SPEEDING DRIVERS IN ACTIVE SCHOOL ZONES – OPT-IN SURVEY
Background: In May 2022 the Washington Traffic Safety Commission (WTSC) conducted a statewide speeding observation survey, which included an active school zone. The team recorded the speeds of 143 vehicles driving through the active school zone. Only two vehicles were traveling within the 20 mph posted limit. Over 80% of vehicles were exceeding the speed limit by six miles per hour or more, including parents leaving the drop-off area and school bus drivers.
Opportunity: The WTSC will be conducting a driver speed survey at select schools in the fall of 2022 or spring of 2023! Schools who opt-in will be provided actionable data on the driver speeding problem in their school zones. Schools who opt-in will also have the option to have data collected just outside active school zones, but within the defined school walk area.
How do we opt-in? Opting in to this special, one-time survey is really easy! All you have to do is email Mandie Dell, WTSC Program Manager, mdell@wtsc.wa.gov expressing your school’s interest in obtaining driver speeding data in your active school zones. Just provide the name of the school, address, and a primary contact person.
What’s next? The first step is opting-in to the survey. Once the WTSC has a better idea of the number and location of schools interested in this opportunity, we will identify if the survey will occur in fall 2022 or spring 2023. Participating schools will then be contacted with specific dates, times, and next steps for collecting the speed data.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it cost to participate?
All costs associated with the survey are being covered by WTSC with funding from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Will the survey take place on school property?
No, the survey team will identify observation locations on public roads with active school zones, and on public roads in school walk areas.
What effort is required from school staff?
WTSC staff will schedule a time with school staff to discuss concerns about speeding in your active school zones and hear feedback on what needs to be collected. Following the survey, schools may request a 1-1 results debriefing.
What do we get for participating?
The WTSC will compile the data collected and provide schools with a personalized summary document that can be used in grant applications, parent communications, and board/council hearings. WTSC staff can further assist with implementing measures to curb speeding in your school zones.
School Walk Route Improvement Project Grants
The Washington Traffic Safety Commission administers state and federal funds focused on improving safety for walkers and/or rollers in Washington State.
We are not currently accepting applications for this funding. Please check back for updates about future opportunities.
Who Qualifies
- Washington State agencies
- Federally recognized tribal governments
- Cities, counties, and their sub-agencies
- Non-profit organizations with existing IRS 501(c) (3) status
- Public schools (and private schools with non-profit status)
What’s Eligible For Funding?
These funds can be used to support the following types of projects:
- Automated (photo) speed enforcement.
- Crossing guard program improvement – student safety patrols.
- Pedestrian and/or bicycle safety audit.
- Preliminary engineering studies and designs.
- Quick build/pop-up traffic calming for school zones and school pick-up and drop-off areas.
- Reducing illegal passing of school buses.
- School walk area maps and school walk route plans – developing and updating.
- Walk/Bike to school encouragement activities.
- Yellow flashing warning lights and other signage improvement (including pedestrian actuated beacon, rectangular rapid flashing beacons and other similar devices).
- Other school zone safety efforts.
Multiple responses may be submitted by a Responder, but a separate and complete response is required for each type of project.
School Zone Crossing Guard Grants
To help children walk and bike to school safely, each year we offer reimbursement grants to assist with crossing guard equipment.
We offer mini-grants up to $300 to existing patrols to help with training materials, equipment, and supplies for school zone crossing guards. This includes flags, cones, signs, whistles, vests, raincoats, gloves, and hats.
New school patrols – we are offering up to $500 for schools starting new patrols. Please contact us to discuss your plans before submitting your application.
AAA of Washington provides training support for crossing guard programs in Washington State. To be sure you receive the most current information, please make sure your crossing guard program is registered with them with up-to-date information. To register a new program or update your existing registration information, please contact Kelly Just at kelly.just@aaawa.com.
Who Qualifies
To qualify for this grant, the application must be from a public, private or tribal elementary or middle school.
What’s Typically Funded
We fund training materials, equipment and supplies for school zone crossing guards. Allowable equipment includes flags, cones, signs, whistles, vests raincoats, gloves, and hats.
Your application must demonstrate how the requested items will directly benefit the crossing guard program. We are unable to approve items intended to assist with other purposes, such as social distancing.
How to Apply
Step 1 - Log-on to WEMS
- Go to WEMS (WTSC Enterprise Management System) https://wtsc.smartsimple.com
Step 2 - Organization Name
- If you are a new user you will need to register for School Grants on the left hand side of the screen.
- Enter your organization (school) name and proceed with your contact information and submit.
- You will receive an email with login instructions within an hour (be sure to check your junk mailbox).
Step 3 - Email Received
- After you receive your email, log into WEMS and click “Start Proposal” next to Crossing Guard (School Zone) under “Call for Proposals”. (Check your junk mailbox).
Step 4 - Start Application Process
- Be sure to start the application process by clicking “SAVE DRAFT.” You’ll see a link to a document called “Guidelines/Instructions” where you’ll see more details about the application process.
- Write a brief description of how the equipment your wish to purchase with support school zone safety in the “Grant Justification” section.
Step 5 - Upload Information and Submit
- Enter the desired items you wish to purchase (only items selected here will be eligible for reimbursement).
- Upload quotes for the equipment you wish to purchase. Maximum reimbursement is $300.
- Submit your proposal.
Step 6 - Approval
- Once your application is approved, you will receive an email confirmation and a copy of the A-19 form that you will need to submit after your equipment has been purchased.
Deadlines: Grants for the 2022-2023 school year opened on August 1, 2022. Each elementary and middle school is eligible to receive one grant per school year. The grant will close on April 30, 2023.
How to Get Your Reimbursement
After you receive your equipment, send us your completed A-19 form and proof of purchase within 60 days of approval date. WTSC will reimburse the requesting agency/school district for the expenses incurred (up to $300). WTSC will not reimburse individuals.
Questions
Contact us at schoolzone@WTSC.wa.gov
Or contact Mandie Dell if you need any assistance with your application.
mdell@wtsc.wa.gov
Phone: (360) 725-9883
Fax: (360) 586-6489
Law Enforcement Grants
for School Zones
We assist law enforcement agencies throughout Washington by providing funds for traffic safety law enforcement equipment. These grant funds can be used to purchase radar, rain gear, and other equipment that is used to enforce school zone speed limits and keep kids safe on their way to school.
To qualify for this grant, you must be a law enforcement officer who is actively enforcing traffic safety in school zones.
Who Qualifies
Law enforcement agencies writing school zone tickets under RCW 46.61.440 are eligible for grants for police equipment used to enforce school zone traffic laws. Each ticket written in a school zone is worth $25 towards the purchase of approved equipment (up to a maximum of $10,000 per agency each school year).
What is typically funded
Approved for funding: Radars, LIDARs, speed feedback signs, and heavy weather gear for motorcycle enforcement.
NOT approved for funding: Motor vehicles (cars), motorcycles, cargo trailers, SECTOR equipment, maintenance expenses, and additional warranties.
How to Apply
Step 1 - Log-on to WEMS
- Go to WEMS (WTSC Enterprise Management System) – https://wtsc.smartsimple.com
Step 2 - Organization Name
- If you are a new user you will need to register for School Grants on the left hand side of the screen.
- Enter your organization (law enforcement agency) name and proceed with your contact information and submit.
- You will receive an email with login instructions within an hour (be sure to check your junk mailbox).
Step 3 - Email Received
- After you receive your email, log into WEMS and click “Start Proposal” next to Law Enforcement Grants (School Zone) under “Call for Proposals”.
Step 4 - Start Application Process
- Be sure to start the application process by clicking “SAVE DRAFT.” You’ll see a link to a document called “Guidelines/Instructions” where you’ll see more details about the application process.
- Write a brief description of how the equipment your wish to purchase with support school zone safety in the “Grant Justification” section.
Step 5 - Upload Information & Submit
- Enter the desired items you wish to purchase (only items selected here will be eligible for reimbursement).
- Upload quotes for the equipment you wish to purchase.
- Upload an infraction log or SECTOR report with the appropriate number of school zone NOIs for your request. Infractions may be no older than 12 months from the date of your request.
- Each NOI is worth $25 towards purchase of equipment including: Radars, LIDARs, speed feedback signs, heavy weather gear for motorcycle enforcement, and computer hardware/software that enables faster or more efficient processing of school zone violations.
- Submit your proposal.
Step 6 - Approval
- Once your application is approved, you will receive an email confirmation and a copy of the A-19 form that you will need to submit after your equipment has been purchased.
Deadlines: Grants for the 2022-2023 school year opened on August 1, 2022 and will close on April 30, 2023.
How to Get Your Reimbursement
After you receive your equipment, send us your completed A-19 form and proof-of-purchase within 60 days of approval date. Your agency will be reimbursed upon receipt of complete documentation.
Questions
Contact us at schoolzone@WTSC.wa.gov
Or contact Mandie Dell if you need any assistance with your application.
mdell@wtsc.wa.gov
Phone: (360) 725-9883
Fax: (360) 586-6489
