Evaluation

SRTS Evaluation provides data and references to help plan for the greatest participation and success in Safe Routes to School programs.  Typically, two types of surveys are utilized to evaluate SRTS programs - parent surveys and student arrival/departure tallies.  PARENT SURVEYS: The parent survey gathers information about factors that affect whether parents allow their children to walk or bike to school, the presence of safety-related conditions along routes to school, and other background information. Results help determine how to improve opportunities for children to walk or bike to school, and measure parental attitude changes as local SRTS programs occur. 

Note: Some Safe Routes to School programs may choose to administer and collate their own survey questions/data, as the National survey does not address site specific problem areas prohibiting walking or biking to school.  STUDENT ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE SURVEY: This form helps measure how students get to school and identify changes in student travel behavior to and from schools with SRTS programs.

OTHER EVALUATION METHODS: The Safe Routes to School National Partnership has created a Safe Routes to School Evaluation Handbook (PDF) which includes instructions and forms for all the above mentioned survey methods, as well as additional evaluation methods, including traffic counts, safety observations, and a parent focus group.