The Highway Transportation

System

Moving People and Goods from Place to Place Safely and Efficiently

What Makes Up the HTS?

• Roadways- Multilane highways- Country Roads- City Streets

• People- Drivers- Passengers- Cyclists- Pedestrians

• Vehicles- Tractor-trailers- Buses- Cars, Vans, SUV’s- Mopeds- Motorcycles

Federal and State Requirements

National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act

• Automakers are required to build certain safety features, such as safety belts and shatterproof windows, into their motor vehicles.

National Highway Safety Act• Guidelines: Vehicle registration, Driver

Licensing, Traffic Laws, Traffic Courts, Highway Construction and Maintenance.

• Each state sets its own statutes or laws, that concern highway safety.

Reducing Your Risk Within the HTS

• Keep your vehicle in top condition• Anticipate the actions of others• Take steps to protect yourself and others• Drive only when you are in sound physical

and mental condition• Make a conscious effort to develop your

driving skills

The SIPDE Process

Search• Search the roadway and off-road areas 20

to 30 seconds ahead for information that can help you plan a path of travel.

Identify• Identify objects or conditions within 12 to

15 seconds ahead that could interfere with your planned path of travel.

The SIPDE Process

Predict• Predict what actions or changes in conditions on or

near the roadway could increase the level of risk.

Decide• Decide what action(s) to take at least 4 to 5

seconds ahead of time to control or reduce risk.

Execute• Execute your decision.

The Smith System

Aim High and Look Ahead• Look way ahead of your vehicle (20 to 30

seconds ahead), not down at the road directly in front of you.

Keep Your Eyes Moving• Search the scene constantly for changes

that might require you to adjust your speed or position.

The Smith System

Get the Big Picture• Search the whole scene, not just part of it.

Make Sure Others See You• Communicate with drivers and pedestrians.

Leave Yourself a Way Out• Always leave yourself a path of escape (a

way to avoid a collision)