2003 MPO Conference Hazard Elimination Projects: An Update Rick O. Drumm, P.E. Safety Operations Engineer FHWA – Indiana Division

The News

War is hell. -William Tecumseh Sherman

Cause of Death Cancer Stroke HIV Homicide Heart Disease Suicide Motor Vehicle Crashes Other Accidents

It’s the stupid driver’s fault! -The Highway Planner -- The Highway Designer --The Highway Construction Supervisor -- The Highway Maintenance Worker

Systems Approach: Contributing Factors to Crashes Vehicle 12% Roadway34% Driver 93% 93% 3 % 57 % 2 % 27% 6 % 1 % 3 %

Show me the data!

Vehicle Crash Record System (VCRS)

What’s Next?  Provide EVCRS to Law Enforcement  Develop Web Access to VCRS System  Complete all collision report “backlogs”

Agency Web Access  Query collision database to obtain statistical information  View and print image of collision report  Request data from VCRS  Request “canned” reports such as:  Impaired Driving Statistics  Number of Collisions  Seat belt usage  Available July 2000

Backlog  ISP Goal - All collision information available from 1993 to present day by March, 2004

Highway Safety Improvement Program An Update on HES Projects

Hazard Elimination Program Goal for HCL’s To improve the safety of hazardous locations by using low cost, interim treatments designed to eliminate specific types of crashes.

HEP/HCL Process Get Data in Order – Crashes, types, locations, number, severity, etc. Prioritize Calculate B/C (Benefit/Cost) ratios –Cost of Treatment –Benefit to Road User –Systematic Approach, e.g. INDOT Design Manual Submit Report

Examples of Approved HES Projects from MPO’s