TRAFFIC SAFE COMMUNITIES NETWORK

1999 Mini-Grant Recipients Quarterly Progress Reports - Summary
October - December 1999

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Avoid the 13 - Labor Day and

see Police ehiefs

Extension of the Avoid the 13

Memorial Day Extension

Assn. Sober Grad-

eampaign program, which currently
focuses on ehristmas and New year's
holiday period, to include Memorial
Day and Labor Day weekends. The

Avoid the 13
Foundation

Project was completed during the previous quaiter (3''" quarter
July-September 1999).

program consists of implementation

of sobriety checkpoints, increased
patrols, and emphasis of DUI
enforcement. (1) To increase arrests
by 10%; (2) To maintain alcoholrelated crash total at or below the

1997 base year level of four; (3) To
maintain fatal collisions at the level of

zero; (4) To prepare press information
for campaign; (5) To place at least
newspaper, radio, and television

stories; (6) To conduct sobriety
Booster Seat Campaign

SAFE KIDS

checkpoints
(1) To compile data on booster seat
use, in SCC, at the onset of the grant

and completion of the first year; (2)
To increase awareness by parents,
professionals, and pediatricians on the
needs of booster seats; (3) To increase
the use of booster seats in SCC by at
least 425 families by providing free
booster seats to low income families

The Booster Seat Campaign gained momentum during the 4“'
quarter of 1999. Vital community relationships have been
developed, distribution sites have been established, and the

booster seat message is spreading throughout the County of
Santa Clara. Although brochure distribution has declined this

quarter due to backorder delays, the campaign has grown into
a visible and viable community program with a potential to
continue far beyond the time and resource limitations of the
grant. TSCN has agreed to extend the grant period until March
15,2000.

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.' project Title' Wi

/• -(Alphabetical Order)
Burbank Street Lighting
Project

. Lead Agency .'
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Burbank

Community Assn.
& see Roads and

Airports

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To improve street lighting conditions

in the Burbank area. (1) To install 45
upgraded light fixtures; (2) To install
43 new light fixtures; (3) To install

one light fixture on a new metal pole
City-Wide Red Light
Enforcement Improvement

City of Sunnyvale

Provision of a safe and effective

Public Works

means of providing red light

Department

enforcement by installing ‘Tat box”
optical devices at 18 of 31 candidate
intersections. (1) Installation of Rat

Box devices; (2) Increased red light
enforcement capability in a cost
effective manner; (3) Increased
citation levels for red light runners
during enforcement periods; (4)
Reduction of red light violations in
non-enforcement periods

All objectives are now complete except objective #2. Of the
43 new light fixtures to be installed, only 15 street light

fixtures have been completed, with 28 on back order and
awaiting delivery. Evaluation of the project for crime
reduction and community safety perception will be completed
after the installation of all light fixtures.
(1) The city’s contractor (Peek Traffic) installed rat boxes at
36 arterial intersections throughout the City of Sunnyvale in
November and December 1999. The Engineering Division
worked with the city’s policy department in choosing
appropriate locations from which the officers could do red
light enforcement by using the rat boxes. (2) The Engineering
Division chose a less expensive model rat box and favorably
negotiated the installation price, resulting in the being able to
install rat boxes at nearly twice the number of intersections as

was originally planned for the project’s budget. (3)
Sunnyvale’s police department has completed baseline
enforcement surveys at intersections where rat boxes were
installed. They are currently working on post installation
surveys at the same intersections to allow for a before and

after comparison of the number of citations issued for red light

running. (4) In addition to the before and after surveys at
intersections where rat boxes were installed, the City has also
conducted public information efforts in order to inform
motorists in Sunnyvale that these enforcement tools have been
installed along with a description of how rat boxes work.
Several articles in local papers and newsletters have also
reached many local residents. Furthermore, 3 warning signs
informing drivers of potential fines for red light violations
have also been posted with the hope that these public
information efforts will help reduce the number of red light
running in the City of Sunnyvale.

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Educational Outreach

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Lucile Packard

(1) To reach a minimum of 75

Three volunteers were trained to conduct educational outreach

Children's Health

classrooms (1,500) students by Dec

Services (LPCHS)

1999; (2) To demonstrate increased

presentation in SCC schools. Eight classroom presentations
were completed during this quarter. Other schools and
classrooms are being scheduled for the first quarter of 2000.

knowledge of injury prevention areas
by 10%

After reviewing results from the first batch of pre and posttests
administered in the spring of 1999, it was apparent that the
results were difficult to analyze due to the inconsistent

Helmets for Kids

questions both tests. Thus, the posttest was revised and given
to 8 classrooms visited this quarter. Results are currently being
analyzed and will be reported in the final report.
San Jose Fire

Department

Holiday Weekend Sobriety
Checkpoints

City of Campbell

Purchase and distribute bicycle
During this quarter, San Jose Fire Department continued to
helmets to children under age 18 in
network with other agencies, such as Safe Moves, MACSA,
San Jose and SCC. (1) Select outreach District Attorney’s Office, and several police agencies in order
opportunities and events to distribute
to plan bicycle safety events, where the bicycle helmets
bicycle helmets; (2) Purchase and
purchased by the grant can be distributed to children. The
distribute bicycle helmets
agency intends on distributing all helmets purchased by
February 2000.
To work with other law enforcement
Sobriety checkpoints were conducted during the Memorial
agencies to reduce the number of
Day and Labor Day weekends. With monies remaining,
DUI-related deaths and injuries
Campbell PD was able to extend the grant period to the
during holiday weekend periods when Christmas Holiday Season. On December 17*, in conjunction
statistics are at the highest levels by
with Avoid the 13 checkpoints, Campbell PD conducted a
conducting sobriety checkpoints
third sobriety checkpoint along with other neighboring police
during the Memorial Day and Labor
agencies; 1,506 vehicles were screened with 5 DUI arrests
Weekends.

McClellan Road School Zone

made. Pre-checkpoint publicity was performed by Santa Clara
County’s Avoid the 13 Program. Various news releases and
newspaper articles were produced.

City of Cupertino

Implementation of pedestrian safety
improvements at a busy school zone
by providing high visibility
crosswalks and reducing vehicle
speeds with the use of crosswalk

warning systems and solar power
speed limit warning flashers.

During the quarter, the agency reviewed specific locations for
the installation of lighted crosswalks with transportation and
electrical staff for electrical service locations and meter

requirements. These plans and specifications were completed
on December 15, 1999. The project will be bidding for an
outside company to contract the installation and

implementation of the crosswalk warning system.

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Palo Alto Pedestrian Safety

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Palo Alto Police

Department

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Implementing a traffic pedestrian
safety program in the City Palo Alto
by developing and distributing
educational materials.

Project Safety

Mexican American

Staff will coordinate with various

Community
Services Agency
(MACSA)

agencies in the pedestrians/bicycle
safety, speed management/aggressive
driving, alcohol/impaired driving
through educational presentations and
dissemination of information to

Safety Robot

San Jose PD

School Safety
Education Unit

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During ihc 4' ' quarter, Palo Alto PD continued pedestrian
enforcement/education (ie. Distributing “Stop for Pedestrians’
flyers and issuing warning or citations) in the downtown area.
October 18-25 was designate “Pedestrian Safety Week,” and
Palo Alto PD hung a 4’x20’ banner on the main avenue

overpass. In addition, staff spent approx. 10 hours enforcing
and educating the community on pedestrian safety. The local
newspaper featured a story on this event.
To date, approximately 3,272 pieces of traffic safety
educational literature has been disseminated to the community
through program/community events and schools. To date, 323
youth have received traffic safety information at various
events. Approximately 311 adults have attended a traffic
safety workshop and 166 seniors have received information on
issues regarding seniors and traffic/pedestrian safety. To date,

approx. 64,000 individuals. The
agency will also distribute child car

about 82 car seats have been issued to low-income families

seats and bike helmets to low-income

and 100 helmets have been distributed to children. In October-

families

November, MACSA staff participated in child passenger car
seat inspections with SAFE KIDS.
Grant recipient has already exceeded project goals for the
grant period. Agency continues to use the robot (“Mickey”)
purchased with the grant to educate children in bicycle safety.
Fewer presentations (only 16) were given during the quarter
due to the winter holiday season. Hence, the robot and its
controls were sent back to the manufacturer (warranty) for
adjustments, repairs, and fine-tuning. To date, 81 different
sites were visited and 101 presentations were given. It is
estimated that the Safety Robot Program reached 16,944

To provide education and awareness
of bicycle safety to preschool and
kindergarten children, and youth of
diverse cultural background through
presentation and use of the safety
robot (probotic or talking robot). (1)
Expand expertise in the use of the
robot; (2) Selection and scheduling
presentations; (3) Provide at least 45
safety presentations

children.

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Santa Clara County Bicycle &
Pedestrian Safety Education

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Sate Moves

Program

Implementation of school workshops,

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During the quarter, Save Moves conducted 37 school

community-based rodeos, and "Train

workshops (totaling 80 workshops to date), 3 community-

the Trainer" workshops in selected
cities throughout Santa Clara County

based rodeos(13 rodeos to date), 1 “Train the Trainer”
workshop (totaling 4 workshops), a bicycle helmet fundraiser
to purchase bicycle helmets for those students who are

financially challenged. Data for bicycle and pedestrian
collisions will be evaluated at the conclusion of the project by
March 2000.

Specialized Traffic
Enforcement Program(STEP)

Morgan Hill PD

Formation and support of a

Determination of current status pending receipt of quarterly

Traffic

Specialized Traffic Enforcement

report.

Enforcement Unit

Program (S.T.E.P.) made up of south
Santa Clara County law enforcement
agencies, focusing on a community
oriented, problem solving,
neighborhood approach to resolving
traffic safety problems. Conduct two
(2) child car seat check ups in South

County cities.
Suggested Routes to School

City of Milpitas

(1) Organize a school traffic safety
program;(2)Perform route

All objectives from #1-9 were completed during the last
quarter. Evaluations will continue until the final report is
submitted in February 2000. During this quarter, the City of
Milpitas had an ice cream party contest to promote
participation in the National Walk a Child to School Day on

observations to identify potential
deficiencies;(3) Develop route map;
(4)Distribute draft map for review by
Committee;(5) Coordinate attainment October 6, 1999. Seven classes were awarded ice cream
of program packet contents;(6)
parties for their support. Milpitas DARE officers attended the
Finalize route maps;(7) Work with
parties and reviewed the safety topics that were presented at
school to develop classroom
the school assemblies. In addition, “walkability” checklists,
curriculum;(8) Compile program
which asked parents and students about the conditions of their
packet;(9)Hold traffic safety
path to school and other general neighborhood information,
assembly at all the schools;(10)
were distributed to all students during the national event week.
Periodic evaluation of program
The City is in the process of evaluating these responses.

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Think First

VMC Foundation
TBS/SCI Grants

Provide education, information, and
behavior awareness to 540 elementary
students using TFFK training
modules, and supplemented by 6

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Performance status to be determined upon receipt of final
report due in February 18, 2000.

coordinator or "survivor"
Traffic Education Awareness

City of Milpitas PD

presentations to reinforce the lesson
Provision of a multipurpose

changeable message sign, which will
serve as an incident management tool,
a radar speed display, and/or a work
zone traffic control sign in order to
create a safer environment

Walkable & Bicycle Friendly
Communities Workshop

Surface

Provision of education and awareness

Transportation
Policy Project
(STPP) & Silicon

of the best uses (and misuses) of a
wide variety of new street design and

Valley Bicycle
Coalition (SVBC)

"traffic calming" tools. Participants
will also learn about new funding
sources available for communitybased projects, and how to become
more involved in local transportation
decision making processes

Due to delays with invoicing, Milpitas Police Department did
not receive the equipment until December 13, 1999. Hence,

evaluations have not yet been completed. During the quarter,
the message sign was used for education and enforcement for
red light traffic awareness checkpoints and a DUI checkpoint.
The agency will continue to use the changeable message sign
for public communication of traffic problems, congestion,
hazardous material spills, or other traffic-related matters. It is
invaluable equipment that will enhance the agency’s efforts to
promote traffic safety.
Six workshops were held in October and November in several
see cities. Workshop attendees included representatives from
city and county offices, schools, PTAs, neighborhood groups,
non-profit organizations, and planning commissions from
around Santa Clara County and the Bay Area. Surveys were
collected from participants from 2 workshops, which gave the
groups constructive information on improving the workshops.
Several newspapers and television broadcasts (including a
broadcast of one of the workshops on cable) and interviews
were covered during this quarter. In addition, several
activities, plans, and proposals have emerged from the
workshop participants. Project is completed. TSCN has
received quarterly/final report.

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