A systematic review of the safe routes to school program: A 10-principle policy effectiveness framework for future investments

Abstract

With more than a decade of investment and an effective treatment endorsed by Safe Routes to School (SRTS) researchers, the United States is still experiencing alarming trends in obesity, walking and biking to school, and school-transport-related crashes. Childhood obesity rates continue to climb, walking and biking to school are declining, and school-transport-related crashes remain a significant concern. This national trend questions the effectiveness of investment in SRTS projects. This study conducts a comprehensive review of 55 research articles evaluating the effectiveness of the SRTS program in the United States through a policy effectiveness framework. Three findings are discerned. First, the existing literature focuses predominantly on studying the relationship between SRTS projects and the rate of active travel to school, and less on investigating pedestrian and cyclist injury and risks, as well as the funding allocation of the projects. Second, the number of research studies evaluating the effectiveness of SRTS projects is disproportionately higher in California, Texas, Florida, and New York. Third, despite the valuable insights offered by the existing research literature, it is evident that the overall effectiveness of the SRTS program on a national level falls short of expectations. This might be due to (i) the instability of program support and effectiveness, (ii) the lack of a reliable and sustainable assessment system, (iii) inadequate evaluation of co-benefits, and (iv) the absence of a consistent feedback obligation. Future initiatives and investments are urged to (a) support testing, studies, and evaluations on a local scale before implementation at the national scale, (b) prioritize the development and implementation of a uniform and mandatory evaluation system from the beginning, and (c) implement a mandatory feedback system from project implementors and users.