School drop off infrastructure changes

It’s tough to walk or bike — or even carpool — to school when the street outside becomes congested with vehicles at drop-off and pick-up time and the cars that aren’t idling are driving too fast. Sixth-graders at Christ the King School in Rutland, VT, took matters into their own hands in the 2017-18 school year, with help from VEEP educator Laura MacLachlan. The 6th grader students observed and documented issues with the drop-off location, then redesigned the intersection with help from Local Motion, the statewide bike and pedestrian advocacy organization. After the team of youth leaders presented their plan to the town’s traffic safety committee, the Rutland Department of Public Works gave them permission to temporarily change the traffic trouble spots with curb extensions and asphalt painting in a “pop-up” traffic safety project. Students also installed a new bike rack.The “pop-up” transportation safety pilot was installed in August 2018, and left in place for 10 days. During that time, the students worked with the Rutland Regional Planning Commission to collect data on traffic volume and traffic changes. In spring of 2019, the student group is working on a school travel plan, recruiting members for the new “safety patrol,” and presented with Local Motion at the Safe Routes to School conference as well as sharing their story. Check it out!