Safe Routes to School
Demonstration Projects to test possible engineering designs
Demonstration projects are short term, low-cost, temporary roadway projects that pilot long-term design solutions to improve walking/bicycling and public spaces.
These projects have been tested in communities all over Minnesota. Projects may include, but are not limited to, bicycle lanes, crosswalk markings, curb extensions and median safety islands. Demonstration projects allow public agencies, community partners and travelers to evaluate potential infrastructure improvements before investing in permanent changes.
Demonstration Project Technical Assistance solicitation opens Jan. 31 for communities interested in testing out a design near their schools from a Safe Routes to School plan, engineering study or other identified need. This funding opportunity also supports demonstration projects to other priority destinations in the community. Consultants will assist the school and community through the planning, design, implementation and evaluation of the project.
Warren Demonstration Project
With 1,500 people and a student population of more than 500, the northern community of Warren, Minn., had 20 percent of students living within one mile of school. The community wanted to make the roadway safer and easier for students to cross, as the road lacked a crosswalk.
The demonstration project at the Warren-Alvarado-Oslo school campus originated from an SRTS plan done in 2020. In collaboration with school staff, MnDOT, project consultants, the city of Warren installed the demonstration project last spring.
 people on the cross walk to the Warren-Alvarado-Oslo school campus
The project’s goal was to make it easier for students to cross Hwy 1 (Bridge Avenue). This roadway had high traffic volumes and speeds, and lacked a designated crosswalk for elementary students to cross northward.
After multiple draft designs, the SRTS team settled on curb extensions across Hwy 1 leading to a pedestrian lane on North 4th Street. They also added curb extensions in front of the high school on Hwy 1 between North 3rd Street and East Colin Avenue. By narrowing lane widths and the distance to cross at intersections, the design slows drivers and allows pedestrians to quickly and safely cross.
The SRTS team surveyed the community about the project sites. A majority of survey respondents said the demonstration projects made people more aware of the school zone. It also encouraged drivers to go more slowly, made it easier for pedestrians to cross the street, and made drivers more likely to see and yield to pedestrians.
The city of Warren will use the experience and data collected to determine possible permanent improvements to make it easier to walk and bike to school.
Safe Routes in the News:
Earlier this year, Sumner Elementary students in grades 3 and 4 were part of a new curriculum titled Walk! Bike! Fun! in Austin, Minn. Derek Picha, the physical education teacher, scheduled this bike unit for students after taking curriculum training during the summer. The bicycles arrived in a trailer, which remained at the school for the duration of the unit. Students practiced how to ride their bikes on the playground. They took a neighborhood bike ride for the unit finale. This was a first-time experience for many students, which was met with some nervousness in the beginning. The neighborhood ride was an enormous success and kids were excited to try out their new skills at home!
Several students at Sumner explained what they learned during the unit:
Dagito: “Wear a helmet and how to use the brakes better.”
Daniel: “A perfect bike is one that you can reach with your tippy toes instead of your whole foot.”
Obe: “Keep your eyes on the road and don’t look at your feet.”
Jaden: “Try not to fall over or go in front of traffic.”
“All in all, this was a very successful unit that helped teach our students many things, from how to ride a bike safely through to the importance of perseverance,” Picha said. “All of the participants are looking forward to next year’s Walk! Bike! Fun! unit at Sumner!”
Join the Safe Routes National List Serve
Use the Safe Routes National Partnership list serve to ask questions and learn about work from across the country. You can either view the history of discussion in the Google group or as emails come in.
You can join through this link if you have a Google account. If not, you can email Brittany at brittany@saferoutespartnership.org and she can add you.
Upcoming events:
Feb. 3, 10-11 a.m. – MN SRTS Network Call
May 4, 2022 - Bike to School Day
Resources
Order free MN Bike Maps and MN Bicycle Handbooks for your organization’s events!
Walk! Bike! Fun! curriculum, bike fleet trailer request and future training opportunities.
More about MnSRTS
Visit mnsaferoutestoschool.org
Follow us on Facebook! facebook.com/MinnesotaSafeRoutestoSchool/
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