Seattle’s Safe Routes to School program enhances safety near city schools with new traffic measures

Seattle, Washington – Through its Safe Routes to School program, the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) is making major progress improving safety near city schools. Thanks to a set of traffic calming and pedestrian safety enhancements, students across Seattle can look forward to safer and more fun commutes as they return to classes.

Targeted safety enhancements in Ballard and southeast Seattle

Near Adams Elementary, in Ballard, SDOT has placed new speed cushions and curb lamps on NW 65th St., a key roadway where speeding has been a problem especially during school hours. These steps have greatly shortened the road crossing distance, therefore increasing the safety of daily travel for the children. Adams Elementary children helped to choose a vivid “blue mountain” pattern for the curb bulbs, therefore combining community spirit with safety enhancements.

Additional improvements have been made in Southeast Seattle, where reinforced curb ramps and push-button flashing beacons have been added surrounding Kimball Elementary and South Shore PK-8. These projects seek to make crossings safer and inspire more regular yielding of vehicles to pedestrians.

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Extending safety measures across the city

The effort goes beyond one particular institution. This year, SDOT has also rolled out speed cushions and marked crosswalks near several other elementary schools across Seattle, including Viewlands, Sacajawea, Greenwood, and McGilvra. The all-encompassing strategy guarantees that safer crossing places and slower vehicle speeds benefit citywide schoolchildren.

Furthermore, before the end of the year, SDOT intends to expand traffic calming policies to institutions such as Chief Sealth High School and Orca K-8, therefore attesting to a continuous dedication to student safety.

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Courtesy of the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT)

Innovating with traffic gardens and educational programs

Apart from strengthening infrastructure, SDOT is introducing the use of Traffic Gardens. These little street grids, painted on school playgrounds, feature realistic traffic signals and whimsical accents including painted local landmarks and orcas. Away from real street traffic, the Traffic Gardens provide useful locations for students to develop their riding and walking abilities safely. With plans for additional, these are already housed in five schools—West Seattle Elementary and Olympic Hill Elementary among others.

Community involvement and support

SDOT encourages community involvement through various initiatives. For “School Streets,” a program whereby roadways are temporarily closed to vehicle traffic, so accessible only for walking, biking, and school-related events, residents may recommend their schools. Additionally, SDOT offers mini-grants and walking and biking packages to support local events like National Walk to School Day, fostering community-led safety and environmental awareness.

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Complimentary transit and safety campaigns

With free public transit available for all individuals under the age of eighteen, SDOT encourages the usage of which supports sustainable school commutes by reducing fare alternatives for accompanying caregivers. Additionally, the department is distributing yard signs promoting safe travel for which one can pick them anywhere in the city.

With strong fines for violators, SDOT is enforcing a stringent 20 mph speed restriction when beacons flash or children are present in an effort to reduce speeding, especially in school zones.

SDOT is establishing a high benchmark for student safety and community involvement guaranteeing that the school zones in Seattle are not only safer but also more interesting for the younger commuters.