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2. Existing Conditions <br /> Introduction <br /> Defining the existing conditions of the study area is an important first step towards creating an <br /> SRTS Action Plan. It documents the physical conditions of the study area, participant <br /> observations and the pedestrian and vehicle norms within each individual school that <br /> eventually decide the issues the Action Plan must mitigate.The existing conditions were <br /> documented through on-site visits, publicly available Geographic Information Systems (GIS) <br /> data, and information provided by each school. Infrastructure barriers and deficiencies were <br /> identified using the policies and patterns of the area around each school community. Using <br /> this information, a school overview was created to define the existing infrastructures strengths <br /> and deficiencies. <br /> A comprehensive approach was used to analyze existing conditions including the collection of <br /> data from site work, field interviews, and area mapping.A thorough inventory of the existing <br /> conditions at each school is compiled to provide a baseline to measure the outcomes of the <br /> SRTS Program. Field assessments and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data were used to <br /> develop the baseline profiles of the existing conditions. <br /> Field assessments were used to assess the existing infrastructure, travel patterns, and user <br /> behavior.This included a thorough on-site assessment of existing infrastructure within the <br /> school zone, and an evaluation of both traffic and behavioral patterns exhibited by roadway <br /> users during drop off and pick up.Staff logged the important features of both the physical and <br /> behavioral components of the transportation environment within the school zone and spoke <br /> with police officers,teachers, and administrators.The field assessments broadly analyze school <br /> traffic patterns, characteristics of the transportation network users, and the existing <br /> infrastructure strengths and weaknesses within the school zone. <br /> GIS data was used to find relevant points-of-interest, crash histories,existing bike and <br /> pedestrian facilities, and walk and bike zones. GIS data was also used to analyze bicycle and <br /> pedestrian facilities and gaps. <br /> Overview <br /> The 13 schools being examined for this study are part of the Orange County school system and <br /> all reside inside or near the Town of Hillsborough.The Town has made improving the active <br /> transportation around schools a high priority. Cooperation between schools, citizens, and local <br /> officials is necessary for improvements surrounding the schools. Figure 2.1 shows an overview <br /> map of the 13 schools. <br /> Safe Routes to School <br /> Existing Conditions Analysis 4 <br />