2005 National Roadway Safety Awards
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From the Administrator
J. Richard Capka, Administrator (Acting)
Federal Highway Administration
I am very pleased to have the opportunity to recognize and celebrate the successes of this year's award winners. The Roadway Safety Foundation and the Federal Highway Administration jointly sponsor this program to showcase and share the "best safety practices" recognized throughout the United States.
With the passage of SAFETEA-LU, Congress demonstrated its support for a safer transportation network through significantly increased funds for a new "core" safety program and a data-driven, results oriented approach to safety planning and investments. Recognizing exemplary projects that address the "4Es" : Education, Enforcement, Emergency Medical Services and Engineering is another way to help state and local governments find models for improved safety programs.
I congratulate the award winners honored in this publication and each of the nominees representing the sixty-five life-saving projects that participated in this year's competition. I urge others throughout the country to commit themselves to similar efforts to save lives and prevent injuries. I hope they will also consider participating in the next National Roadway Safety Awards competition scheduled for 2007.
Meeting and surpassing our safety goals is critical to a better quality of life and greater productivity. Emulating the outstanding projects featured in this brochure can help us achieve these goals.
2005
National Roadway Safety Awards
Jointly sponsored by Federal Highway Administration and Roadway Safety Foundation.
This Best Practices brochure showcases the winning entries of the 2005 National Roadway Safety Awards program. The entries were rated on their innovation, effectiveness, and efficient use of resources. Of the entries received, those noted herein were found to be the outstanding examples of highway safety projects. We congratulate all of the award recipients and are proud to display their projects as models for all agencies to emulate as we strive to maintain the safest transportation system in the world.
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
The FHWA, in partnership with the highway and transportation community, is preparing for the future and improving transportation for a strong economy. Our vision is to create the safest and most efficient highway system in the world for the American people--where everyone has access; crashes, delays, and congestion are significantly reduced; freight moves easily and at the lowest cost; ecosystems and the quality of the air are protected; pedestrians and bicyclists are accommodated; and where transportation services are restored immediately after disasters and emergencies.
About the Roadway Safety Foundation
The Roadway Safety Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational and charitable organization solely dedicated to reducing highway deaths and injuries by improving the physical characteristics of America's roads.
Mission of the Roadway Safety Foundation
To build public awareness and support actions to assure that national, and local safety agen das recognize the role of the roadway in reducing highway deaths and injuries. To accomplish this, RSF focuses on improving the physical characteristics of roadways that affect safety, such as design and engineering, operating conditions, removal of roadside hazards, and ef fective use of safety features.
Table of Contents
Operational Improvements
Winners
Honorable Mention
Program Planning, Development and Evaluation
Winners
Honorable Mention
Operational Improvements
Florida
Winner
Intersection Enforcement Lights
Florida Department of Transportation
The Florida DOT is promoting the widespread usage of enforcement lights at signalized intersections to facilitate the enforcement of red light running (RLR) violations. The lights, also known as "white lights," are electronically attached to the red light and are visible to a law enforcement officer stationed downstream of a traffic signal. White lights are illuminated when the signal turns red, enabling a single officer, who must have a view of the stop bar and a red light indicator, to apprehend drivers who run a red signal. Without the white lights, two officers would be required for a RLR operation — one upstream to observe the infraction and one downstream of an intersection to write the citation. This enforcement light technology must get acceptance from the local traffic court judiciary prior to installation to assure that the citations written will be accepted in court proceedings.
In 2003, there were approximately 111 traffic fatalities and 1,703 serious injuries due to RLR in Florida. This program's effectiveness is clear: as an example, the initial installation at the Intersection of SR 60 and US 19 in Clearwater in 2001 resulted in a 50% decrease in RLR violations and an 11% decrease in crashes over a 3-month evaluation period, with 519 citations issued.
Improving intersection safety continues as one of the key areas in the state's 2003 Strategic Highway Safety Plan, with a critical initiative to install white lights at a minimum of 60 signalized intersections per year for the five-year duration of the Plan. To date, white lights have been installed at over 400 high RLR intersections throughout the state, already exceeding the five-year target, with many more to be installed as the initiative gains support.
CONTACT
Patrick Brady
Florida Department of Transportation
Tel. 850-245-1504
Patrick.brady@dot.state.fl.us
Montana
Winner
Temporary Traffic Control for Wildland Fire Incident Management Activities
USDA Forest Service
During a wildfire, incident management activities directly affect highway safety. A single wildfire may burn over 10,000 acres, be fought by 1,000 firefighters and last many days. Travelers during this time could be presented with potentially life threatening fire conditions, poor driving visibility due to smoke, and changing traffic patterns. Adding to the problem is the increased traffic that incident management operations generate. Distracted or surprised motorists are a threat to the safety of incident responders. People's lives depend on being able to recognize the traffic hazards in these areas, follow warning and directional signs, slow down, and safely pass through incident zones.
In 2000, a major wildfire outbreak in the Northern Region caused the Forest Service, the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT), and the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (MDNRC) to begin developing standard procedures and products for temporary traffic control at wildland fire locations. The final measures now include:
- Standard sign designs that meet the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) requirements;
- Manual for design and placement of temporary traffic control devices;
- Development of the Incident Sign Installation Guide for nationwide distribution; and
- A memorandum of understanding signed by MDT and MDNRC, adopting these measures and clearly defining the roles and responsibilities of the various state and federal agencies involved in incident response.
Practices developed in this program have broad application and are being incorporated nationwide by the Forest Service.
While both the MDT traffic incident responders and wildland fire fighting agency incident managers use incident control systems, this program is the first where both land management agencies and the MDT report to a single incident commander that manages fire fighting and traffic through a single incident organization. The agreement streamlines the process to approve encroachment permits, establishes agency contacts for emergencies and assures that interruptions to highway travel will be minimized. Of paramount importance, the management of fire fighting and traffic management activities under a single Incident Command System organization eliminates duplication and improves responsiveness of communications and the safety of both the public and incident responders.
CONTACT
Donna Sheehy, P.E.
USDA Forest Service
Tel. 406-329-3312
Dsheehy@fs.fed.us
Ohio
Winner
Work Zone Crash Analysis
Ohio Department of Transportation
In 2004, ODOT initiated a new crash-analysis program designed to identify work zone configurations that contribute to crash problems. The program uses historical and near real-time crash data to prevent crashes and detect problems in the field so the department can respond quickly.
Based on historical data, the department identified four major contributing factors to work zone crashes: inadequate ramp merges, insufficient paved shoulders, inadequate off-ramps at interchanges and speed. New statewide standards were created to improve the design of future projects. The department also developed a near real-time analysis/tracking system, including bi-weekly coordination meetings with local law enforcement to collect crash reports. When spikes in crashes occur, the department can work quickly with construction personnel to identify problems and modify the work zones accordingly.
In addition to its efficiency, the crash analysis program is very cost effective. For about $5,000 invested to create the tracking mechanism and crash analysis database, each low-cost, short-term adjustment made in a work zone can prevent dozens of crashes to save lives and millions of dollars statewide. It also reduces congestion-related delays caused by work zone crashes.
CONTACT
Michelle May
Ohio Department of Transportation
Tel. 614-644-8309
Michelle.may@dot.state.oh.us
Washington
Winner
Fatality Collision Reduction
Washington State Patrol
Since 2001, the Washington State Patrol has used an accountability driven leadership model to hold managers accountable for performance outcomes within their areas of responsibility. The Field Operations Bureau (FOB) has used this management style to focus on the reduction of fatal collisions on state highways. Collision data was analyzed to identify the driving behaviors related to the majority of fatal and preventable injuries. These included driving under the influence, dangerous speed, aggressive driving and restraint violations.
The process of reviewing data, performance measures and outcomes occurred during monthly meetings of a Strategic Advancement Forum (SAF) between the FOB Deputy Chief and the regional district commanders. As issues develop, the SAF process encourages lieutenants and sergeants to devise creative ideas to solve these core issues. This data-driven decision- making allows all district employees an opportunity to provide input and use problem-solving skills to find solutions.
The SAF process allows troopers and sergeants to work together toward achieving a mutual goal. Citizens have seen the positive results as more lives have been saved through the SAF process. Prior to 2001, the East Region typically handled over ten fatal collisions a year.
By focusing on the four key goal areas and increased enforcement targeted to these areas, the East Region reached the pinnacle of traffic law enforcement in 2004 by not having to investigate a single fatal collision. Previously known for some of the most dangerous highways in the country, the East Region has benefited from the lives saved by the Washington State Patrol's accountability and data-driven leadership.
CONTACT
Lt. Stephen R. Burns
Washington State Patrol
Tel. 360-651-6339
Steve.burns@wsp.wa.gov
New Jersey
Honorable Mention
Local Road Safety Audit
South Jersey Transportation Planning Organization
The South Jersey Transportation Planning Organization ( SJTPO) instituted its Local Road Safety Audit program in 2004 in response to the disproportionate share of crashes occurring on rural two- lane roads in the SJTPO region. SJTPO took a data-driven and proactive approach to the safety audit program. Audits were first conducted on two Cape May County roads with documented crash histories and significant crash potential.
A consultant firm conducted the audits with the assistance of the Cape May County Engineer's office and SJTPO. Of special interest is the interdisciplinary nature of the audit teams, which consisted of county representatives, the police, engineering and public works staff of the affected municipalities, the state DOT, the NJ Division of Highway Traffic Safety and Federal Highway Administration.
The audits have raised awareness among local decision- makers by identifying low-cost, quick turnaround safety improvements that are expected to yield immediate safety benefits. It is one of the first local programs of its kind, utilizing federal planning funds to systemically identify local road segments of concern, organizing a team of independent specialists under the auspices of a metropolitan planning organization, engaging a consultant team for the audits and securing federal funding for the resulting recommended improvement packages.
CONTACT
Timothy Chelius, PP AICP
South Jersey Transportation Planning Organization
Tel. 856-794-1941
Tchelius@sjtpo.org
