1. FHWA SHRP 2 Safety Implementation Update
Presented at the
Standing Committee on Highway Traffic Safety (SCOHTS)
April 27-29, 2016
Michael S. Griffith
Director – FHWA Office of Safety Technologies

2. Overview FHWA SHRP 2 Broad Agency Announcement (BAA)
FHWA Safety Training and Analysis Center (STAC)
SHRP 2 Safety Data
STAC goals and actions
SHRP 2 NDS/RID Pooled Fund

3. FHWA SHRP2 BAA Proposal Solicitation:
“This BAA aims to address highway safety challenges by funding research using the SHRP2 NDS and RID data to support the vision and goals of the FHWA [Office of Safety Research and Development]”
Two Phases
Phase 1: $100,000 / study
Phase 2: 3-5 $750,000 / study
The FHWA Broad Agency Announcement Projects are following a similar model as the Implementation Assistance Program (IAP) projects.
Under Phase I, the teams are exploring the application of the SHRP2 data to real-world highway research issues
These efforts are largely proof-of-concept in nature and are using relatively small samples of the NDS data in combination with the RID to test out different models and techniques for analyzing the data.
For Phase II, FHWA will evaluate the success of the various projects under Phase I and select those that show the greatest promise for developing a real-world solution to highway safety problems and advance the science of naturalistic driving research.

4. FHWA SHRP2 BAA All 8 Phase 1 Awards have been made
Period of Performance: 9-18 months
Includes 12 State Partners
Broad Selection of Topic Areas:
Performing Organization
Topic
Partner State(s)
MRIGlobal
Speed MO
CUBRC
Enforcement NY
Battelle
Intersections
AL / OH / CA / WS
Iowa State University
Rural Intersection Safety
IA / MN / WI / MI
University of Michigan
Work Zones MI
TransAnalytics, Inc.
Vulnerable Road Users MD
VTTI
Crash Surrogates VA
University of Missouri
Most of the 8 BAA projects have a 12-month period of performance. However, the High Visibility Enforcement project with CUBRC has a 9-month POP and the Work Zone Safety project with the University of Missouri has a 18-month period of performance
Each project is looking at a different highway safety issue and each are using different analytical methods
All of the projects are using methods that are applicable beyond their focus area, which means that the methods can be applied to future research in other areas as well
BACKGROUND MATERIAL: Short description of each project
MRI Global: Developing models to describe the speed-safety relationship by including roadway data, driver demographics, and trip characteristics
CUBRC: Evaluating the effectiveness of High Visibility Enforcement programs by partnering with local police agencies and evaluating driver behavior before and after a program is implemented
Battelle: Examination of Driver and Situational Factors that Affect Driver Red Light Running and Go/No-Go Dilemma-Zone Decisions at High-Speed Signalized Intersections
Iowa State University: Looking to improve rural intersection safety by capturing the dynamic interaction between driver and rural intersection geometry and countermeasures
UMTRI: Will apply methods to analyze driver behavior in work zones to identify aspects of that behavior that should be targeted by countermeasures. Will focus on understanding normal driving as a means of identifying abnormal (and problematic) driving
TransAnalytics: Will mine the SHRP2 datasets to enhance State highway safety officials’ understanding of the characteristics and circumstances associated with crashes, near crashes, and other safety critical events involving vulnerable road users.
VTTI: The “Crash Trifecta Model” will be applied to Safety Critical Events and baselines to determine the key characteristics of crash hotspots.
Univ. of Missouri: Develop new algorithms, methods, and visualization techniques to analyze SHRP 2 Safety data to better determine the causal factors for work zone safety critical events

5. NDS RID SHRP 2 Safety Data Driver data Context for the trips
Driving data
Vehicle data
3000+ participants
5.4 M trips
Exposure info
1 M hrs video
Crashes: 1,465
Near-crashes: 2,710
Context for the trips
New data collected and QA
Roadway characteristics/features
12,500 centerline miles
Consistent in six states
Acquired data (DOTs, others)
200,000 centerline miles
Crashes, Traffic, Weather, Road..
GIS - linkable to other data sets
Quick overview:
Left hand side: NDS data- includes data on the driver, vehicle, and driving for the 5.4M trips that were continuously recorded (ignition on/off) – unprecedented data on driver behavior, exposure, and the sequence(s) of events that actually result in crashes.
This is not a crash database as we know it- its more a driver behavior database that includes 1465 crashes - police reportable and non-reportable. Detailed information was not only captured about these crash events but also from approximatelty double that amount in near crashes. These crashes and near crashes were captured in relation to – a tremendous amount exposure data/ non-event/normal-driving data-which adds additional value of the data to many areas within the highway domain in addition to Safety (e.g., Operations, Planning). These crashes, near crashes and normal driving were captured in relation to the roadway and under different driving conditions – and these are expressed in the RID as well as the NDS (radar, forward, rear video).
Decision makers in the area of safety have typically relied on crash history analysis – now the SHRP 2 NDS/RID offer new insights into driver behavior, a contributing factor in 90% crashes, previously unavailable.
Ride hand side: RID – provides context for the 5.4M trips and can be used to focus your NDS query from the huge amount of data(2petabytes). Consists of new data SHRP2 collected consistently in six states as well as acquired existing data from state DOTs, and other agencies such as NOAA. RID is linked to the NDS data but since RID is in a GIS format- it can also be linked to other data sets that are in a lat/lon format and we have already begun efforts investigating how other databases might complement the NDS/RID.
Six NDS sites

6. STAC goals and supporting actions
Expand understanding of the SHRP 2 Safety Data
Training/ informational material for a variety of audiences
Executive decision makers to hands-on analysts
Expand access to these data, incl. PII
Pilot test secure data access
Enclave at TFHRC
Expand usability of these data
Data analysis tools and reduced data set development
Expand user base
Research opportunities – Fellowships, Sabbaticals
BAA, IAP, Pooled Fund Study
STAC website
Review of STAC goals and actions to meet these goals.
Expand understanding of the NDS and RID
Training development – we are in the process of developing targeted training and informational materials to expand awareness, understanding, and ultimate use of these data. The three categories are: executive decision makers, research managers, and hands-on analysts. The STAC is working with NHI and our NDS and RID support contractors (VTTI, CTRE) on these materials.
Expand access to these data, incl. PII
Pilot test secure data access – The STAC and TFHRC IT staff are working with VTTI on developing in a staged approach secure access to the data including PII(face, GPS, origin/dest, NDS crash locations); Three stages-in stage 1 now(developing processes, testing with non-PII), anticipate to be in final stage (stage 3) = operational by Fall 2016-requires SDOC and TRB approval to move from stage 2 (testing with small amt PII) to stage 3(operational)
Expand usability of these data
Data analysis tools and reduced data set development:
EAR video analytics projects – to extract information and protect PII (ex, face mask while preserving eyes, mouth and head movements) and to extract other information such as signal state.
Data analysis – we will be working on developing advanced statistical methodologies with a soon to be developed Expert Statistician Support Team through the Development of Crash Modification Factors program – DCMF is working closely with the American Statistical Association (ASA) on this effort. And this team will provide the expertise for the analytical section of our training, which will conclude with how to clearly communicate results in terms a state DOTs Highway Safety Engineer and Chief Engineer can readily use for decision making.
Reduced data sets - to support studies are being developed by the NDS and RID support contractors. We have begun by developing a speed zone database for the RID.
Expand user base
Research opportunities to expand usage of these data – BAAs, Fellowships, Pooled fund:

7. SHRP 2 Naturalistic Driving Study Pooled Fund: Advancing Implementable Solutions
Pooled fund – Good ‘vehicle’ to provide value back to the DOTs
Objective is
To advance the development of implementable solutions that address issues of high-priority to State and Local transportation agencies with an emphasis on the broad areas of Safety, Operations, and Planning.
This could include development and improvement of countermeasures, development and improvement of predictive models and design guides, policy recommendations, etc …
A Technical Advisory Committee with representation from participating States will direct the pooled fund effort.
Want to get as much value out of these data – which are not only new to DOTs but researchers as well.
A large investment was made in the collection and development of the databases.
We’ve identified the pooled fund as the best ‘vehicle’ to provide value back to the DOTs in the shortest period of time and it offers a strategic –coordinated approach.
Objective: To advance the development of implementable solutions that address issues of high-priority to State and Local transportation agencies with an emphasis on the broad areas of Safety, Operations, and Planning. This could include development and improvement of countermeasures, development and improvement of predictive models and design guides, policy recommendations…
Other datasets to be used- as appropriate to meet project objectives

8. SHRP 2 Naturalistic Driving Study Pooled Fund: Advancing Implementable Solutions
While this will be an FHWA led pooled fund – very active participation from member State and Local agencies to determine the research that is undertaken.
TAC will define the research needs, determine yearly funding allocations for research, select the projects to be conducted, approve research teams, and oversee the work to ensure the objectives are met.
STAC would not only manage the fund and the finances, but also, with oversight and approval of the TAC, ‘serve the TAC’ by developing work plans to address the TAC’s research needs, manage research contracting, and each individual project.
This pooled fund is for the States, and while it is FHWA-led, we want very active participation from member states. The TAC will be made up of representation from each participating member
TAC will define the research needs, determine yearly funding allocations for research, select the projects to be conducted, approve research teams, and oversee the work to ensure the objectives are met.
STAC would not only manage the fund and the finances, but also, with oversight and approval of the TAC, ‘serve the TAC’ by developing work plans to address the TAC’s research needs, manage research contracting, and each individual project.

9. SHRP 2 Naturalistic Driving Study Pooled Fund: Advancing Implementable Solutions
Pooled fund solicitation #
Pooled fund to begin in 2017; assume first TAC meeting this time next year.
A minimum contribution of $50,000 per State per year for a 5-year period, or a total of $250,000 per State is suggested. Waiver approved to use 100% State Planning and Research (SP&R) Funds w/out non-Fed match.
While we encourage the suggested minimum contribution based on the cross-cutting scope and potential high impact of this pooled fund, we understand that this may be an issue for some.  
In addition to the STAC services, FHWA will contribute, at a minimum, $750,000 over the 5 years of the project.
Pooled fund solicitation # 1427 on the pooled fun website. Project # 1427
SHRP 2 Naturalistic Driving Study Pooled Fund: Advancing Implementable Solutions
We are suggesting - A minimum contribution of $50,000 per State per year for a 5-year period, or a total of $250,000 per State. Waiver approved to use 100% State Planning and Research (SP&R) Funds w/out non-Fed match.
While we encourage the suggested minimum contribution based on the cross-cutting scope and potential high impact of this pooled fund, we understand that this may be an issue for some.  For those unable to contribute the suggested minimum – please contact Charles Fay(see solicitation for contact info) - we want to encourage as much participation as possible.
In addition to the waiver and STAC services, FHWA will contribute, at a minimum, $750,000 over the 5 years of the project.

10. SHRP 2 Naturalistic Driving Study Pooled Fund: Advancing Implementable Solutions
Webinar series
Upcoming: examples of research w/ SHRP 2 NDS/RID :
FLDOT(Pedestrians); MDOT(Speed); WSDOT(Lighting)
May 17, :00PM-2:30PM - Registration required
Tentative dates - will provide additional examples of research being conducted. o June 28, :00PM-2:00PM (ET) o August 9, :00PM-2:00PM (ET) o September 20, :00PM-2:00PM (ET) o November 1, :00PM-2:00PM (ET)
Webinar series-
Recorded webinar from 4/5/16- describes data and pooled fund
Upcoming webinars will focus on how the data are being used and will have State DOTs and their researchers describe the Projects from IAPs and BAAs, others as well.