Road safety is a priority for transportation agencies, and many have established the goal of reaching zero deaths from roadway crashes through a Safe System Approach. People experiencing homelessness have an increased risk of being killed or seriously injured in traffic crashes, and transportation agencies can make significant progress towards their goal of zero deaths by implementing promising practices that sustainably, effectively, and humanely address road safety for people experiencing homelessness. 

These practices are increasingly relevant as homelessness in the United States has been rising and more individuals are experiencing it in unsheltered settings, such as encampments on the public right-of-way (ROW). Transportation agencies can be a part of the solution to address safety for people experiencing homelessness.   

This Case Study highlights how State and local transportation agencies and professionals are implementing strategies to address the road safety needs of people experiencing homelessness, a population that experiences significant disparities in roadway fatalities, as part of their work to reach the goal of zero deaths. The Case Study shares information on seven promising practices. Each promising practice includes a description, suggested actions to implement the promising practice, and examples of how State and local transportation agencies are implementing them.

The promising practices were developed from interviews with three agencies (Texas Department of Transportation’s Austin District, Hawaii Department of Transportation, and the City of San José, California), a literature review of 20 publications, and input from a panel of experts representing Federal, State, and local agencies; academics; and non-profit organizations. 

This Case Study is divided into two sections: 

• Background: Provides an overview of the current state of practice and needs related to transportation agencies’ involvement with people experiencing homelessness, defines key terms, and highlights policy and legal resources.
• Promising Practices: Elaborates on the following promising practices and examples. 
  • Engage People Experiencing Homelessness in Planning and Decision-making
  • Collect and Analyze Data to Guide Decisions
    • Identify potential data sources to better understand the connection between transportation systems and homelessness
    • Use data to guide effective decision-making
    • Track impact of strategies to understand effectiveness
  • Leverage DOT Resources to Support Affordable Housing and Services
    • Provide vacant land to establish sanctioned encampments with transitional housing
    • Coordinate with developers and housing agencies to increase affordable housing
  • Offer Training to Increase Capacity and Improve Treatment of People Experiencing Homelessness in the Right-of-Way (ROW)
  • Lead Coordination to Maximize Effectiveness of Addressing Homelessness
    • Hire staff dedicated and trained to coordinate activities and programs related to people experiencing homelessness
    • Coordinate and build a coalition that is dedicated to developing comprehensive solutions for improving safety for people experiencing homelessness.
  • Plan, Design, Build, and Operate Transportation Facilities that Prioritize Safety and Accommodation for All Users, with Particular Attention to the Travel Needs of People Experiencing Homelessness
  • Engage in Dignified Interactions with People Living in Encampments
    • Coordinate with social service agencies to provide services and follow-through
    • Provide storage for personal items
    • Provide basic health and hygiene services to people living in encampments