SF Expands School Safety Audits to 10 Campuses

SFMTA to conduct pedestrian safety walk audits at 10 schools starting April 2026

SFMTA Adds Walk Audits at 10 SF Schools in 2026

San Francisco students will see safer routes to school as the city's transit agency expands its pedestrian safety program. The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency announced Tuesday it'll conduct walk audits at 10 schools starting in April 2026, targeting areas where collision data shows the greatest need. The program's already installed 63 traffic calming devices and improved more than 80 crossings at 26 schools across the city.

Program Targets High-Risk School Zones

The walk audit program addresses a persistent challenge for urban school districts: making routes safe enough that families feel comfortable letting children walk or bike to campus. SFMTA selects schools based on pedestrian collision data within a quarter mile of campus over the past five years and student enrollment numbers. The agency's conducted walk audits in all 11 of San Francisco's districts over the past four years, making this an established citywide effort rather than a pilot program. Transit officials said the audits involve staff joining school and community representatives to identify hazards like faded striping, difficult crossings, blind spots, and speeding vehicles.

Ten Schools Selected for 2026 Audits

This year's selected schools span elementary through high school levels across San Francisco. The list includes Balboa High School, James Denman Middle School, John O'Connell High School, Gordon J. Lau Elementary School, Bryant Elementary School, Junipero Serra Elementary School, Saint Brigid School, Dolores Huerta Elementary School, Presidio Middle School, and Abraham Lincoln High School. The program will begin in April 2026 and continue through the rest of the year. Officials didn't specify exact dates for individual school audits or how long each assessment typically takes.

Audits Lead to Physical Safety Improvements

Walk audits translate directly into infrastructure changes around campuses. Previous audits have resulted in speed humps, raised crosswalks, signal upgrades, and enhanced striping near schools. The agency also operates 165 crossing guards serving 96 schools, Safe Routes to School educational programs, and speed safety cameras near schools as part of its broader student safety efforts. Officials said the walk audit findings help prioritize which locations receive improvements first.

Safer Routes Support Transit Access

The program aims to make it safer for students to walk, bike, or take transit to school throughout San Francisco, addressing concerns that dangerous routes force families to drive even short distances. Students who can safely walk or bike to school are more likely to use those options, reducing traffic congestion around campuses during drop-off and pickup times. Moovit provides real-time transit information for San Francisco routes that serve school areas, helping families plan trips that combine walking and public transportation.