Comprehensive Highway Safety Plan Leadership and Management Getting buy in … Getting started … Managing the process …

Leadership and Management Why is it important? Without leadership and support at the highest levels, it’s very difficult to initiate real change.

Ohio’s Experience Getting buy in … Ohio has a history of developing interagency relationships and successful pilot projects that led executive leadership to support development of a plan.

Ohio’s Experience Key events: Quarterly safety meetings w/ key agencies Culture change at ODOT (2002) New relationship between ODOT/GHSO ODOT creates Safety Office Safety funding increased -$30 to $65 M annually Commitment to joint pilot projects ( ) Ohio LifeSavers (2005)

Ohio’s Experience Pilot projects focus on 3Es: Amish Buggy Work Zone Safety Ohio Safe Commute Safety Belt Mobilization Success leads to leadership support for other initiatives.

Ohio’s Experience Leadership buys into goal: ODOT, ODPS lead state in adopting Common goal of 1.0 fatalities per 100 mvmt

Ohio’s Experience Mechanism to meet 2008 goal: Comprehensive Highway Safety PlanComprehensive Highway Safety Plan Safety Conscious Planning WorkshopsSafety Conscious Planning Workshops

Ohio’s Experience FHWA ODOT NHTSA ODPS (GHSO, OSP, EMS) FMCSA PUCO FRA ORDC County Engineers MPOs Comprehensive Highway Safety Plan Safety champions include:

Ohio’s Experience Step 1: Comprehensive Highway Safety Plan Data gathering (January) Two-day workshop (April – FHWA facilitator) Plan development (Summer) Half-day workshop key stakeholders (November) Public comment (thru December)

Ohio’s Experience Next Steps (2006) Signed document (January) Safety Champions develop performance measures (February) Statewide Safety Partners commit resources (spring) Quarterly focus report (summer) Ultimate measurement: fewer fatalities

Ohio’s Experience Safety Conscious Planning Workshops Ohio needed a tool to focus local governments on statewide fatality goal (home rule state)

Ohio’s Experience Step 2: Safety Conscious Planning Workshops Purpose: Educate locals on 2008 goal, share crash data and listen to local priorities. Began Fall 2004 ½ day workshops in MPO areas (17 total) Pilot project in area with strong safety focus and Safe Communities partner

Ohio’s Experience Step 2: Safety Conscious Planning Workshops Product: Local list of safety priorities. Problem locations and driver behaviors identified in an annual work plan with strategies and costs. Example: state funded $2 million in local projects in Lima area

Ohio’s Experience

Safety in Rural Ohio Rural areas being addressed through County Engineers Association. Required to spend $10 million in STP funds for safety projects on any public road.

Ohio’s Experience In summary … Step 1: Build and sustain partnerships Step 2: Develop a plan Step 3: Develop a mechanism for cross- jurisdictional implementation

Other Perspectives

Common Themes … States in various stages of development State DOT’s and/or SHSO leading effort Staged process with executive committee setting direction and safety advocates providing input Some use consultants, others FHWA facilitator

Illinois Getting buy in … Transportation Secretary champion Created Safety Engineering Bureau to oversee development and implementation Assistance from Traffic Safety Division (SHSO)

Illinois Getting started … Top DOT management identified 10 emphasis areas Two safety summits with safety advocates Web site to solicit feedback

Illinois Managing the process … Managed by Safety Engineering Bureau Statewide safety committee meeting with 9 DOT Districts to incorporate plan into projects Meetings with MPOs

Iowa Getting started … Developed Toolbox of Strategies (2002) Identified emphasis areas based on expert input, data Developed small projects and pilot studies to advance emphasis areas (state and local) Using toolbox and SMS membership to advance public awareness Toolbox lays the groundwork for SHSP development (consultant selection underway)

Iowa Managing the process … State DOT (Office of Traffic & Safety) Full-time employee to manage SMS activities Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau Assistance from SMS Membership Also using Safety Conscious Planning to educate and involve local engineers, planners, law enforcement officers.

Kentucky Buy in … Governor created Executive Committee on Highway Safety to “speak with one voice” Includes upper level management from variety of public and private safety organizations Support of Kentucky Transportation Cabinet to improve “soft” and “hard” side of safety

Kentucky Managing the process … State DOT - Highway Safety Operations Manager focal point of management Worked with Governor’s Committee to develop emphasis areas Each emphasis area has a multi-discipline team to oversee implementation Series of district coordinators dedicated to 4Es

Louisiana Getting buy in … “Horrific crash record” Used cost of crashes to gain public official support Media editorial boards to communicate message to public and build support for plan

Louisiana Managing the process … SHSO has contract w/ safety engineer advising GR Develop small committees responsible for implementing strategies Develop mechanism to keep people informed and involved in process ( , fax, etc.)

Final Thoughts You can borrow ideas from your peers to set your SHSP in the right direction.

Final Thoughts The key is to … Use SAFETEA-LU to build support Good Communication Good COMMUNICATION! Find champions wherever they exist