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FHWA Highway Safety Programs

Use of Safety Data in the HSIP

Graphic. Logo for the Highway Safety Improvement Program. Includes the slogan: "Data Driven Decision"The overall objective of the HSIP is to significantly reduce the occurrence of fatalities and serious injuries resulting from crashes on all public roads.  FHWA established a formalized HSIP process to ensure that the HSIP is carried out in an organized, systematic manner where the greatest benefits are achieved.  The 23 CFR Part 924 states that “The HSIP shall include a data-driven SHSP and the resulting implementation through highway safety improvement projects.”  Further, it defines a SHSP as “a comprehensive, data-driven safety plan developed, implemented, and evaluated in accordance with 23 U.S.C. 148”(1).

The formalized HSIP process consists of three major components—planning, implementation, and evaluation—and addresses the role of safety data in the HSIP. Additional language from 23 CFR 924 on how data are to be used in the HSIP for each of these components includes:

§ 924.9 Planning

(a) The HSIP planning process shall incorporate:

(1) A process for collecting and maintaining a record of crash, roadway, traffic and vehicle data on all public roads including railway-highway grade crossings inventory data that includes, but is not limited to, the characteristics of both highway and train traffic.

(2) A process for advancing the State’s capabilities for safety data collection and analysis by improving the timeliness, accuracy, completeness, uniformity, integration, and accessibility of the State’s safety data or traffic records.

(3) A process for analyzing available safety data.

§ 924.11 Implementation

(d)…In addition, up to two percent of the section 130 funds apportioned to a State may be used for compilation and analysis of safety data for the annual report to the FHWA Division Administrator required under § 924.15(a).

§ 924.13 Evaluation.

(a) The HSIP evaluation process shall include the evaluation of the overall HSIP and the SHSP. It shall:

(i) Ensure the accuracy and currency of the safety data (1).

While 23 CFR 924 provides guidance on how safety data should be used, there is no additional detail on the specific data elements that State and local agencies should be collecting, maintaining, and using to support their HSIP and the development and implementation of their SHSPs.