A Contextual Look at Safe Routes to School Implementation in Texas

Abstract

In an effort to understand factors influencing the implementation and outcomes of the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program in Texas, interviews were conducted in 2014 with 34 community-and state-level stakeholders involved in the 2007 SRTS grant program. Participants were asked a series of multiple-choice and open-ended questions about SRTS program planning, implementation, and sustainability. Transcribed responses were organized and grouped according to thematic elements using standard qualitative methods. Results indicate the SRTS program was perceived as beneficial by providing funds for both infrastructure and education projects. Although most community representatives reported accomplishments toward planned goals (improved infrastructure and perceived increase in active commuting), many had significant challenges including lack of communication and up-front funding, and difficulty navigating the regulatory process. Future SRTS programs should be structured to be more compatible with community-based needs and limitations, provide adequate underlying infrastructure and resources, and include at least partial funding up-front.

Effectiveness of active school transport interventions: a systematic review and update

“…Of particular interest, many studies emphasized the importance of having long term follow-ups given that implementation of complex AST interventions may require a substantial amount of time [ 17 – 20 , 43 , 46 ]. Similarly, qualitative evaluations focusing on the implementation of AST interventions also identify lack of time as a key challenge [ 63 , 64 ]. To address the issue of follow-up length, some authors suggested that granting agencies should be encouraged to provide more long term funding [ 63 , 64 ].…”

“…Similarly, qualitative evaluations focusing on the implementation of AST interventions also identify lack of time as a key challenge [ 63 , 64 ]. To address the issue of follow-up length, some authors suggested that granting agencies should be encouraged to provide more long term funding [ 63 , 64 ].…”

“…Lack of resources or unequal access to resources has been noted by many authors as a limitation to AST interventions [ 32 , 63 , 64 ]. In Canada, STPs and WSBs are implemented by non-governmental organizations and lack of support from provincial and federal governments has been identified as a major barrier [ 64 ].…”

“…In Canada, STPs and WSBs are implemented by non-governmental organizations and lack of support from provincial and federal governments has been identified as a major barrier [ 64 ]. In Texas, stakeholders expressed difficulty in navigating the SRTS regulatory process and emphasized that access to SRTS funding was very challenging for low income communities given that no up-front funding was provided [ 63 ]. More generally, WSBs typically rely on volunteers which often makes long term sustainability challenging [ 23 , 67 ].…”

Supporting active school travel: A qualitative analysis of implementing a regional safe routes to school program

“…More pointedly, Mammen, Stone, Buliung, and Faulkner (2015) examined the perspectives of STP facilitators in the Canadian context and reported that collaboration, an organized model structure, and member involvement positively impacted implementation; subsequently, they called for future case studies to examine STPs in greater depth. Atteberry et al (2016) and Cooper and McMillan (2010), meanwhile, examined the implementation of the Safe Routes To School program in the U.S. context, with the former, more recent paper recommending future work investigate the interactions of members within the partnerships and their implications for intervention implementation. Here, we present a detailed evaluation case study of the organizational features shaping the implementation and sustainability of an AST intervention (the STP model) from the perspectives of stakeholders involved, as well as a first attempt to understand AST intervention dynamics using organizational change theory.…”