The Greater Metropolitan Houston Traffic Safety Program October 14, 2004 Ned Levine, PhD Houston-Galveston Area Council Houston, TX 2004 AMPO Annual Conference

Serious Crash Fatal crash Injury crash Serious property damage crash

: Houston region 84,080 serious crashes a year 627 fatalities a year 93,971 persons injured a year The region accounted for: 26% of all statewide crashes 27% of all statewide injury crashes 17% of all statewide fatal crashes The region has 22% of the statewide population and, approximately, 21% of the statewide VMT Likelihood of a fatal or injury crash was: 36% higher than statewide average 149% higher than national average Seriousness of Problem

Worsening Trend in Safety

Human Suffering + Burden on Public Services + Medical Costs + Economic Costs + Congestion Costs = High Insurance Costs Costs of Motor Vehicle Crashes Using National Safety Council Methodology: Motor Vehicle Crashes Cost for Region = $4.0 Billion/Year for

Annual Cost to Eight County Region Direct Economic Costs $1.9 billion in direct medical, property damage, legal costs, employer costs, and lost productivity Comprehensive Costs $4.0 billion in direct and cumulative lifetime costs Public Sector Costs Unknown costs for police, EMS, and public works costs Congestion Costs Considerable costs in travel delay TTI estimates 60% of congestion due to incidents, inc. crashes

Purpose of the Program Monitor Safety Obtain data annually Map the crashes Identify Problems and Solutions Identify hazardous locations and area Conduct the necessary preliminary engineering Implement roadway improvements Identify funding sources Leverage local investment with State and Federal funds Support other safety efforts Enforcement Education Safety partnerships

Combines Analytical Methodology With Policy Tools

High-risk Behaviors: RegionU.S.* Speeding39%13% Failing to yield20%19% Failing to stop11% 9% Running a red light 8% 5% DUI 7% 7% (However, involved in 37% of fatal crashes/39% nationally) Following too close 3% 3% Improper turn 2% 2% * National Safety Council. U.S. average for Fatal and injury crashes only

High-risk Populations RegionU.S.* Teenagers21%16% (9% of driving age population/ 5% nationally) (17% in fatal crashes /14% nationally) (19% in incapacitating injury crashes) Elderly (65+) 8%8% (9% of driving age population/ 13% nationally) (11% in fatal crashes/13% nationally 9% in incapacitating injury crashes) Male drivers79%60% (Compared to 58% for females 1.7 times more likely to be in fatal crash/ 1.4 nationally) * National Safety Council. U.S. average for All crashes.

H-GAC Safety Activities

Safety Policy Directions – the 4 “E’s” Education Public awareness – reports/outreach/conferences Technical – staff/elected official/judges Enforcement Patrol officers Technology Engineering Fixing minor hot spots – Maintenance Fixing major hot spots - Construction Emergency Response Assessment Intervention Coordination

Jurisdictional comparisons Brazoria County / Fort Bend County / Galveston County Harris County / Montgomery County / Houston Alvin / Conroe / Old River-Winfree Corridor analysis US 59 W / SH 35 / SH 288 SH 105 / SH 99 / FM 359 FM 518 / FM 830 / FM 1960 FM 2232 / FM 2432 / John F. Kennedy Blvd Kirby Drive / Nichols Sawmill Road / Spring Steubner SH 99/Proposed Metro North Line Small area analysis Texas Medical Center Houston City Council District D Safety Analysis

Serious CityCrash risk Pearland 378 Galveston 337 Baytown 334 Rosenberg 320 Pasadena 290 Conroe 247 Houston 231 Texas City 211 Sugar Land 192 Region 204 State of Texas 149 Serious Crash Risk (Serious Crashes per 100 Million VMT) Jurisdictional Comparisons

Hot Spot Analysis 344 Major Hot Spots Numerous Minor Hot Spots

Houston East End City of Pasadena City of Galveston City of Sugar Land FM 518 FM 1960 Safety Projects & Access Management

Safety Meetings Developing Plans for Safety Courses Concept - Regional Safety Council Other Safety Activities

Safety Web Page