Meeting the AASHTO Safety Goal

Daniel L. Carter, PEUNC Highway Safety Research Center

AASHTO Safety Mgmt Subcommittee MeetingSeptember 2, 2009

AASHTO Safety Goal

In 2003, safety goal was 1.0 fatalities per 100 million VMT

Revised in 2008 to reduce fatalities by 1000 per year, moving toward halving fatalities over the next two decades.

Strategic Highway Safety Plan addresses the areas affecting these fatalities

National Trend of Highway Fatalities

4283643510

42708

41059

15000

20000

25000

30000

35000

40000

45000

50000

2004 2005 2006 2007

Num

ber of Fata

litie

s

National Trend of Fatality Rate

1.44 1.46 1.421.36

0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1

1.2

1.4

1.6

2004 2005 2006 2007

Fat

ality R

ate

per 100 M

illio

n V

ehic

le M

iles T

ravele

d

National Trend of VMT

2,000,000

2,200,000

2,400,000

2,600,000

2,800,000

3,000,000

3,200,000

2004 2005 2006 2007

Tota

l Veh

icle

Miles

Tra

vele

d (in

Millions)

Preliminary Data for 2008

37,313 fatalities (down 3,746 from 2007)

1.28 fatalities per 100 million VMT (down from 1.36 in 2007)

SHSP Emphasis Areas

AASHTO SHSP outlines 22 emphasis areas

People – E.g., curbing aggressive driving, keeping drivers alert

Infrastructure – E.g., keeping vehicles on the roadway, improving intersections

Other – E.g., safety information, emergency medical services

Emphasis AreaFatalities

2004Fatalities

2007 Change

Young drivers 8782 7648 -1134

Unlicensed drivers 7038 7607 569

Older drivers 4833 4436 -397

Aggressive driving 13192 13040 -152

Alcohol related 13099 12998 -101

Passenger restraint 16432 14390 -2042

Pedestrian 4675 4654 -21

Bicycle 727 698 -29

Motorcycle 4028 5154 1126

Large truck 5237 4808 -429

Train 371 335 -36

Running off the roadway 9453 9419 -34

Intersection 7852 7331 -521

Head-on and cross median 4139 3695 -444

Work zones 1063 835 -228

State SHSP Review

Reviewed 51 SHSPs (all states and D.C.)

Noted which emphasis areas were addressed often and which areas were addressed rarely

State SHSP Review

Emphasis areas addressed in most SHSPs young drivers (41) aggressive driving (41) impaired driving (46) occupant restraint (47) keeping vehicles on the roadway (45) intersections (42)

State SHSP Review

Emphasis areas addressed in most SHSPs young drivers (41) aggressive driving (41) impaired driving (46) occupant restraint (47) keeping vehicles on the roadway (45) intersections (42)

State SHSP Review

Emphasis areas addressed in few SHSPs driver licensing (12) keeping drivers alert (17) driver safety awareness (14) in-vehicle safety technologies (1) vehicle-train safety (12) head-on and cross median crashes (14)

State SHSP Review

Emphasis areas addressed in few SHSPs driver licensing (12) keeping drivers alert (17) driver safety awareness (14) in-vehicle safety technologies (1) vehicle-train safety (12) head-on and cross median crashes (14)

Area #5 – Impaired Driving

Alcohol-related fatalities have remained at a constant level in recent years

Approximately 13,000 fatalities per year, or 30% of all highway fatalities

Most states and agencies focused on: Enforcement Public awareness

Area #5 – Impaired Driving

Some states moving toward stricter use of alcohol ignition interlocks

Required for some DWI offenders in most states…

However, only 8 states require them for all offenders

In 2007, only 10% of eligible offenders had them installed on their vehicles

Area #5 – Impaired Driving

Research shows that ignition interlocks prevent half of offenders from re-offending

30% of drivers in fatal alcohol related crashes are re-offenders

Strict use of alcohol ignition interlock could prevent these crashes and save up to 1950 lives

Area #15 – Keeping Vehicles on the Roadway

Run-off-road fatalities have remained at a constant level in recent years

Approximately 9,400 fatalities per year, or 22% of all highway fatalities

Area #15 – Keeping Vehicles on the Roadway

Examples of State initiatives in SHSPs: Colorado: hot spots; speed reduction D.C.: surface treatments; rumble strips Idaho: ITS speed signs; delineation treatments New Hampshire: rumble strips; remove trees New York: road safety audits; widen shoulders Missouri: statewide program for rumble strips

and improved delineation

Area #15 – Keeping Vehicles on the Roadway

What benefit could be achieved through more edgeline/shoulder rumble strips?

Approximately 7000 fatalities per year occurring on two-lane rural roads from single vehicle run-off-road crashes

Research shows potential for 29% reduction due to rumble strips

Potential for 2000 lives per year to be saved by having rumble strips on all two-lane rural roads

Looking toward the future

Fatalities decreasing 600 per year (2004-07) Straight line estimate = 20,500

fatalities/year in 2042 Fatality rate decreasing 2% per year

Straight line estimate = 1.0 in 2020

Looking toward the future

Unlicensed drivers fatalities on the rise, and the area is getting little attention nationwide in SHSPs

Motorcycle fatalities on the rise Only 21 states require helmets for all

riders

Looking toward the future

Some strategies show promise, but need to be more strictly or more widely implemented to gain full benefit

In-vehicle safety technologies emerging (e.g., Electronic Stability Control)

Looking toward the future

Some strategies have shown great effectiveness (e.g., GDL) but soon that “fruit will be picked”

Progress in fighting highway fatalities is encouraging, but persistence and innovation are needed