Team Charter

Revised January 11, 2011

Name:

Speed Management Team

Sponsors:

Joseph Toole, Associate Administrator for Safety, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Office of Safety
Larry Minor, Associate Administrator, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), Office of Policy and Program Development
Jeffrey Michael, Associate Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Research and Program Development

Leaders:

Guan Xu, FHWA
Michael Huntley, FMCSA
Wil Price, NHTSA

Background:

Speeding – exceeding the posted speed limit or driving too fast for conditions – is one of the most prevalent factors contributing to traffic crashes. The economic cost to society of speeding-related crashes is estimated by NHTSA to be $40.4 billion per year. In 2009, speeding was a contributing factor in approximately 31 percent of all fatal crashes, and 10,564 lives were lost in speeding-related crashes.

Goal:

Department of Transportation Intermodal Speed Team aims to reduce speeding-related fatalities, injuries and crashes through the application and promotion of enforcement, engineering, educational, and evaluative approaches in a collaborative manner among member agencies in support of the US DOT goal of reducing the number of total traffic fatalities.

Objectives:

• To better define the relationship among speed, speeding and safety, and improve knowledge, understanding, and awareness of the dangers of speeding.
• To identify and promote engineering and technology methods for creating a safer road environment with appropriate travel speeds, consistent speed limits and condition responsive warnings.
• To identify and promote effective speed enforcement and penalties that target dangerous drivers, on dangerous roads, at dangerous times.
• To work with governmental and non-governmental organizations to promote an integrated 3E approach and encourage local action to more effectively manage speed and crash risk.

Activities:

• Delivery of the Speed Program Management Workshop to Federal, State and local traffic safety program managers, providing them a tool for the development of expertise in speed management issues.
• Delivery of the US DOT Speed Management Workshop to States and local jurisdictions, providing them a tool for obtaining cooperation and support of traffic safety stakeholders and elected officials responsible for implementing speed management measures.
• Evaluation and review of speed and speed management research efforts to include engineering, enforcement, behavioral and technology-based solutions and countermeasures.
• Develop and implement a model speed management action plan to provide guidance for State and local governments to design, implement and maintain balanced and effective speed management programs.
• Develop and disseminate outreach materials on how appropriate speed limits are determined; the relationships among travel speed, posted speed limits, and crash risks; and, appropriate strategies and countermeasures for reducing speeding-related crashes/fatalities.

Resources:

FHWA: Office of Safety, Office of Safety R&D, Resource Center

FMCSA: Office of Policy and Program Development

NHTSA: Enforcement and Justice Services Division, National Center for Statistics and Analysis, Office of Behavioral Safety Research, Office of Communications and Consumer Information, Office of Strategic Planning Special Crash Investigations Unit.

Sponsors Approval:

____________________________________________________
Joseph Toole / Date
Associate Administrator for Safety
Federal Highway Administration

____________________________________________________
Larry Minor / Date
Associate Administrator for Policy and Program Development
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

____________________________________________________
Jeffrey Michael / Date
Associate Administrator for Research and Program Development
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration