Comparison to Previous Years

The HSIP National Summary Baseline Report 2009-2012 reported project and cost information for HSIP reports submitted by the States for years 2009-2012. The information from the baseline report is summarized below with the purpose of comparing basic cost and project information to the 2013 and 2014 reports. Table 3 below shows that States obligated $12.6B for more than 15,000 projects over the six-year period. These obligations include not only HSIP funds apportioned during the reporting period (2009-2014), but also HSIP funds available from previous years' apportionments.

2013-2014 Comparison

Most states prepared their 2013 and 2014 HSIP reports in accordance with the MAP-21 HSIP Reporting Guidance; therefore FHWA can make a direct comparison of information related to the 2013 and 2014 highway safety improvement projects. As can be seen in Table 1 below, the total number of projects and cost of projects did not change much from 2013 to 2014. The breakdown in project costs for various breakpoints was also similar.

Table 1. Total number of projects and project cost breakdown, 2013-2014

SHSP Emphasis Areas

Based on a review of State SHSPs, FHWA identified the eight SHSP emphasis areas common across most States. These emphasis areas are used in the HSIP online reporting tool for categorizing HSIP projects. Figure 17 presents the number of HSIP projects categorized by SHSP emphasis area. For consistency and national reporting purposes, state-defined SHSP emphasis areas were assigned to these emphasis areas, where possible. Please note that States sometimes categorize a single project by several SHSP Emphasis Areas.

Improvement Categories and Subcategories

Under the HSIP MAP-21 reporting guidance, each project should be assigned a general improvement category and a subcategory under that general category. While a single project may consist of multiple project types, FHWA directs States to assign each project to only one category. The category chosen should align with the primary purpose of the project. Figure 8 and Figure 9 show the distribution of the number of projects by general improvement category. Figure 10 and Figure 11 combined show the distribution of the total cost of projects by general improvement category.

Functional Class and Ownership

Figure 3 through Figure 7 illustrate the distribution of projects by the types of roads on which they were conducted. Figure 3 shows number of projects by functional class, following the HPMS classification scheme; Figure 4 shows average total cost of projects by functional class; Figure 5 shows the number and average total cost of projects by urban/rural designation; Figure 6 shows projects by the agency who owns the road; and Figure 7 shows average total cost of projects by the agency who owns the road.

Project Cost

The cost per HSIP project in 2014 ranged widely. Some projects were small in scope and cost, such as replacing signs on a particular route. Others were higher cost projects, such as widening a highway or reconfiguring an intersection. Figure 2 shows the breakdown by project cost, grouped into general categories with breakpoints at $100,000, $500,000, and $1,000,000.

HSIP Project Overview

States provide project specific information for all projects obligated with HSIP funds during the reporting period in their annual HSIP reports. The reporting period is defined by the State and can be calendar year, state fiscal year or federal fiscal year. For 2014, the States obligated $2.96B for 3,214 total projects. These obligations utilized funds apportioned during the 2014 fiscal year as well as HSIP funds available from previous years' apportionments.

As per the HSIP MAP-21 Reporting Guidance, project specific information includes:

HSIP Funding Approach

Prior to MAP-21, each apportioned program had its own formula for distribution, and the total amount of Federal assistance a State received was the sum of the amounts it received for each program. MAP-21 instead provides a total apportionment for each State and then divides that apportionment amount among individual apportioned programs.

MAP-21 authorizes a total combined amount ($37.5 billion in FY13 and $37.8 billion in FY14) in contract authority to fund five formula programs (including certain set-asides within the programs described below):

Background

The Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) is a core Federal-aid program with the objective to achieve a significant reduction in traffic fatalities and serious injuries on all public roads through the implementation of highway safety improvement projects. The HSIP, similar to other Federal-aid programs, is a federally-funded, state administered program. The FHWA establishes the HSIP requirements via 23 CFR 924, and the States develop and administer a program to best meet their needs.

Executive Summary

The Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) is a core Federal-aid program with the purpose to achieve a significant reduction in fatalities and serious injuries on all public roads. Under the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act, Congress authorized approximately $2.4 billion per year for States to achieve this goal through the implementation of highway safety improvement projects, which is nearly double the amount that was authorized under the previous legislative act.