Safety Conversation: NLTAPA Conference

Michael S. GriffithDirectorOffice of Safety TechnologiesFederal Highway Administration

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Overview• MAP-21 – HSIP & SHSP• FHWA Safety Initiatives – LTAP/TTAP Support• FHWA Support – LTAP/TTAP Safety Initiatives

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MAP-21• HSIP is the core safety program for FHWA• Essentially doubles the HSIP funding level ($2.4 B)• Maintains current structure• Adds requirement for regular updates of the

Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP)• Secretary to establish performance measures, and

States to set targets for number of fatalities and injuries (and number per VMT)

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SHSP Benefits

• Unprecedented collaboration between safety partners

• Strengthened partnerships

• Increased awareness of highway safety

• Shared knowledge, data and data systems

• Leveraged resources

• Coordinated transportation safety planning; unity of safety priorities, goals and strategies

Among many benefits, the SHSP generates…

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Relationship between SHSPs and Local & Rural Road Safety Plans• Local Plans complement the State SHSP– Promote safety awareness– Identify safety Issues– Foster more informed participation in SHSP process– Identify projects for safety funds

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Discussion• How do State SHSPs impact local agencies?• What has been LTAP/TTAP involvement in SHSPs?• Have Local/Rural Road Safety Plans (LRSPs) been

developed in your State?• What was the LTAP/TTAP role?• How can FHWA’s Office of Safety assist you with

LRSP goals?

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FHWA Safety Initiatives – LTAP/TTAP Support

Focused Approach to Safety

• Coordinated by the Office of Safety– An FHWA effort to better

address 3 critical safety challenges

– Targeted delivery of resources to focus States

– Goes beyond traditional methods

– Accelerating Safety Activities Program (ASAP)

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Focused Approach - 3 Focus Areas

1. Roadway departure crashes

– 53 percent of all highway deaths

2. Intersection-related crashes

– 21 percent of all highway deaths

3. Pedestrian crashes

– 13 percent of all highway deaths

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Every Day Counts 2• High Friction Surface Treatments• Intersection and Interchange Geometrics– Roundabouts and Mini-Roundabouts– Intersections with Displaced Left-turns or Variations on

U-turns– Diverging diamond interchanges (DDIs)

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/everydaycounts/

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Proven Safety CountermeasuresRoadway Departure• Safety Edge• Longitudinal Rumble Strips and Stripes on 2-Lane Roads• Enhanced Delineation and Friction for Horizontal CurvesIntersection• Roundabouts• Corridor Access Management• Backplates with Retroreflective BordersPedestrian• Medians and Pedestrian Crossing Islands in Urban and Suburban Areas• Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon• "Road Diets" (Roadway Reconfiguration)

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Safety EdgeSM

• Consolidating the pavement edge into 30 shape during paving to provide stability for vehicles recovering from a roadway departure

• 6% reduction of total crashes

• B/C range: 4 to 63

• Implement as a standard practice for paving and resurfacing projects

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Enhanced Curve Delineation

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High Friction Surface Treatments

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Rumble Strips and Stripes

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Roundabouts• Modern designs are safer and

more efficient than old circles and rotaries

• Can reduce crashes resulting in injury or fatality by nearly 80%

• Should be considered as part of corridor or intersection improvement projects

• Highly adaptable, proven in both low-speed urban and high-speed rural environments

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Corridor Access Management• Involves the design,

implementation and control of entry and exit points along a roadway

• Reducing access points along urban/suburban corridor can reduce injury and fatal crashes by about 25%1

• May be considered as a component of general corridor improvements or as its own project

1. AASHTO Highway Safety Manual, Chapter 14

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Backplates with Retroreflective Borders • Retroreflective strip added

around the border of a signal backplate

• Documented 15% reduction in crashes of all types and severities at urban signalized intersections1

• Consider as standard treatment for new and modernized signal projects, or as a systemic retrofit safety improvement

1. CMF Clearinghouse

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Medians and Pedestrian Crossing Islands in Urban and Suburban Areas

Before

After

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Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon• Pedestrian-activated

beacon located on the roadside or on mast arms over major approaches to an intersection.

• Follow guidance in MUTCD Chapter 4F.

• Safety results:– 69% reduction in

pedestrian crashes – 29% reduction in total

crashes

Background:• Pedestrians needed a safe way

to cross major arterials in Tucson.

• PHB (aka the “HAWK”) was developed by City of Tucson in late 1990s.

• FHWA study found reductions in total, pedestrian, and severe crashes.

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Pedestrian Hybrid BeaconTucson, Arizona

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“Road Diet” (Roadway Reconfiguration)• Conversion of four-lane

undivided roadway into three lanes with two through-lanes and a center two way left turn.

• Best on Roadways with ADT of 20,000 or less.

Before

After

Safety results:29% reduction in all roadway crashes

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FHWA Support – LTAP/TTAP

Safety Initiatives

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How Can FHWA Help LTAPs/TTAPs?Technical Assistance & Training

– Roadway Safety Peer-to-Peer Programhttp://rspcb.safety.fhwa.dot.gov/technical.aspx

• Highway Safety Improvement Program• Strategic Highway Safety Plan• Roadway Departure• Road Safety Audits• Data Analysis & Evaluation• Intersections & Roundabouts• Local & Rural Road Safety• Pedestrian & Bicycle Safety

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Discussion• How have LTAP/TTAPs successfully partnered with FHWA

and State DOTs?• Have LTAP/TTAPs been involved in any of the FHWA

Safety Initiatives?• How can the Safety Peer-to-Peer program work better?• How can FHWA work with LTAP/TTAPs to fill their gaps in

training/information to achieve local road safety goals? • What overall resources would LTAPs/TTAPs like to see

from FHWA?