1 Iowa Highway Safety Programs Iowa Highway Safety Programs Jerry Roche Federal Highway Administration Mary Stahlhut Office of Traffic and Safety Iowa Dept. of Transportation Wear your seat belts! Story: Video: (warning: graphic image)

Major Corridor Investments, Recently Completed or Planned Fatal Crashes Major Injury Crashes Crashes Excluding Interstates

3 Mary Peters, FHWA Administrator: “…it appears that we also have grown accustomed to more than 41,000 highway related fatalities and greater than 3 million highway related injuries each year—” “Highway Safety – Everyone’s Responsibility” Public Roads, January 3, 2003

4 Mary Peters, FHWA Administrator: “This is a terrible toll and should not be viewed as the ‘price we have to pay’ for mobility. These statistics point to a national safety crisis.” “Highway Safety – Everyone’s Responsibility” Public Roads, January 3, 2003

5 Mary Peters, FHWA Administrator: “FHWA views improving safety as one of its most vital goals and has decided consciously to concentrate on saving lives.” “Highway Safety – Everyone’s Responsibility” Public Roads, January 3, 2003

6 FHWA “Vital Few” “FHWA is committed to reducing highway fatalities by 10 percent by 2007” from Vital Few FHWA’s five-year business strategy

Iowa Trends Iowa Miles Traveled Vehicle Registration Population Number of Crashes Number of Injuries Fatality Rate per HMVMT

Iowa Traffic Crash Fatalities Primary Seatbelt Law 55 mph Interstates 65 mph Interstates OWI Admin. Revocation Year

Iowa Fatality Distribution by Location Based on Crash Fatalities City/County 44% State 56% 172 Fatalities per year

Rural Fatality Rates by Road Type

Iowa Deaths Associated With Key Emphasis Areas

12 Highway Safety Management in Iowa Governor Office of Traffic and Safety Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau Cities, Counties, Other State Agencies, Universities & Private Sector Groups Safety Management System & Statewide Traffic Records Committee Department of Transportation Department of Public Safety

13 GTSB The Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau (GTSB) federal highway safety programs are administered nationally by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), an agency of the United States Department of Transportation established in 1966 to combat the growing number of traffic related deaths and injuries.

14 GTSB Programs Main emphasis areas : Section 157 incentive seat belt Section 405a occupant protection Section 410 alcohol impaired driving prevention Section 411 traffic records data improvement Section 2003b child passenger safety education Section 402 highway safety funds

15 GTSB 402 Funds Main emphasis areas : alcohol occupant protection police traffic services emergency medical services traffic records engineering motorcycles pedestrian/bicycle safety

16 DOT and GTSB Partnerships Safety Management System (SMS) Section 411, State Traffic Records Advisory Committee (STRAC) Local Multidisciplinary Highway Safety Teams Section 157, Seat Belt Incentive Funds Section 402, Highway Safety Program

17 Iowa DOT Safety Programs State Traffic Safety Improvement Programs (TSIP) Federal Hazard Elimination Safety Program (HES) Traffic Engineering Assistance Program (TEAP) Safety Data Products – Crash Data Analysis Tools – Iowa Traffic Safety Data Services (ITSDS) “Proactive” Highway Safety Program Traffic & Safety Engineering Forum Safety Conscious Planning Roadway Safety Audits SMS – Iowa Highway Safety Management System

18 Traffic Safety Improvement Program Established in 1987 Funded by one-half of one percent of the Road Use Tax Fund Applications may be submitted by any city, county or of the Iowa DOT (Due August 15)

19 Traffic Safety Improvement Program Three Separate Funding Categories Safety Studies ($500,000 / yr) – Transportation safety research studies, or public information initiative Traffic Control Devices ($500,000 / yr) – Purchase of materials for installation of new or replacement of obsolete signs or signals Site Specific (varies, 2004 estimate $4.2M) – Construction or improvement of traffic operations at a specific site

20 “TSIP” Research, Studies, Public Information and Education $500,000 per year City, county or state Applications due August 15th

21 Traffic Safety Information Series (FAQ about Highway Safety) Access Management Handbook Diagonal parking study Safety program effectiveness study Work zone safety public information Examples of “ TSIP” Research, Studies, Public Information and Education

22 Sign inventory and replacement program for small cities Portable speed humps study Fluorescent yellow-green school signs Centerline rumble strips study Examples of “ TSIP” Research, Studies, Public Information and Education

23 Federal Hazard Elimination Safety Program (HES) 2003 HES apportionment: $ 2.7 million for highways $ 1.9 million for rail / highway crossings $ 2.1 million for optional safety efforts $ 6.7 million total HES

24 Federal Hazard Elimination Safety Program (HES) Requirements: – System-wide analysis and prioritization – Alternative analysis to maximize program benefit cost – Annual report to Federal Highway Administration

25 Federal Hazard Elimination Safety Program (HES) Iowa’s Past HES Focus: Intersections / roadways ranked with equal weight given to: – Number of crashes – Crash rate – Crash severity “Top 200” Safety Improvement Candidate List

26 Federal Hazard Elimination Safety Program (HES) Iowa’s New HES Focus: – Emphasis on reducing fatal and major injury crashes

27 Candidate HES Safety Projects – Paved shoulders – Milled in shoulder rumble strips – 2-lane shoulder widening – Target high severity intersections / roadways – High crash curves – Expressway intersections – Centerline rumble strips – Cross-median head-on crashes HES Safety Investment Strategy

28 Category Mean Crash Reduction Mean B/C Ratio All Projects23%6.3 HES Projects Only40%2.6 TSF (1/2%) Projects Only 21%6.9 Summary of Crash Reduction Factors by Iowa Safety Funding Source

29 Traffic Engineering Assistance Program (TEAP) $100,000 per year from Federal 402 (GTSB) Additional funding from Iowa DOT Engineering Services Budget 2 On-call consultants

30 Traffic Engineering Assistance Program (TEAP) Identifies solutions to existing problems: – On or off state highway system – Intersections, corridors, school routes, railroad crossings, etc. Free to smaller cities and all counties Up to 100 hours of consultant analysis A study report

31 Safety Crash Data Programs Crash Data Analysis Crash Data Collection

32 Crash Data Collection Collaboration >50% of Iowa’s crash data is reported electronically Iowa Crash Form revised 1/1/2001 Electronic data collection software Iowa “National Model” with FHWA is the “TraCS” (Traffic and Criminal System) “Smart Map” location tool enables consistent, automated capture of event location on all reports statewide.

33 Crash Data Analysis Collaboration Iowa DOT compiles and refines crash data – Office of Driver Services – Office of Traffic and Safety Data is made available on CD to state and local entities for their analysis use. Iowa’s data analysis “tools” software is available to state and local entities Technical support and training is made available as needed

34 Geographic Information System-based Safety Analysis, Visualization, and Exploration Resource (GIS-SAVER) Input Location and Specifications: Output Summary Reports: Output Maps:

35 Iowa State University, CTRE Sponsors: Office of Traffic and Safety, DOT Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau, DPS

36

Targeted Enforcement Rural Alcohol-Related Crashes Corridors ranked by Frequency

Disclaimer: The Center for Transportation Research and Education presents these data as preliminary. 20 unlocated injury severities not represented. (0 Fatal, 20 Major Injuries) Rural Two-Lane Primary Road Fatalities and Major Injuries Iowa DOT District 1 ( ) Ames Des Moines Waterloo

39

40 Hotline: (515) Web:

41 Proactive Highway System Safety Program Examples of Iowa highway system safety studies: – Paved shoulder program – Horizontal curves – At grade expressway intersections – Cross centerline crash mitigation – Cross median crash mitigation

42 Proactive Highway System Safety Program Examples of system studies (cont.) – Utility pole crash mitigation – Advance stop sign rumble strips – Milled in interstate shoulder rumble strips – 4-lane to 3-lane conversion opportunities

43 Statewide average = 1.1 / MVM Top 30 average = 11.7 / MVM Worst (of top 30) = 78 / MVM 5% of crashes occur at top 30 locations (1% of curves) 11% of fatals occur at top 30 locations Primary Highway Curves

44 4-Lane to 3-Lane Conversion Before After

45 Utility Pole Delineation

46 AGENDA 2002 Iowa Traffic and Safety Engineering Forum Thursday, September 19, :00 Registration Continental Breakfast 9:00 Welcome Iowa Reports Office of Traffic and Safety (TAS) Traffic Signal Committee Report MUTCD Adoption Status 9:15 Safety Programs FY 2004 Traffic Safety Improvement Program Applications Hazard Elimination Program (HES) Third Reauthorization of the Transportation Equity Act (TEA) Proposed Iowa DOT ITS Architecture Iowa Participation In NCHRP Committees 10:00 Break 10:30 Traffic Safety Partners GTSB Statewide Program SMS Report: Toolbox Older Driver Forum Local SMS -Iowa Metropolitan Multi-D Safety Groups 11:30 Local Traffic Safety Projects Dubuque Red Light Running Project Des Moines Metro I-235 Traffic Management 12:00 Lunch 1:00 Iowa Traffic/Safety Research and Pilot Study Reports and Discussion Diagonal Parking Temporary Speed Hump Impact Evaluation Pedestrian Safety Strategies in Iowa City and Cedar Rapids Utility Pole Delineation 2:00 Data Analysis and Tools Development of an Improved Model for Iowa Intersection Safety Ranking Methodology Crash Data Resources Update - GIS-SAVER: E 5 2:45 Iowa Roundabouts –reports and plans discussionALL Requests for Research / Pilot Studies and Future Forum Topics 3:30 Adjourn Seventh Annual Traffic and Safety Forum Agenda Sponsored by the Office of Traffic and Safety, DOT

47 The next generation of transportation system safety strategies “Each statewide and metropolitan planning process shall provide for consideration of projects and strategies that will increase the safety and security of the transportation system for motorized and non-motorized users.” - TEA-21 Safety Conscious Planning

48 Roadway Safety Audits

Roadway Resurfacing Safety Workshop Sponsored by the Office of Traffic and Safety, DOT

50 Curves Super elevation: add or correct Pave shoulders: outside & inside Shoulder rumble strips Flatten outside slope Remove objects outside curve Delineate, chevron, RPM’s, ball bank advisory

51 Safety Dikes (Escape ramps) Opposite all “T” intersections Free of fixed objects

52 Offset Left Turn Lanes Check warrants & crash history

53 Offset Right Turn Lanes

54 Roadside Trees Within clear zone Control Secondary growth

55 Driveway Slopes Flatten near-vertical Pipe hazard

56 Rip Rap Cover with maximum 4 inch rock Do not create a wall

57 3R Checklist 6 Page Worksheet 31 Review Categories

58 Iowa SMS is: A diverse partnership of highway safety practitioners in engineering, enforcement, education, and emergency services dedicated to reducing the number and severity of crashes on Iowa's roadways.

59 Enforcement Engineering Emergency Response Education Everyone Else The five faces in the SMS logo represent multidiscipline roles in Highway Safety

60 SMS Membership State Agencies –Department of Education –Department of Elder Affairs –Department of Public Health –Department of Public Safety Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau Iowa State Patrol Fire Safety Institute –Department of Transportation Education –Iowa State University Center for Transportation Research & Education

61 SMS Membership Federal Agencies –FHWA - Federal Highway Administration –FMCSA - Federal Motor Carrier Administration –NHTSA - National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Associations and Local Government –American Public Works Association –Iowa County Engineer’s Association –Iowa State Sheriff’s and Deputy’s Association –Iowa Traffic Control and Safety Association Private Sector –AAA Iowa / Minnesota –AARP Iowa –Union Pacific Railroad –Iowa Motor Truck Association –State Farm Insurance

62 SMS Roles Be a “Resource” – Legislature – State and Local Agencies – Communities Identify Alternatives Provide Data No Recommendations

63 Important SMS Elements Identify and provide highway safety related information for the many disciplines and entities involved in highway safety. Promote multi-discipline collaboration in addressing complex highway safety concerns. Provide opportunities for networking and “cross- pollinating” between safety practitioners. Fill gaps between existing programs and fund short-term or start-up safety improvement projects.

64 Iowa SMS Toolbox

Iowa SMS Toolbox of Highway Safety Strategies 28 Key Emphasis Subjects in 5 Areas: Drivers Special Users Highways Emergency Response Management Systems

66 Emphasis Areas Drivers 1. Increasing Driver Safety Awareness 2. Increasing Safety Belt and Child Restraint Usage 3. Preventing Drowsy and Distracted Driving 4. Curbing High-Risk Driving Behaviors 5. Ensuring Drivers are Fully Licensed, Competent, and Insured 6. Education and Licensing for Young Drivers 7. Graduated Licensing for Young Drivers 8. Sustaining Proficiency in Older Drivers Special (Other) Users 9. Making Walking and Street Crossing Safer 10. Ensuring Safer Bicycle Travel 11. Making School Bus Travel Safer 12. Making Public Transit Travel Safer 13. Improving Motorcycle Safety and Increasing Motorcycle Awareness 14. Making Truck Travel Safer 15. Reducing Farm Vehicle Crashes

67 Highways 16. Improving the Design and Operation of Highway Intersections 17. Keeping Vehicles on the Roadway and Minimizing the Consequences of Leaving the Road 18. Reducing Head-On and Across-Median Crashes 19. Improving Work Zone Safety 20. Accommodating Older Drivers 21. Reducing Train-Vehicle Crashes 22. Reducing Deer-Vehicle Crashes 23. Implementing Road Safety Audits Emergency Response 24. Enhancing Emergency Response Capabilities to Increase Survivability Management Systems 25. Improving Information and Decision Support Systems 26. Using Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) to Improve Highway safety 27. Creating More Effective Processes and Safety Management Systems Designing Safer Work Zones 28. Developing and Encouraging Multidisciplinary Safety Teams Emphasis Areas

68 Signed by : Iowa’s Governor & Lt. Governor 6 Department Directors 3 Federal Administrators The SMS Toolbox Charter

69 CD Version 300+ page Toolbox 20 page Executive Summary TOOLBOX Products

70 Funded young driver (GDL) “Heads Up” video developed by Office of Driver Services Funded a pilot project with stop arm video cameras to document improper school bus passing. (Department of Education, school districts, and law enforcement) Toolbox Strategy Implementation

71 Piloted “Safe Wheeler” classroom curriculum. Revised materials were sent to all Iowa elementary PE instructors as part of a broader collaborative bicycle safety program. Funded upgrades for Iowa Road Conditions web site and 511 voice recognition phone access (DOT’s ITS and DPS project) Toolbox Strategy Implementation

72 Crash data retrieval “black box” pilot project. UNI analysis of older driver crash characteristics and locations Toolbox Strategy Implementation

73  Supported local Multi-Disciplinary Safety Team (MDTS) projects and development Sponsored a statewide MDST peer exchange Provided incident management training Helped fund local incident management planning handbooks Helped fund local team crash investigation software tools Helped fund local “Heat” safety awareness project Toolbox Strategy Implementation

Toolbox Strategy Implementation Funded older driver video “Choices Not Chances” developed by the Office of Driver Services Sponsored the Iowa Safe Mobility Decisions for Older Drivers Forum

75 Beginning An Action Plan for Lifelong Safe Mobility Decisions Sponsored by members and friends of the Iowa Safety Management System

76 Safe Mobility Decisions… What Do We Know About Aging? How Valuable is Safe Mobility Why Be Concerned for Older Drivers? What Decisions Are to be Made? Transportation Systems Licensing and Public Education Driver Assessments and Medical Conditions Senior Services Community Family Who will make the decisions?

77 Forum Goals Listening to our older Iowans Raising public awareness Connecting practitioners and experts involved in older driver decisions

78 Older Driver Forum June 2002

79 Resources Produced 1.Data 2.Decision Guide 3.“Choices Not Chances” video

80 Executive Summary Data Presented Presentation Summaries Potential “Strategies for Implementation” listed by attendees Report Contents

81 Forum Attendees’ Potential Strategies for Implementation Roadways and Engineering (summarized) – Provide larger and brighter signs and pavement markings – Improve signals and lighting – Install more paved shoulders and rumble strips – Improve intersections with turn lanes or other solutions – Ensure roadways are planned or improved with aging population in mind.

82 Forum Attendees’ Potential Strategies for Implementation Drivers (summarized) – Provide or require ongoing education or enrichment programs – Identify ways to self assess driving capacity changes – Ensure that procedures for limiting driving of others are better understood and utilized. Senior Services (summarized) – Ensure access to safe mobility decisions information. – Provide, options, resources, alternative transportation and other mobility related services.

83 Potential Forum Outcomes Resources and information to help aging drivers, their families and communities make good decisions Regional follow-ups Information for policy makers addressing older Iowans’ transportation needs

84

85 Iowa Highway Safety Programs Office of Traffic and Safety Iowa Department of Transportation Contacts: Safety Programs – Tom Welch, P.E. (515) Data Analysis Tools – Michael Pawlovich(515) Iowa SMS – Mary Stahlhut (515)