Minnesota Department of Health (2013).
This document is intended to assist school oficials and consultants to design and implement a radon testing program through: • Planning • Communication • Initial measurements • Follow-up measurements • Reduction verification • Future testing
Love, P. (2012). 48 (4)
This article discusses how hidden money will help you construct and maintain your buildings. Funding possibilities are primary funds, hidden public funds, federal funds, creative funding, competitive grants, and green funding.
McGraw-Hill Research Foundation; Baker, L., & Bernstein, H. (2012).
This brief discusses the influence a school facility can have on student occupants. Also, the brief discusses the important role stakeholders need to take to advance, identify and require research into the connection between school buildings and student health and learning. Resources are provided at the conclusion of the brief for stakeholders to advance research of educational facilities.
National Wildlife Federation (2012).
National Wildlife Federation hosted a multi-speaker webinar which emphasized various approaches across the State of Georgia, at institutions of higher education, to implement sustainable design practices (e.g. green fees at the University of Georgia).
Cooner, S. A., Brewer, M. A., & Fitzpatrick, K. (2012). (5-5470-01-1)
This report summarizes the series of "Traffic around Schools" workshops conducted throughout the state of Texas to familiarize TxDOT employees and partner agencies with two key products from previous research projects (0-4286 and 0-5470) and other tools and guidance that are available for dealing with problems around schools. The research team held half-day workshops in Austin, El Paso, Houston, Pharr, San Antonio, and Dallas that were attended by over 150 participants representing 36 agencies. The workshops were well received and helped to highlight and emphasize the important of multi-agency/multi-disciplinary cooperation in the planning, design, and operation of school sites in order to provide safe and efficient transportation access. One of the focus areas of the project and associated workshops was how agencies can effectively deal with the use of reduced speed school zones around schools.
Yan, W. (2012). 3 (1)
The shifting population trends across United States and Pennsylvania make it essential for policy makers to know the future enrollment trends and school building facility needs. A statewide survey was conducted and questionnaires were sent to approximately 243 school districts in rural Pennsylvania. While the majority of rural school district superintendents reported that the school building conditions were satisfactory, a sizable minority reported their building conditions were unsatisfactory. Many aging rural school buildings are not up-to-date with required maintenance. In addition, many rural Pennsylvania schools will experience severe under enrollment, at times more than 25% below their capacity. The proportion of rural schools experiencing under enrollment will differ somewhat by geographic region. Recommendations are offered regarding some policy considerations that state policymakers and school districts can utilize to improve rural school building conditions in Pennsylvania.
Colorado School Safety Resource Center (CSSRC) (2012).
This checklist, alongside the CSSRC Comprehensive School Safety Planning Elements, was modeled after the USDOE (2007) four-phase model of emergency planning: Prevention / Mitigation, Preparedness, Response and Recovery. In addition, this checklist is a resource for schools seeking to be in compliance with the Colorado Safe Schools Act CRS 22-32-109.1.
Litman, T. (2012).
This paper discusses the concept of accessibility and how it can be incorporated in transport planning. Accessibility refers to people’s ability to reach goods, services and activities, which is the ultimate goal of most transport activity. Many factors affect accessibility, including mobility (physical movement), the quality and affordability of transport options, transport system connectivity, mobility substitutes, and land use patterns. Accessibility can be evaluated from various perspectives, including a particular group, mode, location or activity. Conventional planning tends to overlook and undervalue some of these factors and perspectives. More comprehensive analysis of accessibility in planning expands the scope of potential solutions to transport problems.
Finley, M. D., Ullman, B. R., Trout, N. D., Park, E. S. (2012). (0-6407-1)
This report describes the methodology and results of analyses performed to determine motorist understanding, as well as the operational and safety effectiveness, of automated flagger assistance devices (AFADs) relative to the use of flaggers at lane closures on two-lane, two-way roadways. Based on the motorist survey and field study findings, researchers recommended the use of both types of AFADs (stop/slow and red/yellow lens) in Texas. Researchers did not make any specific recommendations regarding the red/yellow lens AFADs, since the research findings supported the current language in the 2009 Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). For stop/slow AFADs, researchers recommended that a gate arm and alternative symbol supplemental signs be required to reduce violations and improve motorist understanding. In addition, researchers made various recommendations regarding the use of both types of AFADs. This report also describes the methodology and results of analyses performed to determine the effectiveness of 1) five stop paddles with embedded lights compared to a standard, un-lit stop paddle and 2) a prototype, portable, remotely operated, instreet school children crossing sign with flashing light emitting diodes (LEDs) around the border of each sign face. Based on the research findings, researchers recommended the use of one of the following to improve the conspicuity of crossing guards without negatively impacting a motorist's ability to recognize the three critical characteristics of a stop sign (i.e., red background color, octagon shape, and white STOP legend): A stop paddle containing flashing red lights arranged in an octagonal pattern at the eight corners of the paddle. A stop paddle containing a series of steady-burn red lights around the border arranged such that the lights clearly convey the octagonal shape of the paddle. A stop paddle containing a series of flashing red lights around the border arranged such that the lights clearly convey the octagonal shape of the paddle.
Kisel, J. (2012). April
New facilities at South Lake Tahoe, California are making strides in sustainable design. With grant money, research and designed spaces are offering innovative learning spaces for students. The components of school building designs are creatively meeting educational needs.
