Raising the Bar for Safety

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Raising the Bar for Safety

• NATIONAL LOCAL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
  ASSOCIATION
• ANNUAL MEETING
• January 12, 2003
• A. George Ostensen
• Associate Administrator for Safety
• FHWA

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Todays Presentation

• Rural Safety Perspectives
• FHWA Safety Activities
• 2001 Achievements
• LTAP-FHWA Collaboration
• Challenges for LTAP

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Some Perspectives

• 3.9 Million Miles of Roads in America
• 3.1 Million Miles (78 ) are Rural Roads
• 661,000 Miles (22) Rural Roads Owned
• by States
• 39 of Travel in Rural Areas
• 61 of Fatalities in Rural Areas
• Rural Fatality Rate 2.41 (0.99 Urban)

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Where Fatalities Occur2001 Data
RURAL URBAN Percent Fatalities
RURAL Fatalities by Roadway Functional Class

• Local 19

• Interstate Rural 13

l
18,047

• Arterials 37

• Collectors 31

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Factors Contributing to Fatalities

• Single Vehicle Run-Off-Road - 38.5
• Speeding Related - 30.5
• Intersections - 21
• Pedestrian and Bicyclist - 13
• Alcohol Related - 40
• (Source 2001 FARS data)

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FHWAs Safety Vital Few Objectives

• Roadway Departure (run-off-road
• head-on) -- Save 2,292 Lives
• Intersection Save 860 Lives
• Pedestrian Save 465 Lives

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National Strategies

• Strategic Safety Programs
• Occupant Protection
• Prevent Roadway Departure
• Mitigate Consequences of Roadway Departure
• Intersection Design, Operation Enforcement
• Systematic Approach to Community Safety (for
  Safety Pedestrian Accommodation)

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Local Safety Activities-Noteworthy Efforts

• LTAP/TTAP Centers Respond to Local Concerns
  Regarding Transportation Safety through Training
  and Technical Assistance
• Example of Training Topics Work Zone Safety,
  MUTCD, Roadway Design Safety, Traffic Control,
  Pedestrian Bicycle Safety

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2001 Achievements

• Significant Increase in Number of Safety Training
  Topics
• Non traditional Safety Topics Human Factors
  Older Drivers Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety
  Traffic Calming
• Some Topics of Local Interest are Reflected in
  FHWAs National Strategies

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LTAP-FHWA Collaboration

• Distributing Safety Publications Products
• Identifying Local Safety Needs
• Maintaining and Enhancing Communication through
  existing FHWA-LTAP Safety Coordination Group
• Preparing Publications, Presentations,
  Train-the-trainer Courses, and Other Courses

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Some Help

• AASHTO Strategic Plan
• Advanced Technologies
• Better Technology Transfer
• New/Better Decision Support Tools

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Challenges for LTAP

• Having High Expectations
• Deepening Safety Capabilities Inside and Outside
  LTAP Centers
• Expanding Awareness at Local Level
• Marshalling Support for a State Based, Data
  Driven Comprehensive Approach to Improve Safety
• Measuring Success