After more than a year in the making, the Utah Department of Transportation has unveiled a software program that helps schools map safe walking routes.

The Student Neighborhood Access Program (SNAP) is free. It allows school officials to see UDOT maps of all neighborhood streets. The maps can be customized with stop signs, crossing guards and dangerous areas to avoid.

Robert Hull, director of traffic and safety for UDOT, said the SNAP program not only enhances safety for students on foot, but also could encourage more students to walk or ride their bikes.

"We're always interested in the safety of the kids," Hull said. "With this program, we're encouraging children to get out and walk to school safely."

Verneita Hunt, principal of Crestview Elementary, which serves nearly 600 students, said she's excited to try the new program.

"It's a concern; we want to get the kids out, but we want to keep them safe," she said. "With the help of UDOT, this will be fabulous."

Utah statutes mandate that each school have a safe routing plan, but, according to Hull, that's not enough.

"Even though state code says each school has to have one, they're usually not this extensive," he said.

Hunt said she will be sending the new maps and routing plans home with each student. They spell out areas to avoid.

"This doesn't exist anywhere. It's a model for the state, as well as a national model," Hull said.

UDOT officials said it's important for parents and community members to help keep the maps updated, so school officials will have up-to-date information in neighborhoods that are experiencing growth.

"Schools and communities can let us know if there's a deficiency in the maps," Hull said. "There's a tremendous amount of growth all over the state, and we appreciate input from the community."

tdeans@sltrib.com

Download maps

* Maps can be downloaded for free at www.udot.utah.gov/snap. Parents or teachers interested in creating a customized plan for their area can visit the UDOT Web site, or speak with their school principal.

Most Memorable Teacher

Most people have at least one teacher who stands out in their memories. It could be the teacher who used love and understanding to encourage students, or the teacher who used tough love and consequences in the classroom.

Interested to know what impact teachers have had on local leaders?

Each week the Class Act page will feature one community leader's memory of a favorite teacher.

This week's most-memorable teacher quote comes from Utah Education Association President Kim Campbell, who has fond memories of Bear River Junior High English teacher Mrs. Erickson.

"I realize now that she spent so much time with our writing," said Campbell. "She may have been way ahead of her time with her teaching techniques. She gave me confidence and made me feel OK about my work."

"She always gave great suggestions and was never discouraging. Mrs. Erickson said writing was like talking on paper, and encouraged me to be creative and worry about the grammar later."