We need data to make decisions about the effectiveness and efficiency of safety and other infrastructure improvement programs based on data. But we are consistently confronted by questions about data, such as:

Technical assistance is available to help address these questions and others you may have about the data used to develop and implement effective safety and other infrastructure improvement programs at both the state and local levels.

There is good news! The FHWA Office of Safety provides free safety data technical assistance through the two technical assistance programs designed to help agencies improve the quality of their roadway data.

The FHWA Office of Safety provides tailored, hands-on technical assistance to individual agencies or disciplines, whether State or local in scope. We can show you how to use multi-disciplinary approaches (and well-vetted models) that will put many hands to the work of leveraging data for significantly improved safety outcomes. We also can show you how to streamline your processes and improve efficiency across the board, which means maximizing the effectiveness of the decisions you make every day – and making your roadways safer.

For more information about any of the programs below, or to request assistance, contact Sarah Weissman Pascual at sarah.pascual@dot.gov.

Safety Data and Analysis Technical Assistance Program

This program, open to State and local government agencies, provides customized technical assistance based upon the needs of the requesting agency. For instance, we can help with:

• Data management and governance
• Data quality characteristics
• Data collection and technical standards
• Data analysis tools and uses
• Integration and accessibility of roadway data

Roadway Data Improvement Program (RDIP)

This technical assistance program focuses on helping with State DOT's processes and practices for collecting, managing, and utilizing their roadway data. More information on RDIP technical assistance can be found here.

Roadway Data Extraction Technical Assistance Program (RDETAP)

This new technical assistance program, currently being piloted in Missouri and Washington, is designed to help State DOTs and local agencies expand their roadway inventory data collection consistent with the Model Inventory of Roadway Elements (MIRE). More information on RDETAP technical assistance can be found here.

The Office of Safety Technical Assistance Program (the Peer-to-Peer Program)

All other roadway safety data technical assistance is available through the Office of Safety's technical assistance program. For more information, and to apply for assistance, visit the technical assistance page on the Roadway Safety Professional Capacity Building Program website.