Below are links to select publications and resources from the Federal Highway Administration’s Office of Safety. We have many more resources on our main landing page to help those working toward zero roadway fatalities. Join our email list to receive the latest information, from our Safety Compass e-newsletter.

For those New to Roadway Safety

• The Safe Systems Approach (FHWA-SA-20-015)
• Proven Safety Countermeasures Booklet (FHWA-SA-21-071)
• Proven Safety Countermeasures in Rural Communities (FHWA-SA-24-005)
• Road Safety Fundamentals: Concepts, Strategies, and Practices that Reduce Fatalities and Injuries on the Road (FHWA-SA-18-003)
• DIY Local Road Safety Planning Website
• Vision Zero Toolkit (FHWA-SA-18-003)
• Roadway Safety Noteworthy Practices | An online FHWA database of more than 300 case studies searchable by State, topic, and year.

Funding Safer Roadways and Innovative Contracting Processes

• Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A)
• Complete Streets Funding Poster
• Using the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) to Improve Vulnerable Road User Safety (FHWA-SA-23-020)
• Noteworthy Practices from the Highway Safety Improvement Program
  • Design-Build Contracting
  • Force Accounts
  • Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Contracting
  • Procurement and Installation of Materials

Applying the Safe System Approach

• Safe System Roadway Design Hierarchy (HWA-SA-22-069)
• Safe System Alignment Frameworks (FHWA-SA-24-015) |An overview of tools to help quantify alignment of projects and policies with Safe System principles and elements. 
• Integrating the Safe System Approach with the Highway Safety Improvement Program: An Informational Report (FHWA-SA-20-018)
• Safe System Approach for the Urban Core (FHWA-SA-23-001)
• Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) and the Safe System Approach (webpage)

Integrating Equity in Roadway Safety

• Equity in Roadway Safety
• Equity in Roadway Safety Webinar Series

Protecting Vulnerable Road Users: Intersections, Transit, and Roadway Lighting

• Improving Intersections for Pedestrians and Bicyclists Informational Guide (FHWA-SA-22-017) and Companion Fact Sheets (FHWA-SA-22-041)
• Improving Pedestrian Safety on Urban Arterials: Learning from Australasia
• Improving Safety for Pedestrians and Bicyclists Accessing Transit (FHWA-SA-21-130)
• Pedestrian Lighting Primer (FHWA-SA-21-087)
• Lighting Handbook 2023 (FHWA-SA-23-004)

Supporting Speed Management

• Safe System Approach for Speed Management (FHWA-SA-23-002)
• Speed Safety Camera Program Planning and Operations Guide

Designing Safer Roads

• Design Decision Documentation and Mitigation Strategies for Design Exceptions, Full Report (FHWA-SA-23-009) and Tech Brief (FHWA-SA-23-010)

Keeping Vehicles on the Road

Pavement

• Pavement Friction for Road Safety (FHWA-SA-23-007)
• Characterizing Safety Performance Using Pavement Friction (FHWA-SA-23-006)
• Continuous Pavement Friction Measurement for a Safe System (FHWA-SA-22-052)
• High Friction Surface Treatments: Frequently Asked Questions – 2022 Update (FHWA-SA-22-016)
• No Gaps: Kentucky Pilots New Friction Management Approach (FHWA-SA-23-017)

Focus on Reducing Rural Roadway Departure (FoRRRwD)

• The Four Pillars of FoRRRwD: 1) Safety Action Plans 2) Systemic Approach 3) All Public Roads 4) Proven Countermeasures
• Rural Roadway Departure Countermeasure Pocket Guide
• Focus on Reducing Rural Roadway Departures Poster

Using Safety Data to Inform Decisions

• Model Inventory of Roadway Elements and the Fundamental Data Elements (FHWA-SA-17-048)
• Crash Modification Factors Clearinghouse
• Systemic Approach to Safety, landing page
• Safety Data Case Studies
• Highway Safety Manual

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