Comprehensive Highway Safety Comprehensive Highway Safety PlanPlan

Leadership and ManagementLeadership and ManagementGetting buy in …

Getting started …

Managing the process …

Leadership and ManagementLeadership and Management

Why is it important?Why is it important?Without leadership and support at the highest

levels, it’s very difficult to initiate real change.

Ohio’s ExperienceOhio’s Experience

Getting buy in …Getting buy in …

Ohio has a history of developing interagency

relationships and successful pilot projects that

led executive leadership to support development of

a plan.

Ohio’s ExperienceOhio’s ExperienceKey events:Key events:• Quarterly safety meetings w/ key agencies• Culture change at ODOT (2002)• New relationship between ODOT/GHSO• ODOT creates Safety Office• Safety funding increased -$30 to $65 M annually• Commitment to joint pilot projects (2003-2005)• Ohio LifeSavers (2005)

Ohio’s ExperienceOhio’s ExperiencePilot projects focus on Pilot projects focus on

3Es:3Es:• Amish Buggy• Work Zone Safety• Ohio Safe Commute

• Safety Belt Mobilization

Success leads to leadership

support for other initiatives.

Ohio’s ExperienceOhio’s Experience

Leadership buys into Leadership buys into

goal:goal:• ODOT, ODPS lead state

in adopting• Common goal of 1.0

fatalities per 100 mvmt

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

3.5

19

75

19

77

19

79

19

81

19

83

19

85

19

87

19

89

19

91

19

93

19

95

19

97

19

99

20

01

20

03

20

05

20

07

Fa

talit

y R

ate

pe

r 1

00

MV

MT Actual Fatalities

Projected Fatalities

Ohio’s ExperienceOhio’s Experience

Mechanism to meet 2008 goal:

• Comprehensive Highway Safety PlanComprehensive Highway Safety Plan

• Safety Conscious Planning WorkshopsSafety Conscious Planning Workshops

Ohio’s ExperienceOhio’s Experience

• FHWA• ODOT• NHTSA• ODPS

(GHSO, OSP, EMS)

• FMCSA• PUCO• FRA• ORDC• County Engineers• MPOs

Comprehensive Highway Safety PlanComprehensive Highway Safety Plan

Safety champions include:

Ohio’s ExperienceOhio’s Experience

Step 1: Comprehensive Highway Safety Step 1: Comprehensive Highway Safety PlanPlan

• Data gathering (January)• Two-day workshop (April – FHWA facilitator)• Plan development (Summer)• Half-day workshop key stakeholders (November)• Public comment (thru December)

Ohio’s ExperienceOhio’s ExperienceNext Steps (2006)Next Steps (2006)

• Signed document (January)• Safety Champions develop performance measures

(February)• Statewide Safety Partners commit resources (spring)• Quarterly focus report (summer)

Ultimate measurement: fewer fatalities

Ohio’s ExperienceOhio’s Experience

Safety ConsciousSafety Conscious

Planning WorkshopsPlanning WorkshopsOhio needed a tool to focus

local governments on

statewide fatality goal

(home rule state)

Ohio’s ExperienceOhio’s Experience

Step 2: Safety Conscious Planning Step 2: Safety Conscious Planning WorkshopsWorkshops

Purpose: Educate locals on 2008 goal, share crash data

and listen to local priorities.• Began Fall 2004• ½ day workshops in MPO areas (17 total)• Pilot project in area with strong safety focus and Safe

Communities partner

Ohio’s ExperienceOhio’s Experience

Step 2: Safety Conscious Planning Step 2: Safety Conscious Planning Workshops Workshops

Product: Local list of safety priorities. Problem locations and

driver behaviors identified in an annual work plan with

strategies and costs.

Example: state funded $2 million in local projects in Lima area

Ohio’s ExperienceOhio’s Experience

Ohio’s ExperienceOhio’s Experience

Safety in Rural OhioSafety in Rural Ohio

Rural areas being addressed through

County Engineers Association.

Required to spend $10 million in STP

funds for safety projects on any

public road.

Ohio’s ExperienceOhio’s Experience

In summary …

Step 1: Build and sustain partnerships

Step 2: Develop a plan

Step 3: Develop a mechanism for cross- jurisdictional implementation

Other PerspectivesOther Perspectives

Other PerspectivesOther Perspectives

Common Themes … Common Themes … • States in various stages of development• State DOT’s and/or SHSO leading effort• Staged process with executive committee

setting direction and safety advocates providing input

• Some use consultants, others FHWA facilitator

IllinoisIllinois

Getting buy in …Getting buy in … • Transportation Secretary champion• Created Safety Engineering Bureau to oversee

development and implementation• Assistance from Traffic Safety Division (SHSO)

IllinoisIllinois

Getting startedGetting started … … • Top DOT management identified 10 emphasis

areas• Two safety summits with safety advocates• Web site to solicit feedback

IllinoisIllinois

Managing the process … Managing the process … • Managed by Safety Engineering Bureau• Statewide safety committee meeting with 9 DOT

Districts to incorporate plan into projects• Meetings with MPOs

IowaIowaGetting started … Getting started … • Developed Toolbox of Strategies (2002)• Identified emphasis areas based on expert input, data• Developed small projects and pilot studies to advance

emphasis areas (state and local)• Using toolbox and SMS membership to advance public

awareness

Toolbox lays the groundwork for SHSP development

(consultant selection underway)

IowaIowaManaging the process …Managing the process …• State DOT (Office of Traffic & Safety)

Full-time employee to manage SMS activities • Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau• Assistance from SMS Membership

Also using Safety Conscious Planning to educate and

involve local engineers, planners, law enforcement officers.

KentuckyKentuckyBuy in …Buy in …• Governor created Executive Committee on

Highway Safety to “speak with one voice”• Includes upper level management from variety of

public and private safety organizations• Support of Kentucky Transportation Cabinet

to improve “soft” and “hard” side of safety

KentuckyKentuckyManaging the process …Managing the process …• State DOT - Highway Safety Operations Manager

focal point of management• Worked with Governor’s Committee to develop

emphasis areas• Each emphasis area has a multi-discipline

team to oversee implementation• Series of district coordinators dedicated to

4Es

LouisianaLouisiana

Getting buy in …Getting buy in … • “Horrific crash record”• Used cost of crashes to gain public official

support • Media editorial boards to communicate message

to public and build support for plan

LouisianaLouisiana

Managing the process … Managing the process … • SHSO has contract w/ safety engineer advising

GR• Develop small committees responsible for

implementing strategies• Develop mechanism to keep people informed

and involved in process (email, fax, etc.)

Final ThoughtsFinal Thoughts

You can borrow ideas from your peers to set your SHSP in the right direction.

Final ThoughtsFinal ThoughtsThe key is to …

• Use SAFETEA-LU to build support• Good Communication• Good Communication• Good COMMUNICATION!• Find champions wherever they exist