A walking school bus (WSB) is a group of children walking to/from school under adult supervision. A WSB program promotes physical activity, teaches pedestrian safety skills, and helps reduce concerns about children traveling to/from school by having trained volunteers supervise. With increased school transportation budget cuts, many districts have eliminated courtesy bussing. As a result, the number of students walking/bicycling to and/or from school and those driven by parents has steadily increased. To help reduce traffic congestion around schools, walking school buses offer a practical travel option for those living near school. Many types of walking school buses have been successful, and each school’s WSB program may differ depending on the neighborhood, volunteers, traffic, and school.
This recorded webinar will discuss the purpose of the Florida Safe Routes to School WSB program and bicycle train program, how to identify barriers for walking and biking to plan a safe route, the steps involved in creating a WSB/bicycle train program and determine what type of WSB/bicycle train program is best for your school. This training is based on FDOT’s current Safe Routes to School Walking School Bus Program.
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 walking school bus and bicycle train program.
✔ Identify the benefits of a walking school bus program.
✔ Identify the ways to get your walking school bus program going.
✔ Identify the best approach for selecting a school to participate in a walking school bus program.
✔ Identify resources that will help build a walking school bus program while incorporating safety.
✔ Illustrate how data collection can benefit a walking school bus program and help measure success and opportunities.
Instructor
Jason Jackman is a Senior Research Associate with the University of South Florida’s Center for Urban Transportation Research (CUTR). For over 14 years, he has managed programs such as Tampa’s Safe Routes to School program, as well as other bicycle and pedestrian safety programs throughout the State of Florida. He is a safety advocate and enjoys meeting and working with community partners who share an interest in transportation safety. Mr. Jackman holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of South Florida.
RECORDING
To earn Professional Development Hours (PDHs) or a Certificate of Completion for each recorded webinar, you must view the entire webinar. After viewing, please fill out this web form to request your certificate: https://floridaltap.org/training-and-events/ltap-recorded-webinars/certificate/. The Florida LTAP Center will follow-up within 2-3 weeks with your certificate.
This webinar will award 1.5 PDHs.