Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users SAFETEA-LU Key Highway Safety Provisions Elizabeth Alicandri FHWA Office of Safety Programs 57 th Annual Missouri Traffic & Safety Conference 16 May 2006

Key Provisions for Today “Core” Highway Safety Improvement Program including set asides Strategic Highway Safety Plans Flexibility Safe Routes to School Work Zone Safety NHTSA Programs

Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) New “Core” Program To achieve a significant reduction in traffic fatalities and serious injuries on public roads $5.06 Billion over 4 years (FY06 – FY09) Set Asides Railway Highway Crossings High Risk Rural Roads

Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) Develop and implement a State Strategic Highway Safety Plan Produce a program of projects or strategies Evaluate the plan on a regular basis Submit an annual report to the Secretary To obligate HSIP funds, States’ must:

Strategic Highway Safety Plans Developed by DOT in consultation with partners Analyzes and makes effective use of crash data Addresses 4 E’s plus management and operations Considers safety needs of all public roads Describes program of projects or strategies to reduce or eliminate safety hazards Approved by State Governor or responsible State agency October 2005 & April 2006– Champions Guide

SHSP Partners Developed by DOT in consultation with: Governor’s Highway Safety Rep Regional and Metro PlanningOrganizations Representatives of Major Transportation Modes State & local enforcement Officials RRX Program and Operation Lifesaver Reps Motor Carrier Safety Program Reps Motor Vehicle Administration Agencies Other Major State & Local Safety Stakeholders

HSIP Reporting Requirements HSIP Annual Report HSIP: April 2006 Rail Grade Crossings High Risk Rural Roads: April 2006 “5% report” - locations exhibiting the most severe safety needs: April

HSIP Flexibility A State may use up to 10% of HSIP funds to carry out other safety projects identified in the SHSP The State must certify that: The State has met needs in the State relating to railway- highway crossings The State has met the State’s infrastructure safety needs relating to highway safety improvement projects

Railway Highway Crossings Elimination of Hazards and Installation of Protective devices New Funding Formula: 50% STP formula factors 50% based on # public railway-highway crossings Up to 2% for analysis and reporting $220 Million/Year Set Aside 50% of State’s apportionment for installation of protective devices

High Risk Rural Roads Roadways functionally classified as: Rural major collector Rural minor collector Rural local road Accident rate for fatalities and incapacitating injuries > statewide average Construction and operational improvements $90 Million/Year Set Aside

Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Enable and encourage children to walk/bike to school. Make biking/walking to school safer and more appealing. Facilitate projects and activities in the vicinity of schools that will: improve safety reduce traffic reduce air pollution reduce fuel consumption

Other SRTS Activities Coordinators established: January 2006 Program Guidance issued: January 2006 National Web conferences:February 2006 Biweekly teleconferences: March 2006 Report to Congress: March 2006 Clearinghouse: April 2006 Task Force: under development

Work Zone Safety Work Zone Safety Grants ( closes 15 May 2006 ) National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse instructions/oppDTFH61-06-H cfda instructions.pdf. pId=9003&mode=VIEW

NHTSA Programs Section 402: State and Community Highway Safety Grants ($900M over 4 years) Section 406: Safety Belt Performance Belt Grants Section 408: State Traffic Safety Information System Improvements

For More Information Broad SAFETEA-LU Information FHWA Safety Specific SAFETEA-LU Information NHTSA Programs Click on “laws and regulations” in upper right corner

“The care of human life & happiness….is the first and only objective of good government” Thomas Jefferson