UTH

Center for Health Promotion and Prevention Research

Project

STREETS (Safe TRavel Environment Evaluation in Texas Schools).

Banner image for STREETS (Safe TRavel Environment Evaluation in Texas Schools)

Project Overview

The STREETS Study (Safe TRavel Environment Evaluation in Texas Schools) is a five-year (2018 – 2023) natural experiment that is evaluating the City of Austin Safe Routes to School program. In 2016, the City of Austin approved $27.5 million in Mobility Bond Funds for Safe Routes to School infrastructure projects, including protected bike lanes, pedestrian islands, shared use paths, and pedestrian hybrid beacons. Michael & Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living Investigators are evaluating these transformative infrastructure changes. The evaluation includes a comparison/control study with schools in Central Texas.

The City of Austin Safe Routes to School program information is available online.

The STREETS (Safe TRavel Environment Evaluation in Texas Schools) study includes two rigorous approaches:

Active Commuting to School (cross-sectional) study:

  • Participants: 3rd – 5th grade classroom teachers at 95 schools in Central Texas are participating in this project
  • Project length: biannual measurements between Fall 2018 and Spring 2024
  • Measurements: classroom active commuting to school tally and school policy survey

Physical Activity in Children (cohort) study:

  • Participants: following 3rd graders from 31 schools in Central Texas for 3 years (3rd – 5th grade)
  • Project length: Fall 2018 to Spring 2024
  • Measurements: objective physical activity as measured by accelerometers; parent and child surveys; school environmental audits

STREETS Progress Report 2022-2023

STREETS Research Study Video

The City of Austin Safe Routes to School program information is available online.

For more information about this project, please contact:
Sarah S. Bentley, MPH
Michael & Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living
1616 Guadalupe Street, Suite 6.300
Austin, Texas 78701
Sarah.S.Bentley@uth.tmc.edu
512-482-6152

Project Staff

Project personnel are listed below. Click on a name to view the individual profile.

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