Original publication: SHSP Implementation Process Model, Supplement Number 1 – Case Studies; FHWA-SA-10-025 (PDF, 1MB)

Key Accomplishments

• Developed a formal agreement among stakeholder agencies to support SHSP.
• Publicly declared a fatality reduction goal to focus stakeholder agency efforts.
• Added flexibility to the agreement to allow the SHSP goals to change as new data become available.

In 2005, to strengthen the commitment to safety, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) and SHSP steering committee were given authority by the Governor and key agency Directors to make decisions regarding the safety planning process. To formally document Ohio’s commitment to safety and the collaborative process, lead agency Directors signed a MOU, known as the “Safety Charter.” The charter will be updated as trends change. The charter identifies eight overarching strategies defining the agencies’ shared mission and Ohio safety priorities:

• Crash data improvements;
• Use of a multidisciplinary approach;
• Coordination of resources at all levels of government;
• Coordination across jurisdictional boundaries;
• Pursuit of innovative technologies;
• Education of road system users;
• Involvement by nontraditional partners; and
• On-going evaluation.

The charter also commits Ohio to reduce the fatality rate to no more than 1.0 per 100 million vehicle miles of travel or 1,100 fatalities per year by the end of 2008. In 2010 the Charter will be updated to include county engineers and other local government representatives.

The charter was signed by the leadership of ODOT, the Ohio Rail Development Commission, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, the Ohio Department of Public Safety (DPS), State Highway Patrol, FHWA, FMCSA, NHTSA, and FRA. Signatories pledged the necessary resources to address the principles outlined.

Results

All partner agencies committed in writing to contribute resources and support the SHSP goals. The charter formally empowers ODOT and SHSP leadership to manage and implement the SHSP.

Contact:
Michelle May
Safety Program Manager
Ohio DOT
614-644-8309
Michelle.May@dot.state.oh.us