AGENDA ITEM EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
ITEM TITLE*
title
Adopt the Safe Routes to School Action Plan
presenter
RESPONSIBLE STAFF, TITLE, DEPARTMENT*
Alyson West, Safe Routes to School Coordinator, Planning Department
Bergen Watterson, Mobility and Greenways Manager, Planning Department
STAFF RECOMMENDATION*
Staff recommends that Council adopt the Safe Routes to School Action Plan.
body
BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT*
Chapel Hill was awarded a Safe Routes to School Non-Infrastructure Grant <https://connect.ncdot.gov/projects/BikePed/Pages/Non-Infrastructure-Alternatives-Program.aspx> by the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) in 2023, and funds from this grant were used to create the Town’s first Safe Routes to School Action Plan. It contains recommendations for 14 elementary, middle, and high schools in Chapel Hill for:
• programs
• policies
• infrastructure improvements
A “quick-build” demonstration project is included for each school to test new ideas and garner support for implementation.
The Plan will support strategic efforts to fund and implement a multipronged approach to improve walking, biking, and rolling to school in Chapel Hill.
This Safe Routes to School Action Plan will be an appendix to the Triangle West Vision Zero Action Plan <https://www.dchcmpo.org/what-we-do/programs-plans/safety-security> enabling Town staff to include infrastructure recommendations in future Safe Streets for All Implementation or Demonstration grant applications.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The Plan was funded through the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Grant. The SRTS Grant supports staff and resources to implement programming and policy recommendations. No funds are currently identified for implementing infrastructure projects. The Town was awarded a 2024 Federal Safe Streets for All Grant to design and implement the demonstration projects in the plan; however, this grant is currently frozen. Staff will work to identify opportunities to implement infrastructure recommendations through other Town projects, grant funding, or collaboration with the school district.
ATTACHMENTS
Safe Routes to School Action Plan_Executive Summary
Safe Routes to School Action Plan_Full Plan
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A RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL ACTION PLAN (2025-06-11/R-7)
WHEREAS, the Town received a Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Grant in 2023 and had a goal to create the Town’s first Safe Routes to School Action Plan; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Chapel Hill’s 2020 Mobility and Connectivity Plan calls for increased engagement to support students walking and biking to school; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Chapel Hill adopted a Vision Zero resolution in 2021 that aims to eliminate traffic deaths and serious injuries on our roadways by 2031; and
WHEREAS, the SRTS Action Plan contains recommendations for policies, programs, and infrastructure improvements that will improve walking, biking, and rolling to schools in Chapel Hill; and
WHEREAS, SRTS has a positive impact on the health and well-being of students, families, and the community overall; and
WHEREAS, by focusing on schools and making it safer and more convenient for young people to get around without a car, the Town can ultimately make Chapel Hill’s transportation system safer for everyone; and
WHEREAS, the SRTS Action Plan will be incorporated as an appendix to the Triangle West Transportation Planning Organization’s Vision Zero Action Plan, enabling the Town to apply for Safe Streets for All Implementation and Demonstration grant funding to implement the infrastructure recommendations;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council hereby adopts the Safe Routes to School Action Plan as described in the June 11, 2025 meeting materials, incorporating the plan’s recommendations, as appropriate.
This, the 11th day of June, 2025.
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