1 Briefing on Draft Safety Element for the 2007 CLRP Michael J. Farrell Andrew J. Meese, AICP COG/TPB Staff TPB Technical Committee November 2, 2007 Item #10

2 Need for a Transportation Safety Element of the CLRP Traffic Safety is critical to quality of life and other TPB goals Safety already informs multiple elements of the CLRP A specific Transportation Safety Element will give Safety a higher profile with the TPB and the public –Better information, better decision-making A Safety Element is required by SAFTETEA-LU

3 Federal Regulations SAFETEA-LU made Safety a separate Planning Factor to be addressed in the CLRP Metropolitan long-range plans developed after July 1, 2007 must have a Safety Element Federal regulations for metropolitan planning issued February 14, 2007 address Safety: –Safety Planning Factor: 2. Increase the safety of the transportation system for motorized and non- motorized users. –The Safety Element “The metropolitan transportation plan should include a safety element that incorporates or summarize the priorities, goals, countermeasures, or projects for the MPA contained in the (State) Strategic Highway Safety Plan …” [§ (a), § (h), Metropolitan Transportation Planning, Final Rule, Federal Register, February 14, 2007]

4 Transportation Safety Subcommittee Background – June 6 Safety Forum –Broad participation: State DOT’s, local staff, law enforcement, public health, citizens Approximately 45 attendees –Received Presentations on the three State Strategic Highway Safety Plans –Discussed the possibility of forming a Safety Subcommittee Follow-up meeting of Safety Stakeholders July 31 st Bimonthly meetings anticipated

5 Proposed Roles for a Safety Subcommittee Roles –Oversee Safety Element of the CLRP –Exchange information among Safety stakeholders –Identify opportunities for coordination of safety programs –Compile regional safety data and identify regional problems –Advise the TPB and TPB Technical Committee on Safety Membership –Broad participation of Safety Stakeholders –Designated representative/contact from TPB member agencies

6 FY 2008 TPB Committee Structure

7 Schedule June 6, 2007Transportation Safety Summit July 1New FY2008 resources began (separate UPWP task) July 31 st 2007Meeting of Safety Stakeholders October 5Tech Committee review of process framework October 26Draft CLRP components available for review November 2 TPB Technical Committee discussion of updated CLRP components DecemberFinal draft updated CLRP Safety Element January 16, 2008Approval of updated CLRP including Safety Element Winter/Spring 2008Follow-up activities

8 Draft Safety Element for the Updated CLRP - Outline 1.TPB Role in Transportation Safety 2.Transportation Safety in the Washington Region 2A. Causes and Types of Crashes 2B. Geographic Distribution 2C. Regional Safety Programs 3.Need for a Transportation Safety Element 4.State Strategic Highway Safety Plans 5. Regional Transportation Safety Emphasis Areas

9 Page 1: TPB Role in Transportation Safety TPB Vision (1998) provides policy framework for development of CLRP –Calls for: Safer transportation facilities for pedestrians, bicyclists, and persons with special needs Priority to the safety of all modes and facilities Enforcement of traffic laws and motor carrier safety regulations Achievement of national targets for seatbelt use Appropriate features in facility design Implementation of effective safety measures, including –Red-light cameras –Skid-resistant pavements –Elimination of Roadside hazards –Better Intersection controls

10 Page 1: TPB Role in Transportation Safety (continued) TIP identifies Safety Projects/Funding Safety Interactions in the TPB Work Program –CMP –Management & Operations Traffic Signals –Bicycle and Pedestrian Street Smart –Bus –Freight –Access for All –Transportation-Land Use Connections Program –Transportation Safety Subcommittee Street Smart Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Program Outlook

11 Page 2: Transportation Safety in the Washington Region Deaths and Injuries Page 2A: Causes and Types of Crashes Page 2B: Geographic Distribution Staff has compiled and reviewed available datasets Further data gathering & compilation needed

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14 Page 2C: Regional Transportation Safety Programs Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP) Smooth Operator Street Smart TPB staff will participate in planning for these programs –Transportation Safety Subcommittee may identify other media and enforcement efforts that could benefit from regional coordination

15 Page 3: Need for a Transportation Safety Element of the CLRP Describes Importance of Traffic Safety to quality of life and other TPB goals Describes Interactions of Safety with TPB Programs Notes federal requirements and identifies this document as the response to those requirements

16 Page 4: State Strategic Highway Safety Plans (SHSPs) Describes DC, Maryland and Virginia Strategic Highway Safety Plans Describes SHSP process for choosing Safety goals and Emphasis areas (example: impaired driving) Data-driven –Better information and Decision Support Systems are a key emphasis area States to develop Implementation Plans

17 Page 5: Traffic Safety Emphasis Areas for the Washington Region SHSP goals and emphasis areas are incorporated into the Traffic Safety Element of the CLRP using the following considerations: –Common goals and Emphasis Areas –Emphasis areas that lend themselves to regional planning Regional media/enforcement Regional Data sharing and compilation Exchange of information on best practices –Emphasis areas tied to other areas of the CLRP Pedestrians, bicyclists, freight, bus, disabled, emergency response

18 Follow-Up Activities Regional Data Compilation & Analysis –States are upgrading their traffic records systems to provide better and more timely data –Brief the Safety Subcommittee, other Committees on results as needed Coordination with Other Committees –Continue to participate in the SHSP planning process –Coordinate with WRAP, Smooth Operator –Attend other relevant TPB committee meetings, interact with COG Public Safety Program as appropriate Transportation Safety Subcommittee to begin regular meetings –Agencies may wish to designate representatives