chapter 1: jefferson elementary travel plan may 28, 2009 · 2014. 9. 18. · chapter 1: jefferson...

Chapter 1: Jefferson Elementary Travel Plan May 28, 2009

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I. The Safe Routes to School Team..................................................................................................................... 3

II. Introduction ............................................................................................................................................... 4

III. Public Input Process .................................................................................................................................. 6

A. List of Education, Enforcement and Encouragement programs already in place........................................... 6

B. Superintendent Letter/School Board meeting .............................................................................................. 6

C. PTO meeting ............................................................................................................................................. 6

D. Teacher meeting ........................................................................................................................................ 7

E. Safety Patrol meeting ................................................................................................................................. 7

F. General Public Input .................................................................................................................................. 7

G. District transportation department meeting ................................................................................................. 8

H. Final School Travel Plan Review ............................................................................................................... 8

IV. Description of Schools ............................................................................................................................. 10

V. School Demographics .............................................................................................................................. 10

VI. Current School Travel Environment ......................................................................................................... 11

A. Summary of in class and parent survey results .......................................................................................... 11

B. Arrival and Dismissal Procedures............................................................................................................. 13

C. School Travel Policies ............................................................................................................................. 14

D. School safety or hazard busing ................................................................................................................. 14

E. Location and times of crossing guards ...................................................................................................... 14

F. Description of pedestrian and bicycle routes once on the school property .................................................. 14

G. GIS Data shapefiles and Maps ................................................................................................................. 15

H. Existing bike or pedestrian plan recommendations.................................................................................... 16

I. School Wellness Policy Objectives .......................................................................................................... 16

J. Copy of community sidewalk maintenance policy, as well as other policies .............................................. 17

VII. Barriers to Active Transportation ............................................................................................................. 18

A. Traffic Crashes ........................................................................................................................................ 18

B. Barriers identified by Parents ................................................................................................................... 18


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C. Barriers identified by Crossing Guards ..................................................................................................... 20

VIII. Creating Solutions ................................................................................................................................... 20

A. Engineering ............................................................................................................................................. 21

B. Education ................................................................................................................................................ 22

C. Enforcement ............................................................................................................................................ 24

D. Encouragement ........................................................................................................................................ 25

E. Evaluation ............................................................................................................................................... 26

IX. Improvements Mapping ........................................................................................................................... 26

X. The Action Plan ....................................................................................................................................... 27

XI. Plan endorsements ................................................................................................................................... 30

XII. Supporting documents ............................................................................................................................. 30


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I. THE SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL TEAM

The purpose of the City of Gahanna, Department of Parks & Recreation’s Safe Routes to School grant is to create School Travel Plans (STPs) for four schools in the Gahanna Jefferson School District: Lincoln Elementary, Jefferson Elementary, Middle School East and Middle School West.

Because each school has unique safety, transportation and infrastructure issues relating to student’s biking and walking to and from school, a separate plan will be developed for each school, instead of incorporating all school information for each Section into one STP. Each of the four plans will be submitted to ODOT as chapters in one document. Jefferson Elementary STP is Chapter 1, Lincoln Elementary is Chapter 2, Middle School East is Chapter 3, and Middle School West is Chapter 4. The specific coverage of the entire project is to develop STPs for each school; their locations in relation to each other are shown in the Supporting Documents: School District Overview.

Each school has a team comprised of Core Team Members, individuals who are working with all schools, and School Core Team members, those on the Core Team for only that school.

Core Team Members – All Schools Name Affiliation Program Area Contact Information

Tony Collins, Director Gahanna Department of Parks & Recreation

Engineering, Evaluation, Encouragement

614-342-4250 [email protected]

Kate Moening Gahanna Department of Parks & Recreation

Engineering, Education, Encouragement


Patricia Kovacs

Gahanna Bicycle Advisory Committee & Department of Parks & Recreation



David Markley Gahanna Bicycle Advisory Committee


[email protected]

Mary Anne Albanese Safe & Drug Free Schools Coordinator

Gahanna Jefferson School District,

Education, Health, Encouragement


Brad Barboza, Principal

Middle School East, GJSD

Education, Encouragement


Kristen Groves, Principal

Lincoln Elementary School, GJSD



Brett Harmon, Principal

Middle School West, GJSD



Lt. Dan Williams Gahanna Police Enforcement 614-342-4240

mailto:[email protected]









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Department [email protected]

David Brizius Mifflin Twp. Fire Department

Education 614-471-8533/0542 [email protected]

Michael Andrako Gahanna Engineering Department

Engineering 614-342-4050 [email protected]

Jefferson Elementary School Core Team Members

Name Affiliation Program Area Contact Information

Roben Frentzel, Principal Jefferson Elementary School, GJSD

Education, Evaluation, Encouragement


Missy Rush Safety Patrol Coordinator Education, Encouragement


Jenn VanHorssen Jefferson Elementary Grade 5 [email protected]

Cathalee Kankiewicz Jefferson Elementary Instructional coach [email protected] Kristin Netting Jefferson Elementary Grade 5 [email protected]

II. INTRODUCTION

The city of Gahanna is committed to ensuring that all our students can utilize physically active transportation, such as walking and bicycling, for a safe and enjoyable trip to school. This Safe Routes to School Plan aims to address the issues that will impede active transportation and seeks to strategically solve these problems by implementing a Safe Routes to School program.

Our community is motivated to pursue Safe Routes to School because:

• We highly value student physical activity and health. • We want to improve the air quality and environment around our schools. • We wish to improve unsafe or insufficient walkways, bikeways, and crossings • We are committed to reducing speeding and reckless driving near schools. • There is a perception of threatening behavior in some areas around schools. • We have a history of pedestrian or bicycle accidents around schools.

o Data from 2005-2007: Jefferson Elementary: 15 pedestrian, 11 bicyclist

The following issues pose problems for safe routes to schools:

• Many of the streets in Olde Gahanna and arterial streets between neighborhoods do not have sidewalks.

• Some neighborhoods in Gahanna do not provide direct connectors to the targeted schools. • Gahanna is situated between the metropolitan city of Columbus and new housing

developments in Jefferson Township which has increased the amount of traffic traveling through during the peak commuting hours.










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• A major highway (670) ends at the western edge of Gahanna which brings increased traffic through the city during the peak commuting hours.

• The Walnut Creek runs through the center of Gahanna north to south and there are only 2 motorist/pedestrian bridges and 2 pedestrian-only bridges across the creek.

The following attributes of Gahanna will benefit us in implementing safe routes to schools:

• The newer neighborhoods in Gahanna have sidewalks on all the streets. • Gahanna has completed a plan to develop a multi-purpose trail along the Walnut Creek

which will provide pedestrian and bicycle access to many schoolchildren in the targeted schools. An initial segment of the trail is being developed in summer of 2009.

• Gahanna has many active community and school organizations which are interested in the well-being and safety of the children.

• The City’s Department of Parks & Recreation is committed to increasing connectivity with the parks system and the community.

• Gahanna is developing the Creekside project which is enhancing the walkability of the city in general.

• The schools grounds have walking paths to provide access from adjacent neighborhoods. • The schools have active safety crossing guard programs. • Gahanna has a safety town program to teach pedestrian and traffic safety to kindergarten age

children. The Parks and Recreation department and local scouting troops have also provided programs on bicycle safety for middle school age children.

• The Gahanna police department enforces traffic laws, especially in the school transportation zones.


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III. PUBLIC INPUT PROCESS

A. LIST OF EDUCATION, ENFORCEMENT AND ENCOURAGEMENT PROGRAMS ALREADY IN PLACE

• Gahanna offers a week-long Safety Town in June for children entering kindergarten in the fall. Each child is taught the basic rules of pedestrian safety, traffic rules, fire safety & prevention, stranger & personnel safety, school bus safety & conduct, gun, water, animal and poison safety. Members of the Mifflin Township Fire Prevention Bureau, City of Gahanna Police and other specialized professionals teach the children using fun, age appropriate materials.

• Gahanna police provide the DARE program to students in grade 5. DARE covers several topics related to alcohol, drugs, tobacco, peer pressure, bullying, friendships and decision making.

• Jefferson Elementary also has classroom presentations and morning joggers.

B. SUPERINTENDENT LETTER/SCHOOL BOARD MEETING

A letter was presented to Superintendent of Schools Gregg Morris by Tony Collins at a meeting in August, 2008, outlining the program and asking for the support of the district administration. Mr. Morris was very supportive, and recommended we present the program at the August 14, 2008 school board meeting.

Tony Collins presented the Safe Routes to School grant program at the August 14, 2008 regular School Board meeting. A handout was given to all board members present, and Tony gave a brief synopsis of the history, purpose and future opportunities and asked for the support needed from the local schools and administration to complete the project at the four schools. All members of the Board and administrative staff present were supportive of the program. Tony Collins presented the final report of the program at the May 12, 2009 school board meeting in order to receive the endorsement of the school board.

C. PTO MEETING

Kate Moening and Tricia Kovacs met with the PTO and Roben Frentzel on November 11, 2008. Approximately 15 parents were in attendance. Kate presented an overview of the SRTS program, the description of the School Travel Plan and our schedule of activities. We also presented the SRTS overview video from League of American Bicyclists. Parents expressed support of the SRTS program.


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D. TEACHER MEETING

Kate Moening presented the SRTS program at a teacher meeting on September 13, 2008. A packet with general program information, Tally Sheets and Parent Survey information was reviewed and discussed, and the SRTS overview video from League of American Bicyclists was shown. Questions regarding Tally Sheet implementation, survey distribution and future funding opportunities were expressed. Teachers where supportive of implementing the program.

E. SAFETY PATROL MEETING

Tricia Kovacs met with the safety patrol and their advisor, Missy Rush, on January 13, 2009 at a pizza party held after the 9 week patrol session. There were 6 safety patrol members in attendance. The students assigned to safety patrol are rotated each 9 weeks to allow more students to participate. Tricia explained to the students that she would like to hear their opinions on unsafe locations for walking and biking to school. Of the 6 students in attendance, 4 often or occasionally walk or bike to school. The students did not feel that there were any unsafe locations on the school property. But they did mention several locations on the routes to schools that are unsafe due to lack of sidewalks and crosswalks. The issues they discussed are included in the next section "Barriers to Active Transportation". The students are also concerned about the amount of traffic in the neighborhoods around their school.

Tricia asked the students if they would be interested in pedestrian or bicycle education and at first the students did not think this would be needed. We discussed types of bike education such as a bicycle rodeo where students could learn and practice skills such as hand signals and bicycle handling and they became more interested. They thought that this should be provided in grades 3 through 5. One student said that they hear "over and over" from their parents to be safe so that they don't always pay attention, but they may listen more to someone else who could share stories about accidents and injuries caused by unsafe behaviors. Missy and one of the students suggested that we procure free helmets to distribute to students, particularly those that cannot afford them.

F. GENERAL PUBLIC INPUT

Non-Parent Resident Survey: The City of Gahanna created a 5-question survey for non-parent residents, business owners and the public that travels through the school’s service area, to collect input about student arrival and departure safety and travel issues they observe. The survey went live on the City website December 19th, 2008, and two press releases have been sent to local papers, and an article ran in the January 15, 2009 edition of the Rocky Fork Enterprise. We will keep this survey on our website through the engineering process, and continue to publicize this public input opportunity.


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Olde Gahanna Community Partnership (OGCP) Meeting: Kate Moening and Tony Collins presented the SRTS/STP project to approximately 25 members at their monthly planning meeting. Jefferson Elementary School issues were presented, as this school is within the OGCP service area. The above survey was highlighted as a way to generate additional public comment from business owners/residents of the area. This committee was very supportive, and requested a follow up presentation in June. They will also put the link to the Non-Parent Resident Survey in their next e-newsletter that will go to all OGCP members.

Gahanna Lions Club Meeting: Kate Moening and Patricia Kovacs presented the SRTS/STP project to approximately 20 members at the noontime Lions Club meeting on April 21, 2009. Dave Samuel (city council member) and Jim Williams (city emergency coordinator) were in attendance. A summary of the school travel plan development process and the schools that are involved in the plan were presented. Jefferson Elementary School issues were presented, as an example of the types of issues which the school travel plan addresses. The above survey was highlighted as a way to generate additional public comment from club members. The club members were interested in the program and asked many questions regarding the funding process and specific examples of barriers to active transportation in Gahanna.

G. DISTRICT TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT MEETING

Kate Moening and Tricia Kovacs met with Bob McCafferty, the transportation manager for the Gahanna Jefferson school district, on December 9, 2008. We discussed several aspects of the transportation policy for the schools in the district related to bussing policy, bus routes and hours of operation, in-district transfer policy and security issues.

H. FINAL SCHOOL TRAVEL PLAN REVIEW

The Jefferson Elementary team met on May 12, 2009 to review the draft school travel plan and discuss the solutions proposed by Stantec and the core team. Those in attendance were Kate Moening, Tricia Kovacs, Mike Andrako, Jenn VanHorseen, Robin Frentzel, Kathalee Kankiewicz, Missy Rush, Mary Anne Albanese and Kristen Nutting. We discussed all the proposals and determined which ones were appropriate and feasible and these are included in the Action Plan section of this document.

We received feedback from Dan Williams prior to the meeting that he agrees with the Enforcement proposals except for the increase in traffic fines and the use of photo enforcement. The current fine for violating school bus passing laws is $500 and license suspension and the police officers treat school zone enforcement as top priority. He also expressed concern with the use of medians, speed bumps and bump outs due to their obstruction to snow plows and impact on response time for emergency vehicles. Mike Andrako also agreed with this concern. The police officers currently use the speed radar trailers in the school zones regularly, but do not leave them too long because they lose their effect.


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Kristen Nutting noted that the school zone flasher was not working at 2:30PM as scheduled. Mike Andrako will verify that the timing and operation of the flashers is correct.

The city is currently upgrading the water lines on Shull Ave and sidewalks will be installed on one side during this project. This is the issue that was identified by the highest number of parents in the survey. The proposal to add sidewalks and curb/gutters was made in 2004 but residents did not support the project. Robin Frentzel hopes that the addition of sidewalks on Shull Ave will prevent people from parking their cars on the front lawns of that street during community events. She thinks there will still be a problem with parked cars on the Jefferson Elementary grounds.

Another Engineering recommendation is the addition of a traffic circle at the Heil Dr and Shull Ave intersection. This location is considered high priority by the team. Mike Andrako is supportive of this recommendation but this may not be conducive to the pedestrian crossing with safety patrol. We also discussed the use of stop signs on Heil Dr at this location but Mike does not like to install stop signs at the through street of a T-intersection. His proposal is to add a marked crosswalk on Heil Dr at this location with a portable sign to yield to pedestrians, which can be placed in the street by the school at designated times during the day.

We discussed other Engineering recommendations such as the sidewalk along Carpenter Rd which is needed but cost prohibitive and not likely to happen in the foreseeable future. We also discussed the crossing of Hamilton Rd, which will be considered when the Hamilton Rd widening project is developed. A crosswalk may also be added when the bike path from the Northeast school to Larry Lane is added. The team did not consider the recommendations for Cherry Bottom Rd and Johnstown Rd to be high priority because those students would not likely walk to school. But Mike Andrako explained that the city will be installing a bike trail on Johnstown Rd in the future from Commission Dr to Cherrybottom Rd and the team agreed that students should be encouraged to use the residential neighborhoods rather than Mill Street south of Cherrybottom Rd.

The team was interested in purchasing safety patrol supplies for the teachers, such as signs and flashlights to direct traffic. The school does need new raincoats for safety patrol students. We also thought that additional signage in the east parking lot to indicate which driveway to enter and exit would increase the safety in the drop-off/pick-up location.

The team was supportive of the walk/bike to school day and the walking school bus. The team is also interested in bike education, either in 2nd grade before they are allowed to bike to school or in 4th or 5th grade when they should be learning rules for riding in traffic. Jefferson Elementary already has a morning walking program and they thought walking outside on the walking path would be a good idea.


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IV. DESCRIPTION OF SCHOOLS

This STP for Jefferson Elementary is Chapter 1 of Gahanna’s SRTS project. The scope of this plan addresses the needs of a single school, Jefferson Elementary School.

Hours of Operation: 8am-2:30pm Location: 136 Carpenter Rd., Gahanna Ohio, 43230 School Enrollment: 488 (as of 12/08) Grades Served: K-5

V. SCHOOL DEMOGRAPHICS

The following are the school demographics for Jefferson Elementary School:

Ethnicity Jefferson Elementary Ohio Average White 70.5% 78% Black 12.3% 15% Asian or Pacific Islander 4.9% 1% Multiracial 7.5% 3% Unspecified 3.7% n/a

Source: Jefferson Elementary School, December, 2008

Student Subgroup Jefferson Elementary Ohio Average

Economically disadvantaged students

17.2% 36%

Students with disabilities 15.8% 14%

Gifted students

Migrant students

Limited English proficient (LEP) students

6.6%

Source: Jefferson Elementary School, December, 2008


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VI. CURRENT SCHOOL TRAVEL ENVIRONMENT

A. SUMMARY OF IN CLASS AND PARENT SURVEY RESULTS

The details of the student tally sheets and the parent surveys may be found in the Student Travel Summary and Parent Survey Summary reports in the Supporting Documents. The following are some highlights from the surveys.

1. STUDENT ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE TALLY

Students Traveling by Each Mode (across all reported days)

Walk Bike Drive (family vehicle or carpool)

Morning travel 4% 0.3% 44.3% Afternoon travel 5.9% 0.2% 40.5% All trips 4.9% 0.3% 42.5%


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2. PARENT SURVEY

A) TRAVEL MODE SUMMARY Walk Bike Drive (family vehicle

or carpool)

Morning travel 10.6% 0.7% 32.3% Afternoon travel 11.2% 0.7% 31.6%

ALL of the children who walk or bike to school live under 1 mile from school.

B) TRAVEL MODE SUMMARY FOR STUDENTS WITHIN 1 MILE OF SCHOOL

Walk Bike

Morning travel 25.8% 1.6%

Afternoon travel 23.4% 1.6%

C) TOP 5 PARENT ISSUES

The following table lists the Top 5 reasons that parents do not allow their children to walk or bike to school, the percentage of parents who had the concern and the percentage of parents who indicated that an improvement may impact their decision.

Reason Affects parents’ decision Improvement may impact parents’ decision

Distance 71.2% 29.5% Traffic volume along route 67.1% 27.4% Traffic speed along route 63.7% 26.7% Sidewalks or pathways 55.5% 29.5% Safety of intersections & crossings

54.8% 28.8%


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B. ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL PROCEDURES

Classes are in session from 8AM to 2:30PM. Students are asked not to arrive before 7:50AM. AM Kindergarten ends at 10:45AM and PM Kindergarten begins at 11:40AM.

The school speed limit signs on Carpenter Rd (in front of the school) are in operation from 7:30-9AM and 2-3PM on school days. The operation of the school speed limit signs is the responsibility of the traffic engineering department, and the times of operation are determined by each school.

1. ARRIVAL

Students arriving via private vehicles and walkers wait outside (weather permitting) in grade lines until 7:50AM at which point they can enter the building. Bus riders will wait on the bus until 7:50AM and then enter the building. A duty teacher as well as a 5th grade Safety Patrol monitors the front of the building. Students enter through the main doors.

Walkers and bike riders in the rear of the building walk up on the path to the back door. There is a Safety Patrol on duty at the start of the path and one at the school door. The bike rack is on the back playground so the bikes can be locked during the school day. Students will wait outside this back door until 7:50AM.

The buses are lined up in the front of the school and in the east parking lot. As the buses leave, private vehicles can drop off children in the east lot and a 5th grade Safety Patrol is on duty to ensure safety.

2. DISMISSAL

Bus riders are dismissed first after the buses have arrived. They are parked in the front of the building and the east parking lot. Safety Patrols are on duty as the students exit.

Each grade level has a stick and patrols monitor that every stick is received prior to releasing the buses.

Once the buses have left, the walkers are dismissed. Students are either picked up via private vehicles or walk home. If students are leaving via private vehicles, we ask that parents who don’t come up to get their children wait in line along the east side of the parking lot for Safety Patrol to help them enter the vehicle. Parents who park in the west parking lot must come up to get their children and walk out to the car with them.

Walkers/bike riders can exit the rear of the building (same door as entering) and leave via the path. Again, Safety Patrols are on duty.


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C. SCHOOL TRAVEL POLICIES

Free school bus transportation is provided to students who reside over 1 mile (plus or minus one-tenth) from the school. Students who live within the 1 mile boundary may walk to the bus stop nearest to their home. The transportation supervisor surveys each route on a regular basis and counts the number of students who use each route.

School policy states that students need to be in 3rd-5th grade to ride their bikes to school. All students riding bicycles to school must have written permission from the parent.

D. SCHOOL SAFETY OR HAZARD BUSING

There is no hazard busing available. Students may request in-district transfer of schools and this is allowed if there is enough room in the new school. According to Bob McCafferty, approximately 200 students have requested transfers and 100 of those were approved in the Gahanna Jefferson school district.

E. LOCATION AND TIMES OF CROSSING GUARDS

Safety patrols are on duty at 7:35-8:00 AM and 2:25-2:45PM. The crossing guards at traffic intersections carry walkie-talkies to their guard locations. There is a guard at the intersection of Heil Dr and Shull Ave, at Heil Dr at the crosswalk by the walking trail entrance and at the intersection of Carpenter Rd and Shepard St. All of these guards use flags to help students cross at the crosswalks, where there is a traffic light or stop sign for car traffic. The guard at the front door collects the classroom sticks in order to release the buses after all classes are boarded. The front door guard also collects the walkie-talkies at the end of guard duty. There is also a guard stationed at the rear door. The guard at the car drop-off/pick-up location opens the car doors for vehicles that wait in line at that location.

F. DESCRIPTION OF PEDESTRIAN AND BICYCLE ROUTES ONCE ON THE SCHOOL PROPERTY

There is a sidewalk entrance to the front of the school from the east and west directions on Carpenter Rd. The sidewalk does not continue in either direction more than a block from the school. This is the major safety concern for parents. There is a marked crosswalk in front of the school at the intersection of Carpenter Rd and Sheppard St. There are also marked crosswalks behind the school at the intersection of the multi-use path and Heil Dr and at the intersection of Heil Dr and Shull Rd. All of the other intersections in the vicinity of the school have unmarked crosswalks.

• Students arriving from the east on the sidewalk are required to cross 2 driveways in front of the east parking lot to reach the sidewalk which leads to the front entrance of the school.


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• Students arriving from the west on the sidewalk are required to cross 1 driveway in front of the west parking lot to reach the sidewalk which leads to the front entrance of the school.

There is one multi-use path entrance to the school.

• A multi-use path connects Heil Dr to the rear of the school. Heil Dr does not have a sidewalk, but has a pedestrian lane on the school side of the street marked with a white line. The lack of a sidewalk is another major safety concern for parents. The path is very narrow, barely 2’ in width until it widens on the school property. The path terminates in the recess lot at the rear of the school, where there is no traffic or parking during school hours.

G. GIS DATA SHAPEFILES AND MAPS

See PDFs JeffersonElm_Property.pdf, JeffersonElm_Service_Area.pdf and JeffersonElm_Issues.pdf for property, service area and issues maps for the school.

1. JEFFERSON_PROPERTY MAP COMMENTS School Speed Limit Flashers - locations and hours of operation

The schools inform Michael Andrako, City Assistant Engineer, when they want the flashers to be on and off. See the schedules below.

Carpenter Rd. AM: 7:30am on, 9:00am off PM: 2:00pm on, 3:00pm off Arrows on Right of Way Flow show direction of traffic.

2. JEFFERSON_SERVICE_AREA COMMENTS None.

3. JEFFERSON_ISSUES COMMENTS Safe Point and Safe Route Recommendations were garnered from Parent Surveys and reinforced at Teacher and PTO meetings conducted for Step 3: The Public Input Process. Details about these issues are listed in Section VII: Barriers to Active Transportation. The “Walker Area (1-mile Radius)” indicates the general boundary that walkers to the school live within. District policy indicates students living outside a 1-mile radius of the school may


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use district bus services to get to and from school. Those living within the 1-mile radius must provide their own transportation to and from school (walk, bike, family vehicle or carpool).

H. EXISTING BIKE OR PEDESTRIAN PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS

The Gahanna Bicycle Advisory Committee developed a Bikeway Master Plan in 1999 to provide a framework for the development of a comprehensive bikeway system throughout Gahanna. The proposed routes (multi-use trails, bike lanes and signed bike routes) in the Master Plan have been updated by the committee in 2009.

The Committee also worked with the Floyd Browne Group engineering firm in 2008 to develop the Big Walnut Creek Trail Concept Plan which proposes a multi-use trail to connect Morse Rd to the north to Pizzurro Park to the south.

Both plans can be found at the following link: http://www.gahanna.gov/departments/parks/bikeway.asp

I. SCHOOL WELLNESS POLICY OBJECTIVES

The Gahanna Jefferson Public Schools has a School Wellness policy and objectives for the entire district. Specific goals that relate to Safe Routes to School include:

Physical Education

The physical education curriculum shall provide sequential instruction related to the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to participate in lifelong, health-enhancing physical activity.

• The sequential, comprehensive physical education curriculum shall provide students with opportunities to learn, practice, and be assessed on developmentally appropriate knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to engage in lifelong, health-enhancing physical activity.

• Planned instruction in physical education shall teach cooperation, fair play, and responsible

participation. • Planned instruction in physical education shall promote participation in physical activity

outside the regular school day.

http://www.gahanna.gov/departments/parks/bikeway.asp


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Physical Activity • Schools shall encourage families to provide physical activity outside the regular school day,

such as outdoor play at home, participation in sports sponsored by community agencies or organizations, and in lifelong physical activities like bowling, swimming, or tennis.

• The school shall encourage families and community organizations to institute programs that

support physical activity of all sorts.

J. COPY OF COMMUNITY SIDEWALK MAINTENANCE POLICY, AS WELL AS OTHER POLICIES

1. 521.04 SIDEWALK OBSTRUCTIONS; DAMAGE OR INJURY.

a) No person shall place or knowingly drop upon any part of a sidewalk, playground or other public place any tacks, bottles, wire, glass, nails or other articles which may damage property of another or injure any person or animal traveling along or upon such sidewalk or playground.

(b) No person shall walk on, or allow any animal upon, or injure or deface in any way, any soft or newly laid sidewalk pavement.

(c) No person shall place, deposit or maintain any merchandise, goods, material or equipment upon any sidewalk so as to obstruct pedestrian traffic thereon except for such reasonable time as may be actually necessary for the delivery or pickup of such articles. In no such case shall the obstruction remain on such sidewalk for more than one hour.

(d) No person shall unload upon, or transport any heavy merchandise, goods, material or equipment over or across any sidewalk or curb without first placing some sufficient protection over the pavement to protect against damage or injury. The affected area shall be rendered safe and free from danger.

(e) No person shall allow any cellar or trap door, coal chute or elevator or lift opening in any sidewalk to remain open without providing suitable safeguards to protect and warn pedestrian traffic of the dangerous condition.

(f) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.

2. 521.06 DUTY TO KEEP SIDEWALKS IN REPAIR AND CLEAN.

(a) No owner or occupant of abutting lands shall fail to keep the sidewalks, curbs or gutters in repair and free from snow, ice or any nuisance. (ORC 723.011)

(b) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.


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VII. BARRIERS TO ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION

A. TRAFFIC CRASHES

The Stantec study includes an assessment of the traffic accidents within two miles of the schools. See PDFs School_District_Accident_Locations.pdf and School_District_Overview.pdf for accident locations and the service areas for all the schools in the SRTS program.

B. BARRIERS IDENTIFIED BY PARENTS

We received 159 responses from the parent survey, which represented 40.3% of the households. In our parent survey, we asked parents for any recommendations to enhance the safety of their child’s route to school and for their child’s specific route. We asked them to be specific with the locations of problem areas. There were many locations which were considered unsafe by many parents. The number after each location is the number of parents who identified the issue. Only those issues identified by 3 or more parents are included.

1. LACK OF SIDEWALK OR BIKE PATH

1. Carpenter Rd (14)

2. Heil Dr between Mill St & Shull Ave (19)

3. Shull Ave (21)

4. Johnstown Rd (17)

5. Cherry Bottom Rd between Springbrook Dr & Johnstown Rd (9)

6. Cherry Bottom Rd between Brookhill Dr & Academy Woods Dr (3)

7. Hamilton Rd between Johnstown Rd & Tresham Rd (7)


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2. SPEED LIMITS ENFORCEMENT NEEDED

1. Carpenter Rd (3)

2. Shull Ave (8)

3. Heil Dr (8)

4. Johnstown Rd/Mill St (5)

5. Cherry Bottom Rd (4)

6. Hamilton Rd (4)

3. DANGEROUS INTERSECTIONS

1. Jefferson Elementary School parking lot – dangerous conditions of drop-off/pick-up in parking lot (3)

2. Hamilton Rd & Worman Dr – crosswalk needed (3)

3. Johnstown Rd & Cherry Bottom Rd – crosswalk needed (when sidewalks available) (4)

4. Carpenter Rd & Shull Ave – pedestrian-activated crosswalk and crossing guard needed (3)

5. Shull Ave & Heil Dr – crossing guards unsafe, pine tree obstructs view (3)

4. OTHER UNSAFE CONDITIONS

Parents also commented on a few other issues. These are:

• Worries about personal safety, including the existence of registered sex offenders in the area (7)

• Need for pedestrian/bicycle education (4)


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C. BARRIERS IDENTIFIED BY CROSSING GUARDS

The following issues were identified during the safety patrol meeting.

1. LACK OF SIDEWALK OR BIKE PATH

• Heil Dr between Mill St and Shull Ave. Cars will cut off the sidewalk lane when headed east on Heil Dr and turning south on Shull Ave.

• Shull Ave

• Carpenter Rd between Hamilton Rd and Shull Ave

• Clotts Rd at Clark State Rd

• Clark State Rd

• Worman Dr at Hamilton Rd

• Existing sidewalks on many streets are bumpy - in particular there is a big bump on Heil Dr bridge over Sycamore Run.

2. DANGEROUS INTERSECTIONS

• Hamilton Rd & Clark State Rd - crosswalk needed

VIII. CREATING SOLUTIONS

The following solutions have been proposed by the Safe Routes to School core team and the Engineers at Stantec to improve the school walking and bicycling environment. Many of these solutions were adapted from the National Center for Safe Routes to School’s online guide www.saferoutesinfo.org.

The goals identified by the Core Team for their School Travel Plan are:

1. Create a safer walking and biking environment within the school service area.

2. Provide resources to increase walk and bike safety awareness for students, families and staff.

3. Maintain a level of awareness regarding walk and bike populations at the school.

http://www.saferoutesinfo.org


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A. ENGINEERING

HIGH PRIORITY 0-12 MONTHS

A separation should be created between students walking within the pedestrian lane (shoulder of Heil Drive) and vehicles to improve safety. It is recommended that the pedestrian lane on Heil Drive be removed and replaced with sidewalk and curb and gutter on the south side of the street. Estimated Cost for 400LF: $60,000

Adequate warning should be given to drivers approaching the school zone. The OMUTCD allows for school Advance Warning Assembly Signage (S1-1 with supplemental plaque) to be installed not less than 150 feet nor more than 700 feet in advance of the school grounds or school crossings. Estimated Cost: $1,000

Sidewalk, closed drainage and curb and gutter should be installed on Shull Avenue from Granville Street to Heil Drive on both sides of the street. The estimated cost for 4,100 linear feet of sidewalk is $550,000 and does not assume right of way acquisition.

MEDIUM PRIORITY 1-3 YEARS

Extend sidewalk 2,500 LF, install closed drainage, curb, gutter and pedestrian bridge on the north side of Carpenter Road from Shull Avenue to Hamilton Road to provide a safe connection for students living east of Hamilton Road. Right of way and potential waterway permitting will need to be investigated to determine potential cost adjustments. A pedestrian refuge crossing island should be installed along with ladder crosswalk at the intersection. This will need to be examined when widening of Hamilton Road occurs. Estimated Cost: $375,000 and does not assume right of way acquisition.

Stripe ladder style crossing and install raised median with pedestrian refuge at Hamilton Road and Worman Drive so that students living east of Hamilton Road have a safe connection to the school. This will need to be examined when widening of Hamilton Road occurs. Estimated Cost: $15,000

Installation of a traffic circle at Heil Drive and Shull Avenue intersection provided curb and gutter has been installed along Heil Drive from Shull Avenue to the walking path and/or Mill Street. This will ensure the safety of pedestrians when the vehicle deflection induced by the circle is constructed. Estimated cost of traffic circle $10,000

LOW PRIORITY 3-10 YEARS

Installation of sidewalk and curb and gutter along Johnstown Road from Cherrybottom Road to Commission Drive. This will provide a connection to students who live in the subdivisions north of Johnstown Road. Estimated Cost $600,000


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Installation of sidewalk and curb and gutter along Mill Street from Cherrybottom Road to Heil Drive provided construction of sidewalk on Johnstown Road is completed. This will create a connection for students who live north along Cherrybottom Road. Estimated Costs: $350,000

B. EDUCATION

1. BIKE RODEO

Bike rodeo is a one day event which includes bicycle maintenance inspection, bike fit and helmet fit, rules of the road (where to ride, obeying traffic laws), bicycle skills (starting & stopping, hand signals, scanning behind, avoiding hazards with quick stops and instant turns), chalk streets (stop signs, intersections, parked cars), fun activities (snail race, serpentine/slolom course). Rodeo may include police on bikes.

http://www.bicyclinglife.com/safetyskills/bicyclerodeo.htm

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

2. CLASSROOM PEDESTRIAN PROGRAM

Classroom presentation which would include traffic signals, using crosswalks, watching for cars at intersections and driveways, being visible, choosing safe routes, minding safety patrol, avoiding parked cars, dealing with dogs. Is this already taught in elementary school after Safety Town?

3. CLASSROOM BIKE PROGRAM

Classroom presentation which would include helmet encouragement, rules of the road, accident rates and avoidance techniques. Program would include video of helmet encouragement and riding safely and lawfully on the road. Other topics include choosing safe routes, group riding, trail riding, sidewalk riding (pros and cons) and being visible. Include stories of famous cyclists like Major Taylor or Lance Armstrong.

4. ON ROAD BIKE PROGRAM

Same topics as classroom program but would include bike rides on low traffic streets or bike trails. Bicycle maintenance inspection and bike fit would be needed before riding. This program could be one day or multiple days.

5. EDUCATE TEACHERS ON BIKE EDUCATION TO TEACH STUDENTS

http://www.bicyclinglife.com/safetyskills/bicyclerodeo.htm

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


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Train teachers informally to teach bike education. Formal training for teachers to become certified bike education instructors through League of American Bicyclists League Cycling Instructor program.

http://www.bikeleague.org/programs/education

6. BIKE MAINTENANCE CLINIC

Maintenance clinic to teach basic maintenance including changing flat tire, brake adjustment, derailleur adjustment, bike inspection and regular maintenance such as lubricating chain. This clinic would be of interest to older children (middle school age) and could lead to interest in other education such as the on road bicycle program.

7. PEDESTRIAN AND BICYCLE SAFETY INFORMATION ON GAHANNA WEBSITE

Develop website with pedestrian and bicycle safety information. This information would include rules of the road, Ohio and Gahanna pedestrian and bicycle laws, safe group riding and safe trail riding, rules for bike lanes and sharrows.

http://www.pedbikeinfo.org

http://www.dublin.oh.us/recreation/bikepath/

http://www.westerville.org/Default.aspx?tabid=107

8. MOTORIST SHARE THE ROAD (WITH PEDESTRIANS AND CYCLISTS) INFORMATION ON GAHANNA WEBSITE

Develop website with motorist rules for sharing the road with pedestrians and cyclists. This information would include Ohio and Gahanna pedestrian and bicycle laws, obeying traffic laws in school zones, school bus laws, yielding to pedestrians in crosswalks and sidewalks, high accident locations in Gahanna, keeping sidewalks clear (shovel snow, don’t block with cars), rules for bike lanes and sharrows.

http://www.bikeleague.org/programs/education

http://www.pedbikeinfo.org

http://www.dublin.oh.us/recreation/bikepath/

http://www.westerville.org/Default.aspx?tabid=107


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C. ENFORCEMENT

1. PURCHASE NEW SAFETY PATROL SUPPLIES

Utilize free AAA Ohio safety patrol program to procure free safety patrol training and supplies. The AAA has new green belts, green flags and poles and badges available which we can order to replace the old orange equipment we are currently using. Organize fundraiser or apply for SRTS funding for new walkie talkies for safety patrol.

http://www.aaaohio.com

2. PURCHASE NEW SPEED RADAR TRAILER

Purchase new speed radar trailer for use around schools to encourage obeying speed limits.

3. PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGN

Publicize motorist rules for sharing the road with pedestrians and cyclists. This can be done through local newspaper articles and sending information home from school for parents. Motorist education should include the high school population and local drivers’ education schools.

4. IMPROVE SECURITY SIGNAGE

Add additional signage to school property indicating no trespassing during school hours. This will discourage older students and strangers from entering school property.

5. INCREASE FINES IN SCHOOL ZONES

Double fines for speeding, failure to stop for pedestrians and cyclists in crosswalks and sidewalks and failure to stop for school buses receiving or discharging students.

6. PHOTO ENFORCEMENT

Purchase photo enforcement equipment to catch speeders and other violations (running red lights).

http://www.aaaohio.com


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D. ENCOURAGEMENT

1. WALK/BIKE TO SCHOOL DAY/WEEK

Also known as “Walk & Roll”, have a walk/bike to school day/week. This event should be promoted at all the schools, providing healthy snacks, media coverage, involvement of parents, community members (including city officials, police, fire), special buttons. In order to allow students living farther from school to participate, set up “Park & Walk” locations where parents can drop off students to walk shorter distance to school. Or include “Morning Mile” program (see below) for students who ride bus, use family vehicle or carpool. International walk to school day is Wednesday, October 7, 2009, but event could be held at another time, or could be held regularly such as one day a month.

http://www.walktoschool.org

2. WALKING/BIKING SCHOOL BUS

Develop routes for groups of students to walk/bike to school. Parents or community members would walk or bike with the students and specific meet times would be established. Park or church parking lot along route allows students who live too far from school to participate. The walking/biking school bus would be held once or regularly such as one day a month.

3. MORNING MILE

Establish walking activities before or after school, during recess or during physical education class. Mileage club incentives can be included in this program.

4. PURCHASE HELMETS

Solicit local businesses to donate money to purchase helmets for students who cannot afford them. Low price helmets can be purchased from Bell Sports ($7.50 each, used by Safe Kids Central Ohio) or Helmets R Us (www.helmetsrus.net, $8-$10, used by Nationwide Children’s Hospital).

5. HELMET ENCOURAGEMENT PROGRAM

Award coupons for free ice cream cones to students who wear helmets when riding bikes to school. Solicit local ice cream shops (Graeters, Coldstone Creamery, Whits) to participate.

http://www.walktoschool.org

http://www.helmetsrus.net


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6. PUBLISH WALKING/BIKING ROUTES ON SCHOOL WEBSITE

The city of Gahanna and the school district developed walking routes for all schools. Update these maps and put them on the transportation section of the school website. Add links to Gahanna bike route maps.

7. PURCHASE NEW BIKE RACKS

Organize fundraiser or apply for SRTS funding for new bike racks for middle schools.

8. MILEAGE CLUB

Contest to keep track of number of trips (rather than number of miles) walking or biking. Students living too far to walk to school can count other trips such as walks within their neighborhood. Students earn awards such as button or certificate when mileage goals are reached.

9. SEND SAFETY INFORMATION HOME TO PARENTS

Distribute pedestrian and bicycle safety information to parents from schools. Information would include links to safety information on Gahanna website or other walking/biking websites, Ohio and Gahanna pedestrian and bicycle laws, safe walking and biking routes for school and Gahanna.

E. EVALUATION

1. SET GOALS AND EVALUATE

Set goals to increase walking/biking to school and perform Teacher Tally periodically to monitor progress.

IX. IMPROVEMENTS MAPPING

See Jefferson Elementary Improvement Suggestions, Jefferson Elementary Walking Routes in Stantec report.


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X. THE ACTION PLAN

Strategy Type

Strategy Detail Time Frame

Respons-ible Party

Status Estimated Cost

Possible Funding Source

Percent of Students Affected

Engineering Install sidewalk on Heil Dr between school path and Shull Ave

1-3 yrs City of Gahanna

Seeking funding

Medium SRTS funding

50%

Engineering Add new advance warning assembly signage on Carpenter Rd 300’ east of parking lot driveway


Seeking funding

Low SRTS funding

100%

Engineering Install sidewalk on Shull Ave between Heil Dr and Granville St


In progress

Medium City of Gahanna

50%

Engineering Install sidewalk on north side of Carpenter Rd between Shull Ave and Hamilton Rd


Seeking funding

High SRTS funding

50%

Engineering Add crosswalk across Hamilton Rd at Worman Dr or another appropriate location (in conjunction with Hamilton Rd widening project)


Seeking funding

Low City of Gahanna

25%

Engineering Installation of traffic circle or crosswalk across Heil Dr at Shull Ave intersection


Seeking funding

Medium (traffic circle) Low (crosswalk

SRTS funding

50%


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)

Education Bike Rodeo 0-12 mos

PTO, City of Gahanna, Gahanna Bicycle Advisory Committee

Under development

None or Low

SRTS funding

100%

Education Classroom pedestrian and bike safety program (including helmet encouragement)

0-12 mos

Jefferson ES, City of Gahanna, Gahanna Bicycle Advisory Committee

Under development

None or Low

SRTS funding

100%

Education Pedestrian & bike safety information on Gahanna website

0-12 mos

City of Gahanna, Gahanna Bicycle Advisory Committee

Under development

None None 100%

Education Motorist share the road with pedestrians and cyclists information on Gahanna website

0-12 mos


Under development

None None 100%

Enforce-ment

Purchase new walkie-talkies

0-12 mos

Jefferson ES, PTO

Seeking funding

Low SRTS, Jefferson ES PTO

100%

Enforce-ment

Purchase Active Speed Monitors

1-3 yrs City of Gahanna, GMSE

Seeking Funding

Low SRTS 100%


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Enforce-ment

Public awareness campaign on motorist share the road with pedestrians and cyclists

0-12 mos


Under development

None None 100%

Enforce-ment

Improvements to drop-off/pick-up procedures and facilities (parking lot and driveways)

0-12 mos

Jefferson ES, City of Gahanna (signage)

Under development

Low Jefferson ES, City of Gahanna

100%

Encourage-ment

Walk/Bike to School Day 0-12 mos

Jefferson ES, PTO, City of Gahanna, Gahanna Bicycle Advisory Committee

Seeking funding

Low SRTS funding

100%

Encourage-ment

Walking/Biking school bus

0-12 mos

Jefferson ES PTO

Seeking funding

Low SRTS funding or PTO fund-raiser

50%

Encouragement

Publish walking/biking routes on Gahanna website

0-12 mos


Under development

None None 100%


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Encourage-ment

Send walking/biking safety information to parents

0-12 mos

Jefferson ES, Gahanna Bicycle Advisory Committee

Under development

None None 100%

Evaluation Increase walking/biking to school and re-evaluate

1-3 yrs Jefferson ES

Seeking funding

Low SRTS funding

100%

XI. PLAN ENDORSEMENTS

See the “Endorsement Letters” section of this document.

XII. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS

Individual school supporting documents are included in this section. In addition, the complete Stantec Engineering report is included at the end of this document, and covers all of the schools in the Gahanna Safe Routes to School program. The Stantec report includes the maps of walking routes and improvements for the schools.