Laredo ISD signs on to Vision Zero safe‑routes pilot for six campuses; grant covers cost

Laredo ISD staff told trustees the district is participating in a Vision Zero regional pilot to study safe routes to school for six campuses, with grant funding covering the work.

The pilot will analyze arrival and dismissal patterns, traffic signage and sidewalk conditions within a quarter‑mile radius of selected schools. Staff said the pilot team began fieldwork at Sanchez Ochoa, Gallego and Heights, with Martin High School, the 4 Corners area and Leyendecker scheduled for the next day. The project is funded through a Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant and the district will not incur costs for the pilot work.

Doctor Perez said the district worked with city traffic staff and campus principals to prioritize 13 candidate schools and narrowed the pilot to six based on traffic data and campus requests. The pilot team will debrief with district staff after fieldwork and provide recommendations; staff said implementation of recommendations—such as new crossing signs, timing changes or engineered improvements—would be a separate decision and could involve city or county partners.

Trustees suggested exploring signage tailored to populations such as students with autism (for example, an “Autism zone” runner sign) and asked that pilot findings consider those needs.

Next steps: the pilot team will present recommendations at a scheduled debrief; district staff will evaluate recommended actions and partner with city/county agencies for implementation where appropriate.