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