns, policies and practices, and the Team’s concerns related to walking and bicycling to school. The tables and lists below provide a summary of those discussions. Enrollment

Grade 6 7 8 Total # Students Enrolled 256 287 276 819

Demographics

Demographic Count Percentage of student body Free/Reduced Lunch 507 63%

Distance From School Students living within 1/4 mile of school 1 < 1% Students living within 1/2 mile of school 8 1% Students living within 1 mile of school 55 7% Students living within 2 miles of school 335 41% Counts are cumulative and are based on GIS analysis of student addresses from 2014 enrollment. Existing Student Travel Patterns

Travel Mode Walk Bike

School Bus

Family Vehicle Carpool

Public Transit Other

Number of Students 32 0 194 494 81 0 8

Percentage of Student Body

4% 0% 24% 61% 10% 0% 1%

Counts are based on Student Travel Tally Report from spring 2014; numbers may vary due to rounding. Existing Walking Routes

• North/West – There is no existing pedestrian infrastructure to the north or west of the school campus.

• East – There is an existing sidewalk on the north side of Roberts Boulevard from the school area to Greenville Drive/Route 20. A number of students live within walking distance in the neighborhood to the east of Greenville Drive/Route 20, but the sidewalk does not continue beyond this intersection.

• South – There are crosswalks and pedestrian countdown signals at the intersection of Hamilton Street and Middleton Boulevard. Students can travel on the sidewalk on the west side of Hamilton Street as far as Greenville Drive/Route 20. Some students have been observed traveling south on Minor Road toward C. Dale Martin Recreation Complex although there are no existing pedestrian facilities.

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Existing Crossing Guard Locations

• The Palmetto High School Resource Officer directs traffic and helps students cross Hamilton Street in front of Palmetto Middle School during arrival and dismissal procedures.

School Policies and Practices Current school or school district policies that may impact student travel to school are summarized below. School District Busing Policy

• Students who live within one and one-half miles of their school are not provided busing unless the area is deemed to have hazardous walking conditions.

Parent Communication

• Correspondence goes out to parents via handouts sent home with students on an as-needed basis, generally weekly. The school also uses an automated phone recording system.

• The Parent Teacher Student Organization (PTSO) meets monthly. Concerns identified by SRTS Team: As part of the planning process, the Team discussed issues that deter parents from allowing their children to walk or bike to school.

• Distance from school is the most common barrier to walking and biking. • Many parents are concerned about their child’s personal safety while walking or biking to

school. Survey responses listed distracted drivers and child predators as possible threats to children’s safety.

• There are limited sidewalks and marked pedestrian crossings near the school and in the surrounding community.

• During times of arrival and dismissal, a School Resource Officer is on duty to direct traffic and perform crossing guard duties. The relatively high volume of vehicular traffic prohibits vehicles from traveling at high speeds during these times. Parents are concerned about motorists ignoring the posted speed limits on Hamilton Street outside of arrival and dismissal times. There is adequate signage notifying drivers of the school zone. Consistent speed enforcement was suggested to improve driver compliance.

• The school has repeatedly communicated with parents encouraging them to use the designated drop-off loop behind the school, but during dismissal, parents park along the street and in the grass to collect their children. Vehicles parked on the grass during arrival and dismissal procedures prohibit students from walking in this location, and create the potential for many vehicle/pedestrian conflicts. These potential conflicts have raised concerns about liability and the desire for an increase in parent loop storage capacity.

The Palmetto Middle School SRTS Team met four times to discuss issues, opportunities and possible solutions for improving walking routes to school.

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• Students have been seen walking along Minor Road to access the baseball fields and downtown Williamston. The route has no existing pedestrian infrastructure, very narrow shoulders and hills that limit visibility.

• In general, sidewalk segments do feature pedestrian scale lighting that is essential to an attractive walking environment. In addition to providing visibility at night time, the group expressed the desire to use pedestrian scale lighting to establish a campus-like feel for Palmetto Middle School.

• In general, existing signage on the school property is not clearly visible and does not meet appropriate MUTCD requirements. The purpose of updating signage and traffic control devices is to promote safety and efficiency by providing for orderly movement of all road users.

Parent Survey Summary The top five issues cited by parents who do not currently allow their children to walk or bicycle to school are:

1. Distance 2. Speed of traffic along route 3. Volume of traffic along route 4. Violence or crime 5. Weather or climate

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SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL RECOMMENDATIONS The Palmetto Middle School SRTS Action Plan includes strategies from each of the “Five E's”: Engineering, Education, Encouragement, Enforcement, and Evaluation. The following section identifies each strategy developed by the Team. Engineering SRTS engineering strategies create safer environments for walking and bicycling to school through improvements to the infrastructure surrounding schools. These improvements focus on reducing motor vehicle speeds and conflicts with pedestrians and bicyclists, and establishing safer and accessible crossings, walkways, trails, and bikeways. The Engineering Recommendations Table provides a summary of the engineering strategies recommended for Palmetto Middle School. In general, the projects recommended increase in cost and complexity from signs and markings upwards to sidewalk or path construction. Recommendations are identified as high-, medium-, or lower-priority based on these generalizations. However, site, soil, materials, right-of-way acquisition, and environmental regulations also influence the cost and complexity of any given project. Accordingly, actual timeframes may vary depending on the lead agency, design, and construction process for each recommendation. The following immediate, high-, medium-, and lower-priority timeframes serve as an approximate guide for anticipated project completion, but actual timeframes may vary:

Immediate term Within the 2014-2015 school year

Short term Within 2 years Medium term Within 5 years Long term More than 5 years

These recommendations are for planning purposes only and require further engineering analysis, design, and/or public input before implementation and should be in full compliance with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways (MUTCD), 2009 edition and other applicable federal, state and local guidelines, standards and policies. A description of these typical SRTS engineering treatments can be found in Appendix B: Glossary of SRTS Engineering Treatments. The Engineering Recommendations Map indicates the location of each recommendation site in relation to the school. The following summary table describes each location and details the components of each recommendation.

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Considerations for Design, Project Selection, and Funding

• All engineering recommendations in this plan are considered “planning level” and require further engineering analysis, design, and/or public input before implementation.

• The engineering treatments shown are based on national best practice design techniques; however, some treatments are not widely used by SCDOT and may necessitate additional review. The process for implementation of each recommendation will vary depending on the lead agency for construction (e.g. the local municipality, county, or SCDOT).

• Recommended changes to existing traffic patterns will require a study to evaluate the potential impact that the recommendation could have on existing traffic conditions. This study must meet the standards and guidelines of SCDOT.

• Drainage, existing utilities, and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance will need to be evaluated for all recommendations at the time of design. ADA guidelines recommend particular design features to accommodate persons with disabilities. ADA design considerations for curb ramps, sidewalks and paths include appropriate slopes, landing areas, surface conditions, and use of detectable warning materials for visually impaired pedestrians, among other design features.

• Right-of-way was not evaluated as a part of this project. Recommendations assume that sufficient right-of-way exists or that a method to gain needed right-of-way will be identified as the project progresses.

• SCDOT will not be responsible for electric usage or maintenance expenses associated with lighting installation. An agreement would be needed to assign the responsibility of maintenance and electric cost.

• For all recommendations, final approval will require an engineering review of the specific site.

More information on the types of projects eligible for SRTS funding is available through SCDOT at http://scsaferoutes.org/about/funding.

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Palmetto Middle School SRTS Engineering Recommendations Map

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Palmetto Middle School SRTS Engineering Recommendations The following table provides a summary of the engineering strategies recommended for Palmetto Middle School. These recommendations were developed by the South Carolina SRTS Resource Center based on input received from the Palmetto Middle School SRTS Team. All proposed improvements have been prioritized at each site by the Palmetto Middle School SRTS Team (Team Priority). The ranking factors shown indicate the key issues that were used to determine the Team Priority. Segment Improvements Map Key Location/Issue Recommendations* Team

Priority Ranking Factor Timeframe

A Hamilton Street Hamilton Street is one lane in each direction to the north and south of the school campus, but widens considerably and provides direct access to the middle and high schools. On the segment between the school campuses, Hamilton Street has sidewalks on both sides of the street, but is difficult to cross due to the street width and speed of vehicles.

Install ‘DO NOT ENTER’ (R5-1) signs at both school driveway curb cuts. At the north driveway curb cut, include ‘7:30 to 8:00 AM/2:30 to 3:00 PM’ and ‘EXCEPT BUSES’ plaques. Install ‘STOP’ (R1-1) signs at all driveway exits.

High High Medium

Safety Existing walking route Low hanging fruit (signage, paint)**

Immediate term Short term Medium term

Add high visibility (ladder style) crosswalk markings on the sidewalk across driveway entrances to alert drivers that they are crossing the pedestrian zone. Consider installing pedestrian scale lighting to help identify the school campus and improve visibility after dark.

* These recommendations are for planning purposes only and may require further engineering analysis, design, or public input before implementation. ** Low-hanging fruit recommendations are relatively easy to implement. These projects are less expensive (under $2,000), generally do not need extensive design, and will not require augmentations to the existing grade or drainage of the project site. Projects will still need to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and will need to address local design and installation standards. 15

Map Key Location/Issue Recommendations* Team


The road has a width of 64 feet and was observed to carry a low volume of vehicles with relatively high speeds outside of peak drop-off and pick-up times. In general, existing signage does not meet MUTCD guidance.

Consider narrowing the travel lanes with pavement markings in the near term and a planted buffer strip between the sidewalk and travel lanes in the future. A more thorough traffic study focused on adding bike facilities, implementing a road diet and complete streets components, which would create a more attractive walking environment.

Medium Medium

Long term Long term Consider reconstructing driveway entrances to

maintain sidewalk slope and grade to prioritize pedestrians and improve vehicular yielding.




B Middleton Boulevard Located along the southern edge of the middle school property, Middleton Boulevard is a route for all transportation modes. There is an existing sidewalk on the north side of the street, and the only pedestrian crossing is at the intersection with N Hamilton St. Segments of existing sidewalks are often covered with debris or leaf litter creating a barrier for users. The lack of a sidewalk on the south side also hinders pedestrian access to existing pedestrian infrastructure.

Perform routine maintenance on the existing sidewalk on the north side of the street to keep it clear of debris.

High Medium Medium Medium

Safety Existing walking route Low hanging fruit (maintenance)**

Immediate term Medium term Medium term Medium term

Construct at grade sidewalk or sidepath with a minimum 5 foot grass buffer on the south side of Middleton Boulevard between N Hamilton Street and Minor Street to provide an improved walking and bicycling route for students that live in nearby apartments. Construct at grade sidewalk or sidepath with a minimum 5 foot grass buffer on the north side of Middleton Boulevard between State Road 587 and Minor Street to provide access to the proposed crosswalk at Minor Street (Map Key 4). Consider installing pedestrian scale lighting along the existing sidewalk to help identify the school campus and improve visibility after dark.


Map Key

Location/Issue Recommendations* Team Priority

Ranking Factor Timeframe

C State Road 587 State Road 587 provides access to the pick-up and drop-off loop on the west side of the Palmetto Middle School building. State Road 587 currently has no pedestrian facilities, although students have been observed walking along the road after school. Students who currently use this roadway segment as a walking route frequently cross drop-off and pick-up traffic on the school campus and at both driveway locations.

Construct curb and sidewalk along the driveway from walkways adjacent to school building to State Road 587, creating pedestrian pathways around the drop-off loop.

Medium High High Low

Safety Existing walking route

Medium term Medium term Short term Long term

Construct at grade sidewalk or sidepath with a minimum 5 foot buffer along the east side of State Route 587 along the perimeter of the middle school campus. In this location a buffer greater than 5 feet is recommended to discourage vehicles from driving and parking on the sidewalk. Add high visibility crosswalk markings at the drop-off loop entrance and exit. Consider changing curb radii at drop-off loop entrance and exit and reconstructing driveways to maintain the line of the sidewalk at grade.


Map Key



D Major Road Major Road forms the northern boundary of the middle school property. It connects Hamilton Street to State Road 587 and Minor Road. Parking is prohibited on the north side of the street, but parents park in the grass on the south side of the street during afternoon dismissal. There are no existing pedestrian facilities, and the vehicles parked during arrival and dismissal procedures prohibit students from walking in this location.

Install sidewalk or sidepath on the south side of the road to connect the existing sidewalk on Hamilton Street with the proposed sidewalk on State Road 587.

Medium Medium


Medium term Long term

Consider installing pedestrian scale lighting along the new sidewalk segment to help identify the school campus and improve visibility after dark.


Map Key



E Minor Street Minor Street is a known walking route and provides access to multiple destinations including the middle school campus, C. Dale Martin Recreation Complex and the Main Street corridor in Williamston. Relatively high vehicle speeds, very narrow shoulders and limited sight lines present challenging walking conditions for pedestrians.

Install a sidewalk or sidepath with a minimum 5 foot grass buffer on the eastside of Minor Street from Middleton Boulevard to at least C. Dale Martin Recreation Complex on Austin Street. Consider connecting all the way south to the Williamston Main Street corridor. The grass buffer increases pedestrian comfort and safety.

High Medium


Long term Long Term

Consider installing pedestrian scale lighting along the sidewalk or sidepath to improve visibility after dark.


Map Key



F N Hamilton Street N Hamilton Street provides direct access between the school campuses and central Williamston. There is an existing sidewalk on the east side of the street. The proposed sidewalk segment would connect missing gaps in the sidewalk network and provide sidewalk infrastructure to the neighborhood on the west side of N Hamilton Street.

Construct sidewalk along the west side of the street as development occurs.

Low Connectivity

Long term


Spot Improvements

Map Key



1 Mid-block crossing on Hamilton Street During arrival and dismissal procedures, vehicles parking too close to the crosswalk interfere with visibility for approaching drivers and pedestrians trying to cross the street. Temporary safety cones and signs currently delineate no parking, and the pick-up and drop-off zones in front of the middle school. The School Resource Officer directs traffic and helps students cross the street at the existing mid-block crosswalk.

Construct curb extensions at the mid-block crossing to shorten the crossing distance, prevent parking too close to the crossing and improve visibility.

High Medium Medium

Safety Campus beautification

Short term Medium term Medium term

Consider conducting a traffic analysis to determine whether a median refuge island would be appropriate at this location.

Consider additional improvements such as low- lying vegetation and pedestrian scale lighting.




2 Intersection of Hamilton Street/Middleton Boulevard/ Roberts Boulevard This intersection at the southeast corner of the school site connects the existing sidewalks on Hamilton Street, Middleton Boulevard and Roberts Boulevard. The signalized intersection has push button pedestrian countdown signals, but currently lacks curb ramps that meet ADA guidelines, curb and sidewalk on two corners and high visibility crosswalk pavement markings. An estimated 30 students cross this intersection in their walking route and several more may if upgrades were made.

Add high-visibility (ladder style) crosswalk markings on all four legs of the intersection.

High High Medium

Safety Existing walking route Heavy traffic volumes, particularly during arrival & dismissal Low-hanging fruit (high visibility crosswalk)**

Immediate term Medium term Medium term Medium term

Install ADA-compliant curb ramps on all four corners.

Consider adding pedestrian scale lighting at the intersection to improve visibility and mark the transition to the combined school campuses.

Conduct a traffic study at this intersection to evaluate the potential of implementing right turn restrictions during the times of arrival/dismissal (7:00-9:00 AM and 2:00-4:00 PM) and the possibility of programming the existing countdown signals with an exclusive pedestrian phase.

Medium


Map Key



3 Intersection of N/S Hamilton Street and Greenville Drive/Route 20 Currently there is no pedestrian connection between the existing sidewalks on N Hamilton Street and Pelzer Avenue. The lack of sidewalks create gaps in the existing sidewalk network. Filling this gap would provide a complete connection to Main Street destinations.

Construct curb and sidewalk to connect the end of the existing Pelzer Avenue sidewalk to the N Hamilton Street/Greenville Drive intersection and existing N Hamilton Street sidewalk.

Medium Medium

Safety Connectivity

Medium term Medium term

Add high visibility crosswalk markings and a pedestrian signal to aid pedestrians crossing N Hamilton Street at the Route 20 intersection.

4 State Road 587 at Middleton Boulevard Several existing apartment complexes are located on the south side of Middleton Boulevard. Students who reside on the south side of Middleton Boulevard do not have a direct way to access the school grounds.

Consider installing a high visibility pedestrian crosswalk across Middleton Boulevard on the east side of the stop controlled intersection with Minor Road.

High Medium


Medium term Medium term

Consider installing pedestrian scale lighting to improve visibility at the crossing after dark.


Map Key



5 Palmetto Elementary School frontage on Roberts Boulevard There is an existing sidewalk with a grass buffer on the north side of Roberts Boulevard, but there is no curb. Parents park on the sidewalk to pick-up their children after school, creating safety concerns for students walking on the sidewalk. The team also noticed deteriorating sidewalk, standing water, and a lack of pedestrian scale lighting along the route.

Consider constructing curb and reconstructing existing driveway aprons to maintain sidewalk slope and grade and improve vehicular yielding. Note: If reconstruction is not feasible, sidewalk facilities crossing curb cuts through existing driveways can be upgraded with detectable warning pads and high visibility crosswalk pavement markings (short term).

Medium Medium Medium

Safety Existing walking route Low hanging fruit (high visibility crosswalk)**

Long term Short term Medium term

Fix deteriorating sidewalk and drainage issues. Consider installing pedestrian scale lighting along the existing sidewalk to help identify the school campus and improve visibility after dark.




6 Intersection of Roberts Boulevard and Greenville Drive/Route 20 A known walking route and existing sidewalk terminate on Roberts Boulevard at the intersection of Greenville Drive/Route 20. The end of pedestrian facilities prohibits students who live to the east of Greenville Drive/Route 20 to walk to school on a connected facility. A future Walmart site is proposed on Greenville Drive/Route 20 just northwest of the intersection with Roberts Boulevard and the existing library site. The opportunity to incorporate future sidewalk connections, in addition to crossing enhancements across Greenville Drive/Route 20 should be considered.

Consider installing a traffic signal at the intersection of Roberts Boulevard/Greenville Drive/Route 20/Tripp Street. A traffic study has been conducted and based on current MUTCD warrants, signalization is not warranted. As development continues, it is recommended to conduct further investigation and traffic studies be conducted. The traffic analysis could also support future pedestrian connections from Roberts Boulevard to Tripp Street, increasing connectivity across Greenville Drive/Route 20.

Medium Medium

Safety Existing walking route Connectivity

Long term Long term Consider installing a sidewalk on the west side

of Greenville Drive/Route 20 from Roberts Boulevard to the Lander Memorial Library.


Additional Considerations The long term redevelopment and planning of Palmetto Middle School and the surrounding Williamston community should consider spot and corridor improvements that prioritize the safety of students walking to and from school. Additional pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure should be considered and planned for at intersections and corridors that may be perceived as barriers to safety and connectivity throughout the community. The additional considerations are ranked as long term projects or given a low priority based on distance from Palmetto Middle School and existing conditions in regards to pedestrian and bicycling safety. As an improved walking and bicycling network expands, these locations and recommendations should be considered for future implementation. The table below provides a summary of projects for additional engineering and planning recommendations. Projects Recommendations* Rails-to-Trails shared use path

project

A future shared use path could be developed along an abandoned railroad corridor to the west of the school site. This trail would provide an off-street connection between the communities of Williamston, Pelzer and West Pelzer. Developing additional shared-use paths that connect to this future path would provide active transit options for Williamston to West Pelzer and also from Williamston to Pelzer. These shared-use path options would align with the long term goals of the community to establish an interconnected pedestrian and bicycle network.

Town of Williamston Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan

The forthcoming bicycle and pedestrian master plan can provide the framework for a future multi-modal transportation network. Improvements and recommendations provided in this Action Plan align with the future vision for the Town of Williamston.


Projects Recommendations* Palmetto Middle School Enhancements

A planned upgrade for Palmetto Middle School campus is expected within the next several years. The facility upgrade could consider pedestrian and bicycle network connectivity improvements for the high school, middle school, elementary school campuses.


Road Information Table

Road/Road Segment Name Responsible Agency1 AADT2,3 Functional Classification4

Speed limit5 Width5 Lanes5 (in each direction)

Depot Road SCDOT N/A Local 40 mph 24’ 1 Greenville Drive/ SC Route 20

SCDOT 10,000 Minor Arterial 25 mph Downtown/ 35 mph

24’ 1

North Hamilton Street SCDOT 2,900 Collector 25 mph School Zone/ 35 mph

64’ 1, CTL

Major Road SCDOT N/A Local None posted 40’ 1, CTL Middleton Boulevard SCDOT 1,050 Local 35 mph 28’ 1

Minor Road SCDOT/ Town of Williamston

1,150 Local 35 mph 40’ 24’

1, CTL

State Road 587 SCDOT N/A Local None posted 24’ 1 Roberts Boulevard/577 SCDOT N/A Local 25 mph 28’ 1 Pelzer Avenue Town of Williamston N/A Local None posted 20’ 1 Data Sources

1. Responsible agency determined from http://propertyviewer.andersoncountysc.org/FlexPropertyViewer/PublicViewer.html# or SCDOT Street Finder http://206.74.144.9/streetfinder/Streetnames.htm

2. SCDOT AADT counted in 2013; http://scdot.maps.arcgis.com/apps/OnePane/basicviewer/index.html?appid=d3a7078374ac4f28a201b7ce3b03eb8c

3. N/A = No SCDOT traffic count 4. The roadway classifications are assumptions based on the SCDOT Anderson County Functional Classification Map 1999

http://info.scdot.org/sites/GIS/GISMapdl/Anderson_County.pdf. 5. Data collected in the field, October 2014.


The following sections include SRTS Education, Encouragement, Enforcement, and Evaluation strategies of interest to Palmetto Middle School. It will be important for the SRTS Team to identify a champion to take responsibility for each strategy in order for them to be successfully implemented. Space in the tables below is reserved for the SRTS Team to enter the names of the champions identified to lead each initiative. Education Education strategies help children develop safety skills they can apply on the way to school and in other contexts throughout their lifetimes. Education strategies also aim to make parents and community members aware of the goals of the SRTS program and the impacts of their behavior on safety conditions around the school. Strategy Timeframe Champion(s) Implement DHEC's Breathe Better Anti-Idling Campaign. Give presentations at PTA and faculty meetings explaining the benefits of reducing emissions around the school zone. Coordinate environmental education lessons about active transportation in science classes. http://www.scdhec.gov/HomeAndEnvironment/K12SchoolsStudentsTeachers/B2BreatheBetterProgram/OverviewB2/ You can also learn which other schools are participating in Anderson County, and see their program results, here: http://www.scdhec.gov/HomeAndEnvironment/K12SchoolsStudentsTeachers/B2BreatheBetterProgram/ParticipatingSchools/andersoncounty/

Short Term Administration

Organize educational opportunities for PMS students. Plan an assembly in conjunction with student orientation at which the School Resource Officer can speak to students about safety topics. Students are also interested in hearing from elected officials about bicycle and pedestrian issues.


Implement hands-on bicycle safety practice in PE classes. Some bicycle safety education has already occurred at Palmetto Middle School via guest speakers. Palmetto Middle School should continue these existing efforts, but also seek opportunities to procure a fleet of bicycles and helmets for on-going skills practice. Choose an existing bike curriculum using this SRTS curricula guides inventory: http://saferoutespartnership.org/sites/default/files/pdf/Curr_Guide_2011_lo_0.pdf; or the NHTSA Bikeology curriculum geared towards middle school students: http://walkbiketoschool.org/sites/default/files/bikeology-curriculum-part-1-and-2.pdf Here’s an article about how a Middle School in Wisconsin implemented bike safety at school: http://saferoutesinfo.org/about-us/newsroom/our-newsletter/article/success-story-omro-middle-school

Medium Term PE Teachers

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Strategy Timeframe Champion(s) Use PMS students as educators. Students can create educational materials and attend events at Palmetto Elementary to hand out flyers and brochures to parents. Middle school students may also be interested in teaching pedestrian safety lesson plans to the elementary students through a mentoring/community service effort. Elementary pedestrian safety lesson plans can be found at: http://scsaferoutes.org/resources/education

Medium Term Guidance

Coordinate parent education workshops. Topics may include car driver and passenger safety (texting, seat belts, etc.), anti-idling policies, bicycle safety and pedestrian safety. Allow the students to participate by creating and giving portions of the presentations.


Create a PR campaign to raise awareness throughout the Williamston community. Coordinate with other planning efforts to include elements of this Action Plan within the new bicycle and pedestrian plan and existing comprehensive plan. Develop handouts to include Action Plan information and safety tips to pass out at school sporting events.

Medium / Long Term

Administration

Use social media to create an interactive platform for students. Coordinate with the cross country coach to create maps of possible walking and biking routes and post these maps on social media sites. In addition, provide links to smart phone apps that help track physical activity. Students are also interested in creating skits about safety topics; these videos can be played on the school news programming as well as uploaded to social media sites.

Medium / Long Term

Administration

Partner with the Palmetto High School driver education class. Make sure the instructor is covering rules and responsibilities of drivers regarding pedestrians, bicyclists and school zones. Pedestrian and Bicycle Safer Journey resources that address this issues can be found at these links: http://www.pedbikeinfo.org/pedsaferjourney/ http://www.pedbikeinfo.org/bicyclesaferjourney/ or utilize the Palmetto Cycling Coalition’s “Safe Streets Save Lives” videos and curriculum to highlight specific SC laws: http://safestreetssavelives.org/

Short Term Driver’s Ed Instructor

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Encouragement Encouragement strategies are aimed at increasing the number of families who walk and bike to school. Potential benefits include healthier, more active children, reduced air pollution, less traffic congestion, and improved conditions for pedestrians and bicyclists. Strategy Timeframe Champion(s) Establish a "park and walk" location and walking school buses for families who live too far from school to be able to park their cars and walk a safe route to school. Bus riders may also participate by arranging for students to be dropped off at this location. Options may include the Burger King on Roberts Boulevard, the SunTrust Bank at the intersection of Main Street and Hamilton , the Lander Memorial Regional Library on Route 20 (pending recommended engineering improvements), the Martin Recreation Complex (pending recommended engineering improvements), or Mineral Spring Park (pending recommended engineering improvements). Here’s an example of how Park and Walk locations increased the number of students who walk to school at a Middle School in the Lowcountry: http://scsaferoutes.org/Lowcountry%20Success%20Story%202013

Long Term PE Teacher

Implement afterschool walking clubs. Incentivize participation with free passes to school events. Create a "Walking Buddies" program. This would pair high school, middle school and elementary school students to walk together. This is an opportunity for social and academic mentoring, as well as increasing safety and providing physical activity opportunities.

Short / Medium Term

Guidance

Plan community-wide events. Coordinate all three Palmetto school campuses to participate together for events such as International Walk to School Day, South Carolina Walk to School Day and National Bike to School Day. Utilize established “park and walk” locations (see above).

Long Term Administration

Increase interest in bicycling. Strategies may include establishing an out-of-school time bicycle safety training program and work with Grady's Great Outdoors to teach classes, form a school district-wide cycling team and require this training program as a pre-requisite to participating, and participate with events such as the Tour de LaFrance bike ride. Look into formalizing cycling as an official high school competitive sport.

Medium / Long Term Administration

Implement a staggered arrival or dismissal process to allow walkers and bikers to avoid moving traffic by leaving campus first or arriving to campus last.

Long Term Administration

Request that the Career and Technology Center students build bike racks for the campus. Increase awareness of their placement by planning ribbon-cutting events; and hold contests to decorate the bike rack in order to encourage continued use of the rack.

Short Term ACTC Staff

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Strategy Timeframe Champion(s) Establish a carpool program for families who live too far away to walk and bike. Carpool programs help to reduce the volume of traffic on the roads and can help to create a safer environment for walking and bicycling. Maps of driving routes and a list of interested families can be distributed to allow for the families to coordinate the car pools themselves. Encourage staff and faculty to participate and lead by example. Plan a "Try It Day" each semester to get people to experiment with carpooling. You may consider advertising parents to use the app KangaDo to coordinate carpool trips: http://www.kangadoapp.com/

Short Term Administration and Guidance

Participate in physical activity fundraising events for charities such as Relay for Life, Walk for a Cure, Diabetes Awareness Walks, etc. These types of events can help promote walking and call attention to infrastructure issues.


Have students conduct a SRTS Scavenger Hunt. Use this activity to initiate discussion about safety and active transportation. Have class competitions to increase participation. Encourage social media interaction by having students post pictures on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc. Here’s a sample scavenger hunt for your reference: http://scsaferoutes.org/files/scsr/public/content/file/936/upload/297.pdf

Medium / Long Term Guidance

Start a social media campaign for students to document their travel modes on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram with pictures. Create a unique #hashtag for PMS students to tag their posts (examples: #PMSwalk2school, #MustangsWalk, etc.).

Medium / Long Term Guidance

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Enforcement Enforcement strategies improve the safety of children bicycling and walking to school by helping to change unsafe behaviors of drivers, as well as pedestrians and bicyclists. SRTS enforcement is a community effort that involves students, parents, school administration, and others in addition to law enforcement. Strategy Timeframe Champion(s) Increase police presence during arrival and dismissal. Provide speed enforcement in the school zone and enforce school drop-off/pick-up policies (such as no parking on the sides of the roads, prohibit using the school district parking lot as a cut-through, etc.).

Short Term Police Chief

Ensure that all school signage is MUTCD compliant and that all curb-cuts and sidewalks are ADA compliant. Work with the School District, the Town of Williamston, Anderson County and SCDOT to create a system to address any non-compliance issues.

Short Term SRTS Committee

Provide educational materials to parents including pedestrian laws and responsibilities, motor vehicle laws and responsibilities, and bicycle laws and responsibilities. Periodic reminders can be provided throughout the school year by posting tag lines on the school marquee and utilizing the school’s automated call/text service. http://scsaferoutes.org/files/scsr/public/content/file/74/upload/74.pdf

Short Term Guidance

Install "Buckle Up - It's the Law" signs at all campus exit points. This may help remind students, parents and staff that seat belt usage is an enforceable law.

Short Term School District

Discuss and address personal safety concerns with School Resource Officers and other members of the Williamston Police Department. Parent surveys indicate that a fear of violence or crime is one of the top four concerns of parents affecting their decision to allow their children walk to/from school. The following resource from the National Center for SRTS can help get the conversation started. http://www.saferoutesinfo.org/sites/default/files/Personal_Security_and_SRTS.pdf

Short Term Police Department

Implement a Safety Ambassador team at Palmetto Middle School. The elementary campus currently has a Safety Patrol team. Consider replicating this group for the middle school. These students can serve as safety ambassadors and assist with the education efforts and encouragement efforts described in the strategies above.


Partner with the Palmetto High School driver education class. Make sure the instructor is covering rules and responsibilities of drivers regarding pedestrians, bicyclists and school zones.

Short Term Driver’s Ed Instructor

Provide reflective safety vests or zipper pulls to the students who are currently walking to/from school. Seek funding to have an inventory of vests and other reflective safety items to provide to the groups once the walking school buses begin.

Medium Term

Administration

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Strategy Timeframe Champion(s) Create school policies prohibiting parents from parking in the fields when picking up their children. Implement a hang-tag procedure and require students classified as "car riders" to be picked-up in the parent loop.


Consider progressive ticketing. Progressive ticketing would introduce a three-stage process. There are three main steps to an effective progressive ticketing program – Educating: Establishing community awareness of the problem; Warning: Announce what action will be taken and why; and Ticketing: After the warning period expires, inform the community when and where police enforcement will occur. Click here for a guide: http://guide.saferoutesinfo.org/enforcement/progressive_ticketing.cfm

Long Term Police Department

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Evaluation Evaluation is an important component of any SRTS program. Use of evaluation tools, such as the student tally and parent survey forms provided by National Center for Safe Routes to School, are encouraged by the South Carolina SRTS Resource Center as they can be used to establish baseline information on student travel behavior and measure the effectiveness of SRTS efforts over time. Survey and tally forms can be found at http://www.saferoutesinfo.org/data/ Strategy Timeframe Champion(s) Maintain and expand the SRTS Team. With the creation of this Action Plan, Palmetto Middle School has an established SRTS Team with representatives from the school, school district, and community. It is important to maintain this group. Subcommittees on specific tasks can be formed to help distribute responsibility. This team as a whole should meet bi-annually to conduct evaluation tasks and record progress on the plan.


Conduct annual SRTS Parent Surveys. The parent surveys help assess parent concerns and perceptions about walking and biking to school. These should be distributed at the beginning of the school year, along with other back-to-school information. These surveys may be conducted electronically, and therefore should be included as a link in the school newsletter.


Conduct bi-annual SRTS Student Travel Tallies. Conducting these surveys annually may track any transportation changes in student population at Palmetto Middle School.


Conduct annual walk audits and update the Engineering section of the SRTS Action Plan. By conducting annual walk audits, and observing arrival and dismissal, the Palmetto Middle School SRTS Team will be able to re-evaluate and re-prioritize their engineering recommendations as time passes. These may be conducted informally by passing out Walkability Checklists to families on Walk to School Days or to students after walking field trips. http://www.walkbiketoschool.org/sites/default/files/walkability_checklist.pdf


Survey students on their walking and biking interest. Include questions such as "Do your parents trust you?", "Do you feel safe?", "Would you feel more comfortable walking and biking as a group (with a walking school bus or bike train)?” Include a question about whether they own a bicycle and helmet. This survey will help gauge potential participation.


Enlist science classes to help conduct air quality tests before program implementation, and continue evaluation periodically to gauge air quality improvements possibly related to the anti-idling, carpool, and walking school bus efforts.

Medium Term

Science Teachers

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Strategy Timeframe Champion(s) Conduct an inventory of current walking and biking routes. Also, conduct a count of how many people are using these routes. Once the routes are established, map them and encourage families to use them. Periodically conduct counts to see if usage increases once promotions begin.

Short / Medium Term

SRTS Committee

Perform traffic studies and speed evaluations around the school campus through coordination with law enforcement, SCDOT and Anderson County. These studies will be crucial when advocating for potential engineering improvements.


Survey crossing guards on their insight and concerns regarding student safety. Use the feedback to guide safety education efforts, enforcement tactics and engineering initiatives based on students’ everyday behaviors.

Medium Term

Police Department

Quiz students to establish their current level of safety education knowledge. Use results to customize education lessons and activities depending on their existing understanding.

Medium Term PE Teachers

When sending out any community-wide surveys, make sure to utilize local media outlets, the school website and social media sites to poll the whole community.

Medium Term

Administration

Re-evaluate all strategies annually. Communicate results and updates in order to give recognition to any improvements made. This may also help re-engage participants by highlighting positive outcomes.

Short Term SRTS Committee

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NEXT STEPS & SRTS PROGRAM SUSTAINABILITY Members of the Palmetto Middle School SRTS Team provided valuable information, insight, and guidance in the development of this SRTS plan. In order for Palmetto Middle School’s SRTS program to be successful and sustainable, team members will need on-going support and assistance from additional community champions and volunteers. Information on implementing SRTS strategies can be found on the South Carolina Safe Routes to School Resource Center website, www.scsaferoutes.org; at the National Center for Safe Routes to School website, www.saferoutesinfo.org; and in Appendix C of this report, the Non-Infrastructure Strategies Resource Guide.

Key Strategies for Creating a Sustainable SRTS Program • Present the Palmetto Middle School SRTS Action Plan to the

Mayor, Council and County Administration. The backing of the Town and County will be critical for implementing many of the recommendations in this Action Plan, particularly those that address pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure.

• Identify funding sources for high priority projects and programs. Review high priority projects against opportunities to incorporate them within already planned projects that exist from several sources such as the County’s operating budget, the capital improvement budget and development/re-development projects. Additional information on potential funding strategies can be found on the Resource Center website at www.scsaferoutes.org. It is important to regularly review funding programs to determine if SRTS projects can be submitted for funding, especially if they are connected to a complementary need such as a transit stop improvement.

• Identify stakeholders. Determine which stakeholders should be informed and involved in SRTS planning and implementation going forward.

• Maintain and expand the SRTS Team. Palmetto Middle School has an established SRTS Team with representatives from the school, school district, and community. It is important to maintain this group. Consideration should also be given to recruiting new members.

• Consider establishing a calendar. Creating an annual calendar of SRTS activities for the community can be helpful for staying on track. Determine how frequently and where groups involved in SRTS planning and implementation will meet. Include a timeline for evaluations, which should occur at least annually.

• Monitor and Evaluate. Establish and update measurable goals and conduct regular reviews to determine progress toward meeting them. The goals should be coordinated and cross-referenced with other stakeholder groups.

By completing this action plan, the Palmetto Middle School SRTS Team hopes to shape the school and the surrounding area into a place where students and community members of all abilities and ages feel safe walking and biking.

Current and Potential Partners At the school:

• Principal • PTA members • Teachers • School Nurses • Coaches

In the community: • Lander Memorial Regional

Library

At the Town level: • Mayor • Town Council • Williamston Police

Department

At the county/regional level: • Anderson One School

District • Anderson County Planning

Department • Anderson County

Transportation Department • Anderson County Sheriff’s

Department At the state level:

• DHEC • SCDOT District 2 • SC Highway Patrol

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APPENDICES

A. School Profile

B. Glossary of SRTS Engineering Treatments

C. Non-Infrastructure Strategies Resource Guide

D. Parent Survey Summary Report

E. Student Travel Tally Summary Report

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APPENDIX A: SCHOOL PROFILE

SCHOOL PARTNER FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONNAIRE Outreach Coordinator _Nicole Brown____ Date __April 28, 2014____ The Basics School Name/City: _Palmetto Middle School Williamston, SC___________________ School Address: _803 North Hamilton Street, Williamston SC 29697_______________________ Champion: _Karen Ashley, Physical Education Teacher _____________________________ School hours: _7:45am – 2:55pm__ Start/end date of 2014-15 School year: __August 18, 2014 – June 3, 2015________________ Which event(s) have you participated in? International Walk to School Day (fall) South Carolina Walk to School Day (spring) School Profile 1. Do you currently have a Safe Routes to School program?

Yes. Palmetto Middle is currently a Silver Partner with the SC SRTS Resource Center Partnership Program.

If so, when did it start? What activities have you put in place to compliment SRTS?

Palmetto Middle School enrolled in the Partnership Program in June 2011. Since enrolling, the school has participated with Walk to School Days by planning walk AT school events during which the students walk the perimeter of the school campus, totaling approximately 1 mile in distance. The school has also scheduled a Bike Safety education guest speaker as a component of their “Career Day” on May 27, 2014.

2. What activities related to SRTS does your school promote?

Palmetto Middle School promotes each Walk at School Day, along with providing a speaker on Bike Safety.

3. How many students attend this school? List total students per grade: Grade 6 7 8 Total Number of Students

256 287 276 819

4. Is this a Title 1 School?

*It qualifies as a Title 1 school, but Anderson One only serves elementary schools with Title 1 Funds.

X

No

X

5. What is the percentage of students that qualify for Free and Reduced Lunch?

6. Approximately how many students receive bus service? 7. Approximately how many students currently walk or bicycle on a typical day? 8. What (if any) are the known walking routes to school? List key roads that our team should review.

The school is surrounded by Hamilton Street, Minor Street, Major Rod, Middleton Boulevard, Palmetto Road and Depot Road. Students are known to use each of these streets as walking routes.

9. How many students live within ¼ mile, ½ mile, 1 mile, 1.5 miles (this question can be skipped if

student addresses are provided) Approximately 200 students live within 1.5 miles.

10. Estimated percentage of students who live within 1.5 miles? (Follow-up: Is there a major barrier like a railroad crossing or natural feature that is an obstacle for students within a mile and a half radius?)

An estimated 24% of students live within 1.5 miles of school.

11. School attendance boundaries (map or description) Please see attachments. 12. There is 1 crossing guard assigned to the school. If applicable, where are these crossing guards

stationed? The School Resource Officer for Palmetto High School serves as the Crossing Guard for both the high school and middle school. He is stationed at the cross walk that runs between the two schools on North Hamilton Street.

13. Briefly describe the current conditions of sidewalks and paths around your school. There is only a sidewalk at the front of the school that runs on Hamilton Street and stops at the district office that is located right next door to the school. All other access points to the school lack sidewalks. The subdivision located directly behind the school does not have access to a sidewalk that would allow the students to walk to school, nor do those who live in nearby apartments. The majority of these children either ride the bus or travel in private vehicles.

14. Briefly describe the amount of vehicle traffic and the speed limits of the roads surrounding your

school. During the morning drop and afternoon pick up times, the speed limit is 25 mph. During this time, traffic in front of the school and leading to the back car circle is extremely congested. Parents/guardians are dropping students off or picking students up from three schools in the same general vicinity, all using the same roads.

15. Are there physical barriers that prohibit students from walking and biking to school?

The lack of sidewalks prohibits the students from walking and biking to school in a safe manner. At this time, only a portion of Hamilton Street has a sidewalk and it only leads to the district office. It does not connect to any surrounding apartment complexes or subdivisions.

16. Are there policies in place that prohibit students from walking and biking to school?

No, there are not any policies that would prohibit walking or riding bikes to school.

62%

514

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17. What after school activities occur on campus? (Please list and number of student participants) Beta Club - 206 Student Council - 40 Basketball – 35 Football - 50 Volleyball - 18 Science Olympiad - 14 After School Tutoring - 18

18. Who owns/maintains the roads in town? Local, County, State, Combination. Describe distribution below:

The roads surrounding Palmetto Middle are maintained by a combination of the county and state.

N. Hamilton Street/Palmetto Road – State Minor Street/578 – State Middleton Blvd./Roberts Blvd. – State North Street – State Palmetto Primary Drive – State Major Rd. – County Depot Rd. – County

19. Did the school complete pre-evaluation data? (Circle either No or Yes)

Parent Surveys:

Student Travel Tallies: Yes – March 2014

Safe Routes to School Team Members Identified

Name Title Organization Barry Knight Principal Palmetto Middle Karen Ashley PE Teacher Palmetto Middle Jennifer Crouch Assistant Principal Palmetto Middle Lisa Cassidy Director of Planning and

Development Anderson 1 School District

Robbie Binnicker Assistant Superintendent Anderson 1 School District Louanne Roullette School Improvement Council Palmetto Middle Teresa Smith PTA Palmetto Middle Darlene Crawford School Resource Officer Palmetto Middle Mack Durham Mayor Town of Williamston Judy Shelato Traffic Engineer Anderson County

APPENDIX B: GLOSSARY OF SRTS ENGINEERING TREATMENTS Accessible Pedestrian Signals: Accessible Pedestrian Signals (APSs) include pedestrian signal features, including push buttons that are designed to accommodate persons with disabilities, particularly visually impaired. Accessible Pedestrian Signals can be appropriate where specifically requested to assist disabled citizens, or where conditions warrant (i.e. areas where it is difficult to cross using non-visual cues, complex signal phasing, complex intersection geometry, etc.). The 2009 MUTCD includes the following guidance: “if a leading pedestrian interval is used, the use of accessible pedestrian signals should be considered” (2009 MUTCD Section 4E.06). Leading Pedestrian Intervals: At signalized intersections, Leading Pedestrian Intervals (LPIs) allow the crosswalk/pedestrian movement to begin crossing 3-6 seconds before the green light is given to motor vehicle traffic in the same direction. LPIs are appropriate at signalized intersections where there is relatively heavy pedestrian volume or significant conflicts with turning vehicles. SCDOT does not use this treatment on state roads. Recommendations for LPI’s on SCDOT intersections are not likely to be implemented. Local jurisdictions can apply them to local intersections at their discretion.

Right Turn on Red (RTOR) Restrictions Restricting right turns on the “red” interval of a signal phase at signalized intersections can reduce crashes between pedestrians and turning vehicles. These restrictions can provide further protection for pedestrians during a leading pedestrian interval of a signal phase, if used. The RTOR restrictions can be limited to certain times of the day or can apply to all hours, prohibiting motorists from turning right without a green signal. The MUTCD identifies two conditions related to pedestrians when restricted RTOR may be most effective including;

1. where an exclusive pedestrian phase exists, and 2. where an unacceptable number of pedestrian conflicts result from RTOR, especially

conflicts involving children, older pedestrians, or persons with disabilities.

An engineering study is needed before implementing right turn on red restrictions.

Pedestrian Countdown Signals: Countdown signals provide a numerical display of time remaining once the “red hand” or “Don’t Walk” symbol appears, allowing pedestrians to see how much time they have left to complete crossing the street. Traffic Controls at Intersections: Traffic controls at intersections allocates right-of-way for users. This can be accomplished by installing stop control (i.e. stop signs) or traffic signal control at an intersection. The decision to provide stop sign control on one or more approaches to an intersection should be based on engineering judgment following the factors, conditions, and considerations detailed in Chapter 2B of the 2009 MUTCD. An advantage of providing stop control on one or more approaches to an intersection is that it allows pedestrians to cross the controlled approach without having to

judge gaps in moving traffic. This can be helpful especially for children who may not have the skills to judge the speed of oncoming traffic. Traffic control signals regulate the flow of all users through intersections, regardless of mode, by assigning right-of-way to the various traffic movements. Signals for both motorists and pedestrians are particularly important at high-use, mid-block crossings on higher speed roads, multi-lane roads, or at highly congested intersections (2009 MUTCD). Chapter 4C of the 2009 MUTCD details warrants for determining the need for traffic signal control. An engineering study is needed before implementing a new stop sign or traffic signal control. Also, these applications would need approval from the SCDOT before implementation on state roads. Rapid Flashing Beacons: Rapid flashing beacons can increase driver awareness of students and pedestrians as they cross a roadway. This type of flasher can be activated manually by push button (or is triggered passively by a pedestrian detection system. Local jurisdictions can explore the possibility of installing rapid flashing beacons on local intersections or roads at their discretion. Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon Pedestrian hybrid beacons are a special type of hybrid beacon used to warn and control traffic at an unsignalized location to assist pedestrians in crossing a street or highway at a marked crosswalk. Pedestrian hybrid beacons should primarily be considered at locations where accommodations need to be made for heavy pedestrian flow at special events, intermittent times or at a midblock crossing. A pedestrian hybrid beacon may be considered an option to increase pedestrian safety at locations where a signal is not warranted. Chapter 4F of the 2009 MUTCD establishes provisions for pedestrian hybrid beacons and the SCDOT has developed guidelines (See TG-26) for implementing pedestrian hybrid beacons in South Carolina. An engineering study is needed following the guidelines, warrants, and requirements detailed in TG-26. Curb Extensions: Curb extensions can improve the ability of pedestrians and motorists to see each other, reduce crossing distances (and thus exposure to traffic), and can slow motor vehicle turning speeds. Also, curb extensions are only appropriate where there is on-street parking. Curb extensions located along school bus routes can effectively calm traffic, but should not impede buses (or larger design vehicles) from making the turn. The application will need to be studied before approval may be given to recommendations for curb extensions on state roads. Curb Radius Reductions: Curb radius reductions can slow motor vehicle turning speeds, reduce pedestrian crossing distances, (and thus exposure to traffic) and improve visibility between pedestrian and motorists. Curb radius reductions involve tightening the turning radius at an intersection without extending the curb line into the roadway or a parking lane. Curb radius reductions located along school bus routes can effectively calm traffic but should not impede buses (or larger design vehicles) from making the turn. The application will need to be studied before approval may be given to recommendations for radius reductions on state roads.

High Visibility Crosswalks: High visibility crosswalk striping improves the visibility of pedestrian crossings. Different striping patterns can be used, most commonly variations of the ladder style. Thermoplastic material is typically used for higher durability and improved visibility of the markings. Speed Tables/Raised crosswalks: Raised crosswalks are flat-topped speed humps with crosswalk markings painted on the top. Raised crosswalks serve two purposes: they make pedestrian crossings more visible to motorists; and they cause motorists to slow, where pedestrians cross (The Effects of Traffic Calming Measure on Pedestrian and Motorists Behavior, FHWA 2001). These can be considered for a school driveway on school property when new sidewalk or existing sidewalk occurs on both sides of the drive and it’s necessary for pedestrians to cross when walking to a parking lot, play area, etc. Offsite, the application would need to be studied and be in compliance to SCDOT’s Traffic Calming Guidelines, page 7-9 (Traffic Calming Project Process) before approval may be given. Crossing Islands Crossing islands are raised median islands placed in the center of the street at intersection approaches or midblock. They allow pedestrians to cross one direction of traffic at a time by enabling them to stop partway across the street and wait for an adequate gap in traffic before crossing the second half of the street. They can reduce crashes between vehicles and pedestrians at uncontrolled crossing locations on higher volume multi-lane roadways where gaps are difficult to find, particularly for slower pedestrians, e.g. disabled, older pedestrians, and children. The application would need to be studied before implementing crossing islands on state roads. Sidewalks and buffers: A long-term goal of SRTS projects is to establish a well-connected sidewalk network throughout the neighborhoods so that families can walk for more of their daily trips, rather than drive. Sidewalks are most effective when they include a buffer. This buffer increases pedestrian comfort and safety and can also serve as a place for pedestrian “overflow”, especially closer to the school where groups of walkers are largest. The preferred sidewalk design is a minimum 6’ wide sidewalk with a minimum 2’ wide buffer. Available right of way will impact the ultimate design. Sidepaths and Shared-Use Paths Shared-use paths are facilities that are used to increase the connectivity of the pedestrian and bicycle network. These can connect neighborhoods directly with schools along a roadway (sidepath), through a park, or along abandoned rail lines that have been repurposed for transportation and recreation. Guidelines for the width of paths can range from 8 to 14ft or more. Typically, a path that is meant to be shared by bicyclists and pedestrians is 10ft wide. Mini Traffic Circles Mini traffic circles are a traffic calming measure that can be implemented by constructing a raised circular island in the center of a low volume residential type street intersection. They reduce vehicle speeds by forcing drivers to maneuver around the circular island. The slower

speed associated with mini traffic circles can reduce the severity of vehicle crashes, but they must be properly designed to benefit pedestrians and bicyclists. Mini traffic circles should be designed to accommodate the necessary design vehicle. The application would need to be studied and be in compliance to the SCDOT’s Traffic Calming Guidelines, page 7-9 (Traffic Calming Project Process) before approval may be given to construct on state roads through an approved SCDOT encroachment permit. Lighting: Pedestrian scale lighting may improve safety and visibility when placed along sidewalk. It is typically recommended that lighting be installed at the same time as sidewalks. If not done at that time, the highest priority for lighting should be given to those intersections identified where students cross. The application would need to be studied before implementing the lighting on state roads. Also, SCDOT will not be responsible for electric usage or maintenance expenses associated with lighting installation; therefore, an agreement would be needed to assign the responsibility of maintenance and electric cost. School Zone Identification: School pavement markings can increase motorists’ awareness of entering a school zone where pedestrians may be present both along and crossing the roadway. New pavement markings can work with existing school zone signs as appropriate to reinforce the message to motorists about the school zone. The application would need to be studied before implementing the pavement markings on state roads. Speed Feedback Signs: Communities may use a mobile “speed trailer” that can be placed in locations where motorists exceed the speed limit often enough that passive enforcement is appropriate. Permanently installed feedback signs provide on-going information to motorists about the speed at which they are traveling. The application would need to be studied before implementing the permanent feedback sign on state roads.

Appendix C: Non-infrastructure Strategies Resource Guide

Strategy E’s Advantages Considerations Resources

Walking and Biking Safety Assembly These single-day events can be held in the fall to promote Walk to School Day. Guest speakers teach the students pedestrian and bicycle safety skills that they can use when walking and biking to school.

Educ

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ncou

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men

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• Assures all children learn bicycle and pedestrian safety skills

• Establishes habits that benefit children throughout their lives, regardless of whether they currently walk or bike to school

• Establishes consistent messages for young pedestrians and bicyclists

• Provides a refresher for parents if take home materials are provided in conjunction with the assembly. It’s never too late to correct bad habits.

• Events can make learning fun, and help strengthen community ties with event organizers and participants.

• Best taught using a combination of methods, including one-time instruction (e.g. assemblies), multi-lesson classroom curricula, and skills practice (e.g. bike rodeos).

• Requires able and willing instructors • Should be age-appropriate • Bicycle safety education may require an

outside instructor, e.g. a police officer.

• Pedestrian Safety Lesson Plan and Activities http://www.scsaferoutes.org/files/scsr/public/content/file/63/upload/63.pdf

• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Pedestrian Safety Lessons http://www.nhtsa.gov/ChildPedestrianSafetyCurriculum

• WalktoSchool.org - Classroom activities that encourage walking and biking. http://www.walkbiketoschool.org/get-set/event-ideas/classroom-activities-and-handouts

• Willie Whistle - The National Highway Traffic Safety Association has created a video to help teach children pedestrian safety skills. http://www.nhtsa.gov/people/injury/willie/willie.zip

http://www.scsaferoutes.org/files/scsr/public/content/file/63/upload/63.pdf


http://www.nhtsa.gov/ChildPedestrianSafetyCurriculum

http://www.nhtsa.gov/ChildPedestrianSafetyCurriculum

http://www.nhtsa.gov/people/injury/willie/willie.zip

http://www.nhtsa.gov/people/injury/willie/willie.zip


Continue to Participate in Walk to School Day Walk to School Day is a one-day event that celebrates walking and biking to school that {School Name} already participates in. Generally this event is scheduled for the first full week in October. Why not use this strategy multiple times a year?

Educ

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ncou

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• Excellent kick-off event for Safe Routes to School program

• Generates enthusiasm for walking and biking

• Way to raise community awareness about safety issues

• Can be as simple as a few kids and parents meeting to walk to school or very elaborate celebrations

• Can be folded into studies of international cultures as it is an international event

• Date is flexible- to be counted by the National Center for Safe Routes to school the event need only take place before Dec 1.

• Preparations for elaborate celebrations must begin several months in advance to allow time to identify partners, plan activities, and promote the event

• Should provide bicycle and pedestrian safety information to children and parents

• International Walk to School Day takes place in October but some schools organize multiple Walk to School Day (or “Walk and Roll Day”) events over the course of the school year (e.g. one in the fall and one in the spring).

• U.S. Walk to School Day website (provides resources and event registration): www.walktoschool.org

• International Walk to School Day website: www.iwalktoschool.org/

• Walk to School Day Toolkit http://www.scsaferoutes.org/files/scsr/public/content/file/935/upload/296.zip

Frequent Walker/Bicyclist Program or Walking Wednesdays Track and reward students who walk and bicycle to school. Can be an individual competition or a competition among classes.

Enco

urag

emen

t

• Provides positive reinforcement for walking and bicycling.

• Children respond to incentives. • Can include all students. • Can include walking and bicycling

beyond the trip to school.

• Necessary to identify a coordinator. • Establish a simple record-keeping

system. • Establish age-appropriate goals. • Consider giving rewards to parents as

well, since parents are often involved in the commute to school.

• Frequent Walker Punch Card Template http://www.scsaferoutes.org/files/scsr/public/content/file/54/upload/54.pdf

• Mileage Log for the Classroom http://www.scsaferoutes.org/files/scsr/public/content/file/55/upload/55.docx

• Walk Across America http://www.scsaferoutes.org/files/scsr/public/content/file/574/upload/184.pdf

http://www.walktoschool.org/

http://www.iwalktoschool.org/



http://www.scsaferoutes.org/files/scsr/public/content/file/55/upload/55.docx

http://www.scsaferoutes.org/files/scsr/public/content/file/55/upload/55.docx




Traffic Enforcement (Staff/Crossing Guards) This can be an ongoing program for school staff and crossing guards. This works well if the school has an existing reward point program.

Educ

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nfor

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Enco

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• Crossing guards play an important role in helping children cross the street at key locations, reminding drivers of the presence of pedestrians, and making parents feel more comfortable about letting their children walk and bicycle to school.

• Staff and crossing guards can also reward students who are “caught being good” by issuing School Reward Points.

• Requires some training and coordination with crossing guards

• Adult School Crossing Guard Guidelines (NCSRTS) http://guide.saferoutesinfo.org/crossing_guard/pdf/crossing_guard_guidelines_web.pdf

• Florida School Crossing Guard Training Guidelines http://saferoutesinfo.org/program-tools/florida-school-crossing-guard-training-guidelines

• Lessons from Florida’s Crossing Guard Program http://saferoutesinfo.org/events-and-training/srts-webinars/lessons-floridas-crossing-guard-program

Student Safety Patrol Program This can be an ongoing program for 5th grade students. Student safety patrols can offer educational literature to offenders to let them know about traffic safety issues (and proper behavior) surrounding the school zone.

Educ

atio

n, E

nfor

cem

ent,

Enco

urag

emen

t • Students can also issue citations if condoned by the school.

• Excellent way to educate parents and encourage appropriate behaviors while supporting the school’s SRTS program.

• Teaches students valuable leadership skills.

• Requires an adult organizer such as a parent, teacher, or law enforcement officer

• Materials such as sashes and badges are encouraged

• Requires adult supervision while students are “on-duty”

• Student safety patrols will also be trained to set the model example for younger students.

• In the last month of school, student patrols can “train” 3rd graders who are interested in being trained in the fall.

• One option is to host an end of the year party to honor the graduating safety patrols

AAA Safety Patrol Program: http://www.aaamidatlantic.com/ Foundation/ SchoolPrograms/SchoolSafetyPatrol

http://guide.saferoutesinfo.org/crossing_guard/pdf/crossing_guard_guidelines_web.pdf



http://saferoutesinfo.org/program-tools/florida-school-crossing-guard-training-guidelines



http://saferoutesinfo.org/events-and-training/srts-webinars/lessons-floridas-crossing-guard-program



http://www.aaamidatlantic.com/%20Foundation/%20SchoolPrograms/SchoolSafetyPatrol




Bike Rodeo This is a single-day event that promotes bicycle safety. At the rodeo, students can borrow bicycles or bring their own.

Educ

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Enco

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• Events like bike rodeos make learning fun and can help strengthen community ties with event organizers and participants.

• At the rodeo students learn safety skills such as how to properly wear a helmet and how to behave while bike riding. The rodeo can also have a closed “test course” for the students to ride along. This helps the students to practice in a safe environment and gain confidence in their decision-making skills.

• One possible partner for this is the local police department.

• Requires able and willing instructors • Should be age-appropriate • Bicycle safety education may require an outside

instructor, e.g. a police officer. • These events require planning and materials to

share with students

• SC Bike Rodeo Manual http://www.scsaferoutes.org/files/scsr/public/content/file/1132/upload/bicycle-rodeo-manual-final.pdf

• An organizer’s guide to bicycle rodeos http://www.bike.cornell.edu/pdfs/Bike_Rodeo_404.2.pdf

• Easy steps to properly fit a bicycle helmet http://icsw.nhtsa.gov/people/injury/pedbimot/bike/doom.EasyStepsWeb.zzy/doom.index.doom.htm

Walk Audit/Parent Surveys / Student tallies The team will meet annually (ideally in August before school starts) to review the accomplishments and progress from the previous school year and set new goals for the upcoming school year.

Eval

uatio

n

• Establishes baseline information on student travel behavior and perceived barriers to walking and biking

• Helps determine existing needs • Helps determine success of SRTS

efforts and identify needed adjustments

• Best to conduct initial surveys before SRTS measures have been implemented

• Requires teacher buy-in and administrative organization

• Getting parents to fill out and return surveys can be a challenge. Follow up is necessary. Consider a contest among classes for highest rate of return.

• Student In-Class Travel Tally Form: http://www.saferoutesinfo.org/resources/evaluation_student-in-class-travel-talley.cfm

• Parent Survey Form: http://www.saferoutesinfo.org/resources/evaluation_parent-survey.cfm

• Instructions for Survey Administration: http://www.saferoutesinfo.org/resources/evaluation_instructions.cfm

• Instructions for Data Entry: http://www.saferoutesinfo.org/resources/evaluation_cover-sheets.cfm

http://www.scsaferoutes.org/files/scsr/public/content/file/1132/upload/bicycle-rodeo-manual-final.pdf



http://www.bike.cornell.edu/pdfs/Bike_Rodeo_404.2.pdf

http://www.bike.cornell.edu/pdfs/Bike_Rodeo_404.2.pdf

http://icsw.nhtsa.gov/people/injury/pedbimot/bike/doom.EasyStepsWeb.zzy/doom.index.doom.htm



http://www.saferoutesinfo.org/resources/evaluation_student-in-class-travel-talley.cfm



http://www.saferoutesinfo.org/resources/evaluation_parent-survey.cfm

http://www.saferoutesinfo.org/resources/evaluation_parent-survey.cfm

http://www.saferoutesinfo.org/resources/evaluation_instructions.cfm

http://www.saferoutesinfo.org/resources/evaluation_instructions.cfm

http://www.saferoutesinfo.org/resources/evaluation_cover-sheets.cfm

http://www.saferoutesinfo.org/resources/evaluation_cover-sheets.cfm


Walking School Buses/ Bicycle Trains Walking school buses and bicycle trains are adult supervised groups of students walking and/or bicycling to school.

Educ

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• Adult supervision on the walk to school

• Can be loosely structured or highly organized

• Can include a meeting point in a parking lot so children and parents who must drive can participate.

• Adults can rotate who will lead each time.

• Need to identify routes where conditions support walking and there is sufficient demand for supervised walking

• Requires parents willing to walk with children and learn about how Walking school buses are organized and conducted.

• More organized structure requires considerable planning

• Walking School Bus tip sheet http://scsaferoutes.org/downloads/Encouragement/SC-SRTS-Tip-Sheet_WalkingSchoolBus.pdf

• Bicycle Train guide http://scsaferoutes.org/downloads/Encouragement/SC_SRTS_Bike_Train%20Guide.pdf

Drive Safe Campaigns Some parents are not aware of how their driving behavior can put walking students at risk. This teaches parents how their unsafe driving habits can put their children in danger.

Educ

atio

n

• Has the ability to positively effect change in and community around the school

• Improves the safety of the walking environment

• Good drivers can help to set the example for good behavior. This is especially true for helping to control speeds.

• This requires a person to organize and administer the campaign.

• May not be effective at schools where parent/teacher organizations are weak

• Law enforcement officers would be great at speaking at the campaign events. Sometimes, due to their heavy schedules that can be difficult to pin down.

• A good way to contact parents is at back to school night and PTA meetings. Starting at the beginning of the year helps to prevent bad habits from starting. Law enforcement officers (or other teachers) can hold a brief assembly to explain the dangers of unsafe driving in school areas.

• Law enforcement officers can provide a demonstration of how difficult it is to quickly stop a moving vehicle at 50, 40 and 30 mph. The National Center has information on how the speed of the vehicle can affect the severity of injury that the pedestrian experiences in a crash.

• Driving Around Schools: Keeping Children Safe http://apps.saferoutesinfo.org/lawenforcement/resources/driving_tips.cfm

• Parents, Avoid Becoming a Traffic Hazard http://www.aaamidatlantic.com/FetchFile.ashx?id=e55bfa26-a70d-4e17-afde-073b86cc9975

http://scsaferoutes.org/downloads/Encouragement/SC-SRTS-Tip-Sheet_WalkingSchoolBus.pdf





http://scsaferoutes.org/downloads/Encouragement/SC_SRTS_Bike_Train%20Guide.pdf




http://apps.saferoutesinfo.org/lawenforcement/resources/driving_tips.cfm



http://www.aaamidatlantic.com/FetchFile.ashx?id=e55bfa26-a70d-4e17-afde-073b86cc9975





Crossing Guard Appreciation Day Crossing guards help our children cross the road safely in the mornings and afternoons, in all weather conditions. Remind them that you appreciate their service and dedication. Students can create thank you cards that they deliver themselves during their walks home, or teachers and administrators can honor them formally during a school assembly.

Enco

urag

emen

t

• Maintains a positive relationship between the crossing guards and the school/community.

• Can inspire crossing guards to continue to be reliable, safety figures.

• Creates an opportunity to remind students why it is important to practice safe walking skills.

• Requires coordination between the crossing guards, school administrators and school instructors.

• May require materials to create the thank-you cards. • Is most effective with newsletter and in-school

announcements. • Relatively inexpensive strategy

• SC Crossing Guard Appreciation Week http://www.scsaferoutes.org/events/XGuardApprecationWeek

Parent Survey Report: One School in One Data Collection Period

School Name: Palmetto Middle School Set ID: 11611

School Group: South Carolina SRTS Resource Center Month and Year Collected: May 2014

School Enrollment: 820 Date Report Generated: 06/10/2014

% Range of Students Involved in SRTS: 76-100% Tags:

Number of Questionnaires Distributed: 820 Number of QuestionnairesAnalyzed for Report: 152

This report contains information from parents about their children's trip to and from school. The report also reflects

parents' perceptions regarding whether walking and bicycling to school is appropriate for their child. The data used in this

report were collected using the Survey about Walking and Biking to School for Parents form from the National Center for

Safe Routes to School.

Sex of children for parents that provided information

Page 1 of 12

Grade levels of children represented in survey

Grade levels of children represented in survey

Grade in SchoolResponses per

grade

Number Percent

6 52 35%

7 39 26%

8 58 39%

No response: 0Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding.

Page 2 of 12

Parent estimate of distance from child's home to school

Parent estimate of distance from child's home to school

Distance betweenhome and school Number of children Percent

Less than 1/4 mile 4 3%

1/4 mile up to 1/2 mile 4 3%

1/2 mile up to 1 mile 14 10%

1 mile up to 2 miles 39 27%

More than 2 miles 82 57%

Don't know or No response: 9Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding.

Page 3 of 12

Typical mode of arrival at and departure from school

Typical mode of arrival at and departure from school

Time of Trip Numberof Trips Walk Bike School

BusFamilyVehicle Carpool Transit Other

Morning 148 0.7% 0% 19% 74% 5% 0% 0.7%

Afternoon 145 3% 0% 24% 61% 10% 0% 0.7%

No Response Morning: 4No Response Afternoon: 7Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding.

Page 4 of 12

Typical mode of school arrival and departure by distance child lives from school

Page 5 of 12

Typical mode of school arrival and departure by distance child lives from school

School Arrival

Distance Number withinDistance Walk Bike School


Less than 1/4 mile 4 0% 0% 50% 50% 0% 0% 0%

1/4 mile up to 1/2 mile 4 25% 0% 0% 75% 0% 0% 0%

1/2 mile up to 1 mile 14 0% 0% 0% 100% 0% 0% 0%

1 mile up to 2 miles 38 0% 0% 21% 74% 5% 0% 0%

More than 2 miles 82 0% 0% 17% 76% 7% 0% 0%


School Departure

Distance Number withinDistance Walk Bike School


Less than 1/4 mile 4 0% 0% 50% 25% 25% 0% 0%

1/4 mile up to 1/2 mile 4 25% 0% 25% 50% 0% 0% 0%

1/2 mile up to 1 mile 13 8% 0% 0% 85% 0% 0% 8%

1 mile up to 2 miles 38 0% 0% 29% 58% 13% 0% 0%

More than 2 miles 80 3% 0% 24% 64% 10% 0% 0%


Page 6 of 12

Percent of children who have asked for permission to walk or bike to/from school by distance

they live from school

Percent of children who have asked for permission to walk or bike to/from school by distance

they live from school

Asked Permission? Number of Children Less than1/4 mile

1/4 mile upto 1/2 mile

1/2 mile upto 1 mile

1 mile upto 2 miles

More than2 miles

Yes 23 0% 25% 29% 23% 11%

No 119 100% 75% 71% 77% 89%


Page 7 of 12

Issues reported to affect the decision to not allow a child to walk or bike to/from school by

parents of children who do not walk or bike to/from school

Issues reported to affect the decision to allow a child to walk or bike to/from school by

parents of children who already walk or bike to/from school

Page 8 of 12

Issues reported to affect the decision to allow a child to walk or bike to/from school by

parents of children who already walk or bike to/from school

Issue Child does not walk/bike to school Child walks/bikes to school

Distance 81% 100%

Speed of Traffic Along Route 66% 25%

Amount of Traffic Along Route 65% 50%

Violence or Crime 59% 50%

Weather or climate 57% 100%

Safety of Intersections and Crossings 55% 25%

Time 44% 75%

Sidewalks or Pathways 43% 25%

Crossing Guards 25% 25%

Child's Participation in After School Programs 22% 50%

Convenience of Driving 21% 50%

Adults to Bike/Walk With 13% 25%

Number of Respondents per Category 110 4

No response: 38Note:--Factors are listed from most to least influential for the 'Child does not walk/bike to school' group.--Each column may sum to > 100% because respondent could select more than issue--The calculation used to determine the percentage for each issue is based on the 'Number of Respondents perCategory' within the respective columns (Child does not walk/bike to school and Child walks/bikes to school.) Ifcomparing percentages between the two columns, please pay particular attention to each column's number ofrespondents because the two numbers can differ dramatically.

Page 9 of 12

Parents' opinions about how much their child's school encourages or discourages walking

and biking to/from school

Parents' opinions about how much fun walking and biking to/from school is for their child

Page 10 of 12

Parents' opinions about how healthy walking and biking to/from school is for their child

Page 11 of 12

Comments Section

SurveyID Comment

1188987 YOUNGER CHILDREN COULD WALK HOME IF ACCOMPANIED BY AN OLDER SIBLING.

1189003 IT WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE BICYCLE LANES OR A SPECIAL ROUTE FOR WALKING AND BICYCLING KIDS.

1189052 N/A

1189065 THE SCHOOL BUS TO ENTER OUR STREET INSTEAD OF WAITING/STOPPING AT THE STOP SIGN.

1188977 WEATHER/CLIMATE & DISTANCE ARE ITEMS (IN QUESTION 10) THAT CAN'T BE CHANGED SO I THINKOPTION OF N/A SHOULD BE AVAILABLE. THERE ARE A LOT OF CRAZY DRIVERS & PEOPLE ALREADY. IT'S

JUST NOT SAFE TO BIKE/WALK TO SCHOOL ANYMORE.

1189031 WE LIVE TO FAR AND THERE ARE NOT SIDEWALKS ALONG THE WAY.

1189035 ALTHOUGH WALKING AND BICYCLING IS HEALTHY I WOULDN'T ALLOW MY CHILD TO TRAVEL TO SCHOOLIN THIS MANNER. PEOPLE JUST DON'T WATCH AND THERE ARE JUST SOME BAD PEOPLE IN TODAYS

SOCIETY UNFORTUNATELY.

1189056 IT WOULD BE NICE IF SCHOOLS ENCOURAGED BIKEING TO SCHOOL.

1189087 MY CHILD PREFERS WALKING WITH A FRIEND RATHER THAN ALONE.

1189097 MY CHILD IS NOT ALLOWED TO WALK TO SCHOOL

1188978 CHILD WOULD BE ALLOWED TO WALK IF HE WANTED OR NEEDED TO. HE HAS WALKED WHEN THE NEEDARRIVES.

1188988 DISTANCE IS THE MAJOR FACTOR AND LACK OF SIDEWALKS/PATHWAYS. ADDITIONALLY YOU CANNOTTRUST WHAT PEOPLE MAY DO TO A KID OF ANY AGE.

1188993 MY CHILD ONLY WALKS LESS THAN HALF A MILE AFTER SCHOOL. HE WALKS TO A PARENT'SWORKPLACE. HE WALKS WITH OTHER CHILDREN. THEREFORE I AM NOT OVERLY CONCERNED ABOUT HIS

SAFETY.

1189050 WITH THE DECREASE IN P.E. REQUIREMENTS AT SCHOOL AND THE CHILDHOOS OBESITY EPIDEMIC IWOULD LOVE TO SEE CHANGES MADE TO MAKE THESE THINGS SAFE FOR MY CHILD.

1189089 I HAVE A 2 YR DEGREE

1188974 THIS DAY AND TIME I DON'T THINK IT'S SAFE FOR ANY CHILD TO WALK OR BIKE WITHOUT AN ADULT(TO/FROM SCHOOL OR ANYWHERE) QUESTION #10 - NO SIDEWALKS

1189098 NONE

1189012 IT IS NOT FAIR THAT THERE IS NO BUS PICK UP.

1189016 WE LIVE TOO FAR FOR HIM TO WALK OR BIKE TO SCHOOL.

1189075 NEED SIDEWALKS & BIKE TRAILS IN TOWN & OUTSIDE OF TOWN

1189081 MOST ROADS AROUND THE SCHOOL (OTHER THAN IN THE FRONT) DO NOT HAVE SIDEWALKS AND ICONSIDER IT VERY DANGEROUS FOR CHILDREN TO WALK ON THESE ROADS.

1188972 MY KIDS WILL NOT VER RIDE BIKE OR WALK TO SCHOOL DUE TO SAFETY AND BUSES ARE AVAILABLE.

1189074 I'M NOT SURE WHAT THIS SURVEY IS FOR AS WELL AS THE CONSTANT QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW HIGH MYEDUCATION IS ON EVERY SURVEY? THE KID RIDES OR DOESN'T RIDE A BUS BECAUSE I DID OR DIDN'T

GRADUATE? QUESTION #13 - SHE RIDES A BUS....

1189103 WE LIVE TOO FAR FOR MY CHILD TO BIKE TO SCHOOL.

1189000 I THINK WE LIVE TO FAR FOR MY SON TO WALK TO OR FROM SCHOOL ALSO ITS NOT SAFE.

Page 12 of 12

Student Travel Tally Report: One School in One Data Collection Period

School Name: Palmetto Middle School Set ID: 14473

School Group: South Carolina SRTS Resource Center Month and Year Collected: March 2014

School Enrollment: 780 Date Report Generated: 05/20/2014

% of Students reached by SRTS activities: 76-100% Tags:

Number of ClassroomsIncluded in Report: 1

This report contains information from your school's classrooms about students' trip to and from school. The data used in

this report were collected using the in-class Student Travel Tally questionnaire from the National Center for Safe Routes

to School.

Morning and Afternoon Travel Mode Comparison

Morning and Afternoon Travel Mode Comparison

Numberof Trips Walk Bike School


Morning 819 4% 0% 63% 34% 0% 0% 0%

Afternoon 0 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%

Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding.

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Morning and Afternoon Travel Mode Comparison by Day

Morning and Afternoon Travel Mode Comparison by Day

Number ofTrips Walk Bike School Bus Family

Vehicle Carpool Transit Other

Tuesday AM 819 4% 0% 63% 34% 0% 0% 0%

Tuesday PM 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%

Wednesday AM 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%

Wednesday PM 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%

Thursday AM 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%

Thursday PM 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%


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Travel Mode by Weather Conditions

Travel Mode by Weather Condition

WeatherCondition

Numberof Trips Walk Bike School


Sunny 819 4% 0% 63% 34% 0% 0% 0%

Rainy 0 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%

Overcast 0 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%

Snow 0 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%


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Palmetto Middle School, Williamston

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