FHI Studio is thrilled to be the Connecticut Department of Transportation's (CTDOT) prime consultant on their most recent Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Non-Infrastructure Program contract. FHI Studio staff will develop and implement a comprehensive program to meet the following goals over the course of next three years:
- Enable and encourage children, including those with disabilities, to walk and bicycle to school.
- Make walking and bicycling to school a safer and more appealing transportation alternative, thereby encouraging a healthy and active lifestyle from an early age.
- Facilitate the planning, development, and implementation of projects and activities to improve safety, and reduce traffic, fuel consumption, and air pollution in the vicinity of schools in Connecticut.
This program falls directly in line with the SRTS 6Es. The 6Es are education, encouragement, evaluation, engineering, enforcement, and equity. FHI Studio tasks on the project encompass program branding, pedestrian safety instruction, bicycle safety protocol, promotion events, school area walk audits, and SRTS Action Plans for entire districts.
FHI Studio began its work in the Spring of 2024. The first task was to develop a cohesive statewide brand for the program materials and promotional items. Give-aways (e.g. flashing bike lights, reflective bracelets, stickers, pamphlets, etc.) are great conversation starters and informational items for both kids and adults. These items are safety focused and provide website information where participants can go to learn more about the program.
The team planned curriculum for and led educational events such as walking safely on roads with and without sidewalks, crossing at intersections, properly fitting a bicycle helmet, and checking bikes for safety and rideability. In May 2024, FHI Studio staff worked with CTDOT and Bike West Hartford at Charter Oak Elementary School in West Hartford, CT. One task was to fit all 3rd graders with helmets that Bike West Hartford obtained through the 2024 CTDOT Active Transprotation Microgrant. Another task was to teach students essential bicycle and scooter safety. This type of hands-on training not only provides invaluable safety knowledge, but also hopefully sparks a love for walking and bicycling amongst our youngest and most vulnerable travelers.
Marcy Miller (FHI Studio) handing out stickers to rainy day walkers at Jane Ryan Elementary School in Trumbull.
Over the course of the three-year program, the FHI Studio team will continue to participate in Walk, Bike, and Roll to School events around the state. These are considered promotional aspects of the program. In addition to promotional events, the team will work with schools and districts to perform walk audits and SRTS Action Plans.
Another example of work initiated in 2024 was in the Town of Hamden. Here, our team conducted pedestrian intersection crossing safety instruction at Helen Street and Westwoods Elementary Schools, as well as a walk audit for Hamden High School. Walk audits identify crucial areas for improvement for all 6Es, leading to actionable recommendations aimed at enhancing safety and convenience for students.
Leah Beckett (FHI Studio) and Phoebe Mrozinski (CTDOT) preparing to teach kids about the ABC Quick Check.
Falls Village student responses about how they typically travel to school.
In Canton, staff are developing an SRTS Action Plan that will fill in gaps not covered by prior and existing planning studies near schools. This includes recommendations for pick-up/drop-off procedures, parking solutions, and promotion of active transportation to/from schools (e.g. Cherry Brook Primary School).
At FHI Studio, we believe in driving positive change holistically by tapping into our our planning, engineering, and engagement skillsets. We are leveraging our expertise and collaborating closely with local stakeholders to foster safer, healthier environments for students statewide.
Stay tuned for more updates on our progress and upcoming events as we continue to make a meaningful impact in communities across Connecticut.
