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HSIP

Left Nav - HSA Legislative Safety Programs

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 and FY 15) 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.

Attachment 1: Highway Safety Improvement Categories

Highway Safety Improvement Project Categories
(Source: HSIS Safety Improvements Database)

While a single project may consist of multiple project types, each project should be assigned to only one category and sub-category combination. The category/sub-category chosen should align with the primary purpose of the project.

Protection of Data from Discovery & Admission into Evidence

Section 148(h)(4) of title 23 provides that data compiled or collected for the preparation of the HSIP Report "...shall not be subject to discovery or admitted into evidence in a Federal or State court proceeding or considered for other purposes in an action for damages arising from any occurrence at a location identified or addressed in [such] reports..." This information may also be protected under 23 U.S.C. 409 (discovery and admission as evidence of certain reports and surveys).

Compliance Assessment

The HSIP and Safety Performance Measure Final Rules[4] introduced several new requirements relating to the SHSP update cycle, Model Inventory of Roadway Elements (MIRE) fundamental data elements, and serious injury definition. In addition, FHWA established a strategic initiative for every State to conduct an HSIP program assessment at least once every 5 years.

Effectiveness of Improvements

Under 23 U.S.C. 148(c)(2)(F)(i), States must establish an evaluation process to analyze and assess results achieved by highway safety improvement projects. States should report evaluation results from individual project locations, the effectiveness of groupings or similar types of highway safety improvement projects (e.g., particular countermeasures), and the effectiveness of the program as a whole. States typically look back at least 3 years for project and program evaluations. For example, States would look back to projects completed in 2013 for the 2017 report.