Key Components
An effective safety management process should include, as a minimum, the following elements:
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Communication, coordination, and cooperation among the organizations responsible for the roadway, human, and vehicle safety elements (both public and private);
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A focal point for coordination of the development, establishment, and implementation of safety management among agencies responsible for these major safety elements;
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Short- and long-term highway safety goals to address identified safety problems;
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Collection, analysis, and linkage of highway safety data;
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Identified safety responsibilities of units and positions;
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Public information and education activities; and
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Identified skills, resources, and training needs to implement highway safety programs.
The need for timely and complete data systems is a key element of safety management to ensure that the best possible decisions are made. Data sharing by those involved in the decision making is also critical.
Safety management was one of six management systems initially required under the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991. With the passage of the National Highway System Designation Act of 1995, the implementation of the management systems was made optional (except for the congestion management system in certain areas).
The Federal Highway Administration remains committed to safety management and to working with states to improve their safety management processes.
Check the Management and Monitoring Systems; Final Rule from the Federal Register (Rules and Regulations) [PDF, 56KB]
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