School walk audits are powerful tools used to assess the physical environment and identify assets and barriers to walking and bicycling to school. By assessing the environment and observing behaviors around a school for walking and bicycling patterns, a school walk audit can help identify areas where small changes could make a big difference in improving safety for students walking or biking to school. School walk audits can also assist in identifying areas in which education or encouragement programs can improve student or parent behaviors. This course walks participants through planning for and conducting a school walk audit.

SRTS is a statewide program, funded by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), whose goal is to make it safer for more children to walk and bike to school. This training is being brought to you by FDOT through the Florida Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) Center. The Florida LTAP Center provides quality training, technical assistance, & technology transfer to the Florida local transportation workforce.

Learning Objectives:

✔ Describe the purpose of a school walk audit.
✔ Identify tools used to conduct a school walk audit.
✔ Provide an overview of the steps for conducting a school walk audit.
✔ Describe the stakeholders involved with a school walk audit.
✔ Provide next steps and outcomes of a school walk audit.
✔ Provide best practices of school walk audits.

Part 1 Introduction to School Walk Audits: Session one will introduce school walk audits as they relate to Safe Routes to School. We will go over the purpose of school walk audits, the process involved, the tools used, the stakeholders involved, and how to use the data collected.

Part 2 Case Studies and Best Practices Presentations and Roundtable: Session two will include guest speakers from around the state of Florida. Guest speakers will present their school walk audit experiences.

Guest speakers include:
◾ Tina Russo, FDOT District 7 Bicyclist and Pedestrian Program Manager
◾Sarah Kraum, Senior Planner at Space Coast TPO
◾James Cromar, Deputy Executive Director, Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization (BMPO)

Part 3 Understanding Rural Infrastructure in SRTS and Virtual Walk Audit Insights: This session will explore the unique infrastructure challenges and opportunities in rural communities related to Safe Routes to School (SRTS). We’ll discuss the fundamentals of site assessments, strategies for effective stakeholder engagement, and long-term planning tailored to rural environments. Participants will then embark on a virtual school walk audit journey through the lens of an audit team. We’ll capture the walk audit experience in real time using photos, videos, and drone footage. Attendees will gain insight into how to conduct observations, collect relevant data, collaborate as a team, and identify potential countermeasures to improve safety and accessibility for students.

Panelists include:
◾ Dana Crosby, M.Ed., Program Administrator, Florida School Crossing Guard Training Program, FDOT Safety Office
◾ Dr. Ruth Steiner, Director, Center for Health, and the Built Environment at University of Florida