(PSS) — The Public School System successfully conducted school traffic vulnerability assessments at all public school campuses across Saipan, Tinian, and Rota to enhance student safety and improve traffic conditions in and around school zones.
The assessments began earlier this month on Saipan and concluded last week with site visits on Tinian and Rota. This proactive effort is being led by PSS Emergency Operations Manager Anthony Frank, in close collaboration with the Board of Education, the Department of Public Works, the Department of Public Safety, and the respective mayor’s offices.
This effort serves as a follow-up to the school vulnerability assessments conducted in September, where broader safety and emergency preparedness conditions were evaluated at school campuses. Building on those findings, PSS convened a collaborative partner agency meeting in November, during which participating agencies collectively identified school traffic safety as a priority area and agreed to move forward with focused school traffic vulnerability assessments.
These are designed to identify traffic-related safety concerns that affect students, staff, families, and the surrounding community during peak arrival and dismissal times. Through on-site observations and data collection, teams are evaluating traffic flow, signage, pedestrian safety, and overall road conditions near school campuses.
Preliminary observations have identified several recurring challenges, including vehicles speeding through school zones, the absence or inconsistency of clearly marked school zone traffic signs, and traffic congestion caused by limited or unsafe alternative routes for motorists. In some areas, schools lack adequate pedestrian infrastructure, such as painted crosswalks, pedestrian pathways, warning signage, or crossing signals, making it more difficult for students to cross roadways safely.
Additionally, some campuses face challenges related to limited traffic-guiding manpower during high-traffic periods, which can further impact the safe movement of students and vehicles.
“These assessments are an important step in ensuring that our school environments are safe for students, families, and staff,” said Commissioner of Education Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho. “By working closely with our partner agencies, we can better understand existing conditions and collaboratively identify practical solutions that improve traffic safety around our schools.”
Saipan Mayor Ramon “RB” Camacho emphasized that the initiative directly responds to concerns raised by parents, teachers, and school administrators across the Municipality of Saipan.
“The mayor’s office is partnering up based on the concerns from parents, teachers, and school administrators from every school area in the Municipality of Saipan,” Mayor Camacho said. “Dropping off and picking up students has created significant traffic congestion. This partnership brings together the expertise of Public Works engineers to recommend traffic rerouting, DPS officers to enforce road safety, and the mayor’s office to provide support by clearing obstructions such as overgrown vegetation and other hazards.”
Mayor Camacho further noted that this marks the first time these agencies have united as a task force to conduct a comprehensive traffic risk assessment. “Together, we are committed to creating safer, more efficient school zones for our children, families, and educators,” he added.
Findings from the assessments will be used to help inform future planning, coordination, and potential improvements, including traffic control measures, signage, roadway markings, pedestrian safety enhancements, and inter-agency support strategies.
PSS thanks DPW, DPS and the mayor’s offices for their continued partnership and shared commitment to student safety and community well-being.
