MnDOTPlanning Assistance Awards and Non-Infrastructure Implementation Grants

Applicants VideoconferenceJanuary 17, 2013

MnDOT funding began in 2005 with federal transportation bill (SAFETEA-LU)

This solictation uses remaining SAFETEA-LU funds

Future federal funding is not guaranteed but some will likely be available for FY2015-16

History of SRTS at MnDOT

Planning assistance◦ For schools that do not have a SRTS plan◦ School-based ◦ Can be for multiple schools

Non-infrastructure implementation◦ Education, encouragement, enforcement, evaluation◦ For schools with assessments and identified goals◦ Can be district-wide, city-wide or regional

Infrastructure implementation◦ School-based◦ Physical improvements to improve safety or increase

bicycling and walking to school

Three types of grants

Review the applications for three grant types

Highlight key differences and important requirements

Answer questions

Today We’ll:

Application went out in October

Application due Friday, February 15 via email to SafeRoutes.DOT@state.mn.us

Awards announced in April or May

Key Dates

http://www.dot.state.mn.us/saferoutes/

SRTS Steering Committee American Cancer Society American Heart Association Bicycle Alliance of MN Blue Cross and Blue Shield

of MN City of Alexandria City of Mankato Federal Highway

Administration Fond du Lac Reservation MN Department of

Education MN Department of Health MN Department of Public

Safety

MN Department of Transportation

MN Safety Council Minneapolis Public Schools Minnesota Pollution Control

Agency Olmsted County Public

Health Public Health Law Center Red Pine Elementary

School Upper Minnesota Valley

Regional Development Commission

Statewide resources◦ Trainings ◦ Curriculum◦ Technical assistance

Grants ◦ SRTS planning

assistance for schools◦ Local implementation

grants

Non-Infrastructure Focus Areas

Planning Assistance Purpose Identify issues and

infrastructure and non-infrastructure solutions

Planning process includes assessment, vision and goal setting, public engagement, and action plan

Time frame for plan development is one year

Planning assistance for K-8 schools via:◦ Regional Development

Commission (RDC)◦ Metropolitan Planning

Organization (MPO)◦ MnDOT-selected

Planning Consultant

Planning Assistance Awards

Minnesota’s RDCs & MPOs

Map available at:http://www.dot.state.mn.us/planning/program/MPORDC.html

Detailed instructions◦ Completed app form◦ Application questions

1-7◦ 1-pg map◦ Letter of support from

each school site◦ Add’l info◦ Budget from RDC or

MPO

Planning Assistance Award: Application

Provide grants to local schools for non-infrastructure implementation:◦ Education◦ Encouragement◦ Enforcement◦ Evaluation

Emphasis on planning, evaluation and sustainability

Ultimate goal: get more kids walking and biking

Non-Infrastructure Implementation Grants Purpose

Creating and distributing maps of “safe routes” to school

Staff time for a SRTS coordinator or stipend for volunteer

Crossing guard training and equipment Staff time related to district-wide policy changes Events – best if they are ongoing or tied to other

elements (i.e. not one stand-alone event) Equipment supportive of implementing education,

encouragement or enforcement Bicycle and pedestrian curriculum (relates to MnDOT

curriculum pilot project)

Examples of Non-Infrastructure Projects

Same items from Planning Assistance application, and ◦ Presence of prior

planning◦ Resolution of Support◦ Prioritized Budget

Non-Infrastructure Implementation Grants: Application

Key differences:◦ Presence of prior

planning?◦ Prioritized by broader

activities in budget◦ Resolution of support

from governing body

Non-Infrastructure Implementation Grants: Application (Cont’d)

SRTS Infrastructure GrantThe application is available on the MnDOT SRTS website.

• Require download of filler program

Criteria:• Comprehensive

approach• Engineering strategy• Community support

Required Sponsor resolution of support

State Aid City or County Maps of existing and proposed Letters of concurrence from

schools and road authority Baseline student and parent

survey data Project information – plan view

sheet, cost estimate, and typical sections

SRTS Infrastructure Grant cont.

Lisa AustinMinnesota Department of Transportation

saferoutes.dot@state.mn.us651-366-4193

Questions?