Alaska Safe Routes to School

Helping Alaska Students Travel Safely

The Alaska Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Program works to make walking, rolling, and other forms of active transportation safer and more accessible for students traveling to and from school.

The Safe Routes to School approach bring together a diverse set of stakeholders such as transportation, public health, education, Tribal governments, local governments, schools, families, and community organizations to identify transportation challenges and develop solutions that work for Alaska's diverse communities.

From urban neighborhoods to rural and remote communities, Alaska's Safe Routes to School Program recognizes that every community is different. Climate, geography, school location, transportation options, infrastructure, and local culture all influence how students travel.

Our goal is simple - Every child in Alaska should have access to safe, healthy, and accessible transportation options for traveling to and from school.

What Is Safe Routes to School?

Safe Routes to School is a comprehensive approach to improving the safety and accessibility of student travel.

Successful programs combine infrastructure improvements with education, encouragement, community involvement, and evaluation. Depending on community needs, Safe Routes to School activities may include:

• Sidewalks, pathways, crossings, lighting, bicycle facilities, and other infrastructure improvements.
• Walking and bicycling safety education.
• Walking school buses and bike trains.
• School travel plans and walkability assessments.
• Crossing guard programs.
• Bicycle skills and helmet education.
• Community walk audits.
• Student and parent travel surveys.
• School arrival and dismissal improvements.
• Winter walking and bicycling strategies.
• Public awareness and driver education.
• Coordination between schools, transportation agencies, public health organizations, Tribal governments, and local communities.

Safe Routes to School supports Alaska DOT&PF's broader commitment to improving safety for all transportation users and complements statewide active transportation and Safe System efforts.

What's New

Alaska Safe Routes to School Community of Practice

Alaska DOT&PF and the Alaska Department of Health are strengthening statewide coordination through the Alaska Safe Routes to School Community of Practice.

The Community of Practice provides a collaborative forum for transportation, public health, education, Tribal governments, local governments, schools, advocates, and community partners to share information and advance Safe Routes to School efforts across Alaska.

The Community of Practice will help partners:

• Improve communication between organizations involved in Safe Routes to School.
• Share successful practices, lessons learned, and innovative approaches.
• Build local and statewide Safe Routes to School capacity.
• Identify training and technical-assistance needs.
• Increase awareness of funding and partnership opportunities.
• Coordinate education, encouragement, planning, and infrastructure efforts.
• Develop approaches that reflect Alaska's geographic, climatic, and cultural diversity.
• Track progress and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.

Interested in participating?

Please complete the Community of Practice intake form or contact the Alaska Safe Routes to School Program to join the Community of Practice or learn about upcoming meetings and activities. Download the Community of Practice Fact Sheet flyer.