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FHWA Highway Safety Programs

Minnesota Makes Systemic Safety Improvements Based on Risk Assessments at County Level

Publication Year:

Original publication: FHWA Safety Program | Practice - Minnesota (PDF, 426kB)

Overview of Practice

Minnesota DOT (Mn/DOT) is another example of a state implementing a systemic approach. While Missouri's approach is focused on state-maintained roadways, Minnesota has taken a different approach through the development of safety plans for each of state's 87 counties. The safety plans disaggregate the severe crash types by each of the AASHTO SHSP emphasis areas to identify emphasis and target crash types at the regional level. Mn/DOT has selected crash surrogates for various facility types to use in the risk assessment. Locations identified and included in the plans can be submitted for project funding through the HSIP.

Results

One example is a risk assessment based on curve radius. Evaluating the data against surrogate risk factors helped Minnesota identify curves with 500-1,200 foot radii to consider for systemic improvements.

"Vertical bar chart that shows that the majority of fatal crashes occurred with a curve radius of between 500 and 1200"

Contact

Bradley Estochen
State Safety Engineer
Minnesota Department of Transportation
651-234-7011
Bradley.Estochen@state.mn.us

Publication Year: 2011