Highway Safety Improvement Program–Assessment Toolbox

Pulling It All Together

The HSIP Assessment Toolbox contains information, tools, and resources to support various HSIP-related assessments. These assessments include self-assessments, program reviews, and peer reviews. Each type of assessment has been described in detail in the previous sections. However, many questions have not been answered, largely because this is a resource document, and not a guidance document. However, in an effort to link the various elements of the HSIP Assessment Toolbox, the following questions will be addressed:

• Why should I conduct a program assessment?
• When do I conduct a program assessment?
• Who leads the assessment?
• What happens with the results of the program assessment?

Please note that there is no right or wrong way to conduct an assessment. The reasons for conducting an assessment, the timeframe for doing so, and the type of assessment being conducted are largely dependent on the agency leading the review and the review topic. However, the importance of the last question must be emphasized, as the response to any assessment is integral to the future success of the program.

Why should I conduct a program assessment?

There are many reasons to conduct an HSIP assessment; however, the primary reason is a desire to improve the process and procedures used to administer the HSIP. The SDOT, FHWA Division Office, and other safety partners, as appropriate, may perform a self-assessment to determine the status of the various elements of the HSIP as compared to what is desirable. The results of the self-assessment can be used as a benchmark and to track progress towards improving the effectiveness of the HSIP over the long term.

The self-assessment results can also serve as input to the risk assessment process. Those areas that were identified as weaknesses or "high risk" may either warrant further investigation, through a program review or peer review. A program review or peer review would allow a more detailed investigation into a particular component of the HSIP and highlight opportunities for improvement. In addition, an agency may wish to host a peer review to learn more about an HSIP-related process or practice that is utilized in another State and being considered for implementation in their State. The following table provides a summary of the potential uses for each type of program assessment.

When do I conduct a program assessment?

The timeframe and frequency for conducting a program assessment is at the discretion of the SDOT and the FHWA Division Office. However, FHWA recommends that States conduct a program assessment at least once every 5 years. Many self-assessments are conducted annually or every other year to measure progress in implementing program improvements. Program or peer reviews should be conducted as deemed necessary based on the risk assessment or stewardship and oversight agreement. The topic does not always have to be the same; however, it would prove beneficial for States to both host and participate in a peer review on a regular basis to keep abreast of current program activities and to network with peers.

Who leads the program assessment?

A program assessment can be initiated and led by either the SDOT, FHWA Division Office, or others safety partners as appropriate. However, each type of assessment lends itself to a different review process. For example,

• While a self-assessment can be conducted by either agency, it would be most beneficial if conducted as a partnership, as the very nature of a self-assessment tool is for a collaborative assessment.
• Program reviews are most often conducted as part of FHWA’s stewardship and oversight responsibilities; therefore, the FHWA Division Office in consultation with the SDOT and other agencies, as appropriate most often leads a program review. However, this should not deter the SDOT from initiating a program review as an effort to periodically review their HSIP implementation efforts. A program review could also include HSIP experts from FHWA.
• An SDOT-led program review may be best accomplished by hosting a peer review so that ideas, practices, and procedures can be shared amongst peers. While the peer review is a relatively new concept to the HSIP field, the RD&T peer review program is initiated and led by the SDOT. Of course, it is entirely feasible for a program review to recommend that an agency host a peer review to identify noteworthy practices for consideration in a specific area.

What happens with the results of the program assessment?

Recommendations from the program assessment, particularly the program review and peer review, should be prioritized, assigned responsibility, and implemented accordingly. It is good practice to monitor program improvement efforts through biannual or annual follow-up activities. These follow-up activities can be as formal as a regularly scheduled meeting to discuss progress towards implementing the program assessment recommendations or an informal follow-up activity as described in the peer review section of this document. The implementation of the recommendations will ideally result in improved program performance and be reflected in future program assessments. It is only through continual program improvement that the success of the HSIP will be realized.