SDOT has installed safety improvements at more than 260 public schools since 2015.
The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) announced it has met its goal to make safety improvements to intersections around all public schools in the city.
The goal was established by the 2015 Move Seattle Levy. According to a press release from the Mayor’s office, “Since the Levy’s approval in 2015, SDOT has built over 260 school-focused projects citywide. Safe Routes to School projects often include upgrades to sidewalks, crosswalks, speed cushions, and other kinds of traffic calming.” The city’s 2023-2024 Safe Routes to School Annual Report notes that 28 percent of Seattle students walk or bike to school, and that adding speed cushions has led to a 21 percent reduction in speeds on arterial streets.
SDOT also offers community initiatives that include giving out essential safety items for community and school groups. “Additionally, schools, PTAs, and community groups can apply for grants of up to $1,000 to organize walking and biking activities, such as walking/biking school buses.” Another program, School Streets, has closed off 16 street segments to traffic during school hours to make walking and biking to school safer for children and families.
Safe Streets Grants: What to Know
This year’s round of Safe Streets for All grant criteria come with some changes.
Indy Neighborhood Group Builds Temporary Multi-Use Path
Community members, aided in part by funding from the city, repurposed a vehicle lane to create a protected bike and pedestrian path for the summer season.
Safe Streets Funding in Jeopardy
The Trump administration is specifically targeting bike infrastructure and other road safety projects in its funding cuts.
Rethinking Redlining
For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.
Montreal Mall to Become 6,000 Housing Units
Place Versailles will be transformed into a mixed-use complex over the next 25 years.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Seattle Safe Parking Site to Close, Relocate
A nonprofit leases lots during permitting stages to erect tiny homes and RV safe parking sites for unhoused residents. But the model means constant uncertainty and displacement.
LA ‘Mobility Wallet’ Increased Quality of Life for Participants
The city distributed a monthly $150 transportation subsidy to 1,000 low-income Angelenos. It dramatically improved their lives.
Texas, California Rail Projects Seek Out Private Funding
In the wake of Trump’s cuts to high-speed rail projects, rail authorities are looking to private-public partnerships to supplement their budgets.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions