The Regional Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Program was launched in October of 2009 and serves a seven-county area in northeast Wisconsin including Calumet, Fond du Lac, Menominee, Outagamie, Shawano, Waupaca, and Winnebago counties. The Program supports schools and communities in creating safer, more accessible options for students to walk and roll to school.
Programming is structured around the Six E’s recommended by the Safe Routes Partnership-Education, Encouragement, Engagement, Equity, Engineering, and Evaluation. These components provide an organizing framework for improving safety, strengthening community partnerships, and increasing active transportation for students across the region.
The Regional Safe Routes to School Program is managed by the East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (ECWRPC) and supported through grant funding from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, which ECWRPC has received since 2010. This funding provides local communities and schools access to resources expertise, and tools needed to expand safe walking and biking opportunities.
East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission’s multidisciplinary staff include transportation, land use, environmental, community development and Geographic Information Systems professionalsthat support Safe Routes efforts through planning, data analysis, mapping, and technical assistance. As the region’s planning agency, ECWRPC promotes intergovernmental cooperation and provides services such as regional comprehensive planning, technical analysis services and local contract planning to help communities plan for a safer, healthier future.
The Regional Safe Routes to School Strategic Plan outlines a five year plan for advancing safe walking and biking for students across the region. The plan guides programming, partnerships, and resource allocation to support our mission of engaging and empowering schools and communities to promote healthy lifestyles through safe and accessible environments
Developed collaboratively with the Regional Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Advisory Committee, the plan reflects input from school districts, community partners, local governments, public health, and transportation professionals. It organizes goals and action steps in four key focus areas-Partnerships and Planning, Education and Encouragement, Workshops and Technology, and Communications. Together, these categories provide a framework for strengthening regional coordination, expanding program reach, and enhancing safety for students.