HSM Overview Fact Sheet

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What is its purpose?

The purpose of the Highway Safety Manual (HSM) is to provide the best factual information and proven analysis tools for crash frequency prediction. The HSM will facilitate integrating quantitative crash frequency and severity performance measures into roadway planning, design, operations, and maintenance decisions. The primary focus of the HSM is the increased application of analytical tools for assessing the safety impacts of transportation project and program decisions.

What are its uses?

  • Identify sites with the most potential for crash frequency or severity reduction.
  • Identify factors contributing to crashes and associated potential countermeasures to address these issues.
  • Evaluate the crash reduction benefits of implemented treatments.
  • Conduct economic appraisals of improvements to prioritize projects.
  • Calculate the effect of various design alternatives on crash frequency and severity.
  • Estimate potential crash frequency and severity on highway networks, and the potential effects of transportation decisions on crashes.

How does the HSM apply to the Project Development Process?

HSM Project Development Process

Overview of HSM chapters

Part A – Introduction, Human Factors, and Fundamentals
Chapter 1 – Introduction and Overview
Chapter 2 – Human Factors
Chapter 3 – Fundamentals

Part B – Roadway Safety Management Process
Chapter 4 – Network Screening
Chapter 5 – Diagnosis
Chapter 6 – Select Countermeasures
Chapter 7 – Economic Appraisal
Chapter 8 – Prioritize Projects
Chapter 9 – Safety Effectiveness Evaluation

Part C – Predictive Method
Chapter 10 – Rural Two-Lane Roads
Chapter 11 – Rural Multilane Highways
Chapter 12 – Urban and Suburban Arterials

Part D – Crash Modifi cation Factors
Chapter 13 – Roadway Segments
Chapter 14 – Intersections
Chapter 15 – Interchanges
Chapter 16 – Special Facilities
Chapter 17 – Road Networks

HOT TOPICS OF THE HSM

What about tort liability and risk management?

The HSM is designed to support practitioners in managing risk. The quantitative analysis of safety data provides protection to public agencies concerned about risk. The HSM is neither intended to be, nor does it establish, a legal standard of care for users or professionals. No standard of conduct or any duty toward the public or any person shall be created or imposed by the publication and use or nonuse of the HSM. Documentation used, developed, compiled or collected for analyses conducted in connection with the HSM may be protected under Federal law (23 USC 409).

What training is available to assist me in using the HSM?

Step by step procedures with examples are included in the HSM to assist practitioners. Additionally, training courses are available through the National Highway Institute at http://nhi.fhwa.dot.gov.

  • New Approaches to Highway Safety Analysis (NHI-380075)
  • HSM Practitioners Guide to Two-Lane Rural Roads (NHI-380070A)
  • HSM Practitioners Guide to Multilane Urban/Suburban Highways (NHI-380070B)
  • HSM Application to Intersections (NHI-380105*)
  • HSM Workshop (NHI-380106*)
  • Application of Crash Reduction Factors (NHI-380093)
  • Science of Crash Reduction Factors (NHI-380094)
  • Interactive Highway Safety Design Model (IHSDM) (NHI-380071, NHI-380100* web-based)

*Course under development

How much does it cost? Can I buy it online?

The HSM is currently available for purchase from AASHTO for $325 for AASHTO members and $390 for non-members. Discounts are available for those states taking HSM training. Both hard copy and electronic versions are available. To purchase, visit https://bookstore.transportation.org and search under code HSM-1.

What data are needed?

Three types of data are needed to apply the HSM safety prediction methodologies: site characteristics data, traffic volume data, and crash data. Details are available in the Highway Safety Manual Data Needs Guide, available here: www.trb.org/Publications/Blurbs/Highway_Safety_Manual_Data_Needs_Guide_159984.aspx

Is software support available?

Yes. HSM methodologies will be supported by the following software programs:

  • SafetyAnalyst is a suite of analytical tools for guiding the decision-making process to identify safety improvement needs and develop a system-wide program of site-specific improvement projects. SafetyAnalyst supports Part B of the HSM. www.safetyanalyst.org

  • The Interactive Highway Safety Design Model (IHSDM) is a suite of software analysis tools for evaluating safety and operational effects of geometric design decisions. It performs the predictive method for the facilities in Part C of the HSM. www.tfhrc.gov/safety/ihsdm/ihsdm.htm

  • The Crash Modification Factors Clearinghouse houses a web-based database of CMFs along with supporting documentation to help transportation engineers identify the most appropriate countermeasure for their safety needs. The CMF Clearinghouse supports Part D of the HSM. www.cmfclearinghouse.org

Where can I find more information?

The most up-to-date information on the HSM can be found here: www.highwaysafetymanual.org

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Program Contact

Esther Strawder

202-366-6836

What’s New

New HSM Integration Guide

Case Study 4: Development of Safety Performance Functions for Network Screening in Illinois

Case Study 5: HSM Implementation Plans – New Hampshire DOT Experience

HSM Managers Guide

HSM Training Guide

FHWA is introducing the HSM case study series that highlights noteworthy implementation of HSM methodology.

Technical Assistance

FHWA, in partnership with AASHTO, has established a method for obtaining technical support through www.highwaysafetymanual.org. Once there, practitioners can use the technical support link to post questions either by emailing them to info@highwaysafetymanual.org or by posting them into the user discussion forum (http://www.hsmforum.org).