Revere Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Program Results September 2012 – May 2014
The Revere SRTS Program was designed to increase the number of children walking to elementary school by providing safety training, encouragement programs, on-­‐street improvements to traffic safety, and education to students and their families. Nationally, SRTS programs have increased student physical activity and strengthened communities, while decreasing traffic congestion around schools.

The specific program goal is to shift children’s travel from their parent’s cars to walking trips. The motivations of participants, parents, municipal staff, WalkBoston and program funders have been diverse, ranging from improving children’s health to enhancing community-­‐school connections to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from school trips.

Summary of Results
During its first two years the program has been very successful.

• With all six Revere elementary schools participating the number of students who live within a half mile of school have increased by 100%, 69%, 44%, 11%, 5% and 2%. (See Figure 1 and Table 1.)
• This increase comprises approximately 470 more students regularly walking to school in Revere each day.
• The shift in travel mode has also resulted in an estimated reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Revere of approximately 177.47 tons of GHG annually (to be confirmed by MAPC). Because mode shift programs are so difficult to track at the community level, WalkBoston is very pleased to have the tools and datea to show this reduction.

Read the full report here:

WalkBoston Revere SRTS Results

In writing this Downtown Pedestrian Plan, we were impressed over and over again at the palpable excitement and energy with which Holyoke is revitalizing. This revitalization is both physical – mill building re-use, library and park renovations, Canal Walk expansion and downtown streets re-designed – and societal with civic and public groups coming together to create new forums for all members of the community to work together.

The fund-raising that has and is continuing to fund the revitalization has been a vehicle for bringing together groups and residents who until now have not worked closely together. Today, the City, the Chamber of Commerce and the Innovation District Task Force are gathering forces to encourage local skill building and entrepreneurship as the city revitalizes.

The Downtown Pedestrian Plan calls for the City and property owners to make low cost, easily implementable improvements. Holyoke is fortunate to have retained its downtown block structure intact. The narrow streets, lined with historical buildings create an appealing walkable environment and discourage speeding. Intersections are designed with tight curb radii, and WALK signals and crosswalks provide easy street crossings. Finally, the sidewalks are sufficiently wide and well maintained. Livelier storefronts and a greater range of shops would enliven the walking and customer experience.

Read the full report here:

WalkBoston-DowntownPedestrianPlan-Holyoke