A data model and internet GIS framework for safe routes to school

Safe Routes to School projects are government and public participation efforts that require a variety of data on walking and bicycling safety and security measures of the environment. Urban planners, transportation engineers, and public health researchers have developed a host of walkability/bikeability indexes. However, safe route to school-oriented data specifications, storage solutions, evaluation methods, and information distribution mechanisms are not available. This paper proposes a GIS data model and an Internet GIS framework to satisfy these needs. The data model supports convenient storage and retrieval of diversified walking/ bicycling safety-related data and facilitates the development of various safety indexes. The Internet GIS framework provides a series of Web-based functions such as walkability/bikeability evaluation, safe route-oriented network analysis, data communication, and Web mapping to satisfy the information needs of all users. The GIS data model and Internet GIS framework are implemented in a Safe Routes to School information system for the Sechrist Elementary School in Flagstaff, Arizona.