Safety Data Initiatives in Reauthorization – What Can We Expect?

Kathy Krause, FHWA Office of Safety

30th Annual International Traffic Records Forum July 25-29, 2004

State Traffic Safety Information System Improvement Grants

Description:Grants to improve State safety data & information systemsTraffic Records Coordinating Committee of data collectors, managers and users make key decisions on data improvements

State Traffic Safety Information System Improvements - continued

Status:House bill includes $159M over 6 yearsSenate bill includes $270M over 6 yearsConferees agreed to accept Senate language but no decision on funds

State Traffic Safety Information System Improvements - continued

Outstanding Issues: Funding Senate requirement that States include in model data elements traffic safety impacts of using electronic devices while driving

Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP)

Description: New safety infrastructure program built around a data-driven statewide safety plan It requires:• Crash data systems for problem

identification & countermeasure analysis• Improved traffic records, data collection &

analysis • Consideration of 4 “E”s of safety on all

public roads & consultation with stakeholders

HSIP - ContinuedStatus:

Included in Senate bill House bill makes few changes in current safety infrastructure programs & requires no statewide safety plan Senate provides $8.2B over 6 years House provides $3.9B over 6 years

HSIP - ContinuedOutstanding Issues:

Funding Statewide Highway Safety Plan• Will final agreement require or encourage

States to develop safety plans?• How will States obtain comprehensive safety

data on roads, drivers, vehicles & EMS?• Will States have sufficient safety data on

local highway safety needs?

HSIP Reporting RequirementsDescription:

House & Senate bills include:• State reports to Secretary on progress in

implementing HSIP • Secretarial reports to Congress on

national implementation of HSIP

HSIP Reporting Requirements - Continued

Senate requires annual State reports to:• Describe 5% of locations in each State

with most severe safety needs• Assess potential remedies, costs &

impediments• Assess effectiveness of projects in

reducing fatalities, injuries & severity of crashes

• Be posted on the DOT website

HSIP Reporting - ContinuedHouse limits funds for report data collection & analysis to 2%.Secretary’s report must include: Summary of projects completed & analysis of effectivenessAssessment of adequacy of program funding & State use of funds

HSIP Reporting - ContinuedRecommendations for future funding & program improvementsAnalysis & evaluation of State programs

Status: Secretarial & State reports will be requiredNo agreement reached on details

HSIP Reporting – ContinuedOutstanding Issues:

Content & timing of reportsHouse 2% limitation on fundsSenate requirement to report 5% of locations with severest safety needsSenate requirement to publish reports on website

Safe Routes to School (SRS)Description:

States administer grants to State, local & regional agencies to encourage walking & bicycling to school and improve safety near schoolsProjects within 2 miles of schools for sidewalks, ped/bike crossings & facilities, education, awareness, enforcement, traffic calming & improved traffic operations

SRS - ContinuedStatus:

Included in both bills House conferees instructed to insist on House provisionFunding:• House $1B over 6 years• Senate $470M over 6 years

SRS - ContinuedOutstanding Issues:

FundingMany States lack data to identify & promote safety improvements on public roads, pathways and trails within 2 miles of schoolApportionment formula: House – primary and middle school enrollment, Senate – STP

High Risk Rural Road Safety Improvement Program

Description: To improve safety on rural collector and local roads For construction & operational improvementsStates must fund projects with greatest highway safety benefits

High Risk Roads - ContinuedStatus: Included only in House billOutstanding Issues:

Funding: House - $675M over 6 yearsLack of data on rural roads limits ability to target funds to States with greatest needsMany States lack the data on rural & local roads to identify projects with highest benefits

Status of ReauthorizationCongress extended highway, transit & safety programs to September 24 with no changes in funding or policy White House agreed to $299B overall spending for 6-year reauthorization bill this year – House & Senate staff will work on detailed conference agreement

Likely Outcomes?Dedicated funds are likely for state data improvement grants. Funding levels are not yet clear More reporting requirements are likely for safety programs & initiatives - HSIP, Safe Routes to School, High Risk Rural Roads etc.

Likely Outcomes? - ContinuedState DOTS will need to work with data managers & collectors to fulfill reporting requirements & possibly to develop statewide safety plansState & metropolitan planners will need safety data to integrate safety into planning process

Likely Outcomes? - ContinuedState DOTs & planners will be encouraged to participate in traffic records coordinating committeesData managers & collectors are likely to have increased opportunities to develop new partners among key customers & users of safety data within States