Resources for Schools/Campuses

Why your school should have a travel plan:

A School Travel Plan is a document that outlines how to improve busing, carpooling, walking and bicycling conditions surrounding a campus to increase the likelihood of students and visitors using active transportation safely. It outlines short and long·term solutions for safer travel to and from campus.

Consider drafting a Travel Plan using the suggestions in this toolkit, tailoring them to your campus’ logistical needs. Creating a safe campus can help decrease traffic congestion, enable you to enroll more students and improve the quality of life of students by promoting physical activity. There are multiple ways in which schools can promote physical activity year·round, for example supporting monthly themed events.

How much time will it take?

Creating your plan won’t take long – all it takes is one motivated administrator, teacher, Parent Teacher Organization or Parent Teacher Association to kick things off. Many programs can be designed and run by volunteers, however they must be sustainable. This toolkit provides a menu of options for your school community.

How schools can improve the health and well-being of students:

  1. Implement and maintain daily physical education programs.
  2. Provide opportunities for regular physical activity such as outdoor recess.
  3. Ensure school vending machines and stores carry fruit, vegetables and healthy snacks.

Wellness programs have demonstrated the following skill improvements in children:

Concentration and attention – Problem solving and memory – Creativity, competition and cooperation – Reaction time and motor skills – Self·esteem – Increased energy

How to Implement at Travel Plan

First understand the busing, carpooling, walking and bicycling environment at the school(s), and identify barriers and supports by answering the following questions:

  • How many students currently walk and bike to school?
  • How do parents and caregivers feel about children doing so?
  • Have there been recent safety incidents or concerns relative to students walking or biking to school?
  • What safety hazards or risks do students face when traveling to school (walking on or crossing a roadway)?

The following strategies can help alleviate congestion and improve safety:

  • Establish and communicate drop-off and pick-up protocol to students, parents and staff.
  • Introduce formal programs for student loading, for example a Kiss-And-Go Program or Pick-Up Card system.
  • Separate bus and parent loading zones.
  • Install visible signage to demarcate zones and their intended use.
  • Use separate entrances for grade levels.
  • Increase the number of curbside assistants present during loading.
  • Design a Crossing Guard program to assist pedestrians.
  • Promote the formation of walking school buses and bicycle trains with parent supervision.
  • Encourage parents to meet children or park offsite.
  • Designate walking and/or biking lanes.
  • Identify storage locations for bikes and scooters, such as bike racks.

Travel Plan Guides

Check out the guides below to help you complete your school's Travel Plan.

Get help evaluating hazards and the safety of your campus:

  • To evaluate hazards, school bus loading zones, signage on school property and to determine safe routes near construction areas please contact the DPS Transportation Safety and Training Department at 720-423-4631.
  • To report maintenance needs on your campus please contact DPS Facility Management at 720-423-4020.

Evaluate Potential Hazards:

The DPS Transportation Department establishes school walk route plans and evaluates them for hazards associated with walking on or along, or crossing roadways. The level of hazard exposure relates to children’s ages, the speed and volume of vehicular traffic, and locations and types of walkways. A combination of factors could qualify locations for DPS Transportation services.
 

Suggested Timeline for Implementing a Travel Plan

June: Develop a school travel plan using the strategies outlined in this toolkit.
July: Develop a strategic communications plan to notify parents and students of travel plan.
August: Communicate to parents through mailers and school registration, safety tips and guidelines that establish proper pick-up and drop-off protocol outlined in the school travel plan established for your school. This time should also be used to establish parent volunteers to implement any of the various commuting programs.