State Safety Charter

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

SHSP Implementation Chart

Original publication: SHSP Implementation Process Model, Supplement Number 1 – Case Studies; FHWA-SA-10-025; 2010(PDF, 1MB)

Key Accomplishments

• Successfully tracked SHSP implementation progress across multiple agencies.
• Facilitated ownership of strategy implementation efforts by lead agencies.

One of the most challenging aspects of SHSP implementation is tracking the responsibilities and activities undertaken by multiple partners to address different emphasis areas. To comprehensively manage this process, Ohio developed “Implementation Charts,” which are easy-to-use templates for documenting the strategies, action steps, and implementation responsibilities within each SHSP emphasis area. Each action step includes a brief description, relative performance indicators, the agency or agencies responsible for implementation, relative cost, timeline, and whether this is a new or existing program. Relative cost is qualitatively classified as low (less than $100,000), moderate ($100,000 to $500,000), moderate to high ($500,000 to $2 million), or high (more than $2 million). The timeline is classified as short (less than one year), medium (one to two years), or long (more than two years). The charts also document the status of activities as individual action steps are undertaken. The Implementation Charts are in an easy-to-read format and provide the fundamental information necessary for tracking SHSP implementation.

Results

By using the Implementation Charts, partners are better able to track the status of action items and ensure tasks are completed on time. Additionally, action step responsibilities are clearly defined, communicated, and reported so each agency takes ownership for specific aspects of SHSP implementation.

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

Enforcement and Engineering Collaboration

Original publication: SHSP Implementation Process Model, Supplement Number 1 – Case Studies; FHWA-SA-10-025; 2010(PDF, 1MB)

Key Accomplishments

• Developed structure for enhanced collaboration on commercial vehicle issues.
• Increased discussion of truck safety issues to support the SHSP.
• Installed new infrastructure to increase truck regulatory enforcement.

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) engineering staff and the State Police developed a commercial vehicle strategy team comprised of six individuals from each agency for enhanced communication and collaboration.

The catalyst for formation of the team was a professionally facilitated three-day meeting during which participants discussed organizational and operational challenges and the need for a new approach. During this initial meeting, the concept of the Commercial Vehicle Strategy Team was generated, and the group developed a mission statement, goals, and defined a quarterly meeting structure.

On an ongoing basis, the team collaborates on truck size and weight and safety issues with a subcommittee dedicated to each. The subcommittees make recommendations to the Committee at large on improvements.

Results

As a result of input from the Strategy Team, MDOT has installed 15 new weigh stations and maintained and enhanced other stations previously targeted for closure. The State has installed wireless weigh-in-motion technology at 21 locations, and repairs and enhancements are being made to existing sites. MDOT has installed safe enforcement sites (pull-out stations) where trucks can be safely pulled over for size and weight inspections.

Contact:
Captain Robert Powers
Traffic Safety Division
Michigan State Police
517-336-6447
powersr@michigan.gov

Roadway Safety Noteworthy Practices - Past Events

Integration of Tribal Roadway Safety Needs into the SHSP Process (5/24/16)

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Making Complete Streets in Portland, CT

2021 Road Safety Award

Located in central Connecticut and responsible for 63 miles of roadway, the Town of Portland is a small community of under 10,000 residents that faced serious safety concerns regarding vehicle speeds and limited opportunities for safe walking and cycling. To address these concerns, a grassroots Complete Streets Group (CSG) wrote the Complete Streets Policy and got the Town’s elected leaders to formally adopt it in 2016. The CSG then started working with Public Works and the Town Engineer to plan, design, and construct safety improvements.

Read more

Roadway Safety Noteworthy Practices Resources

Noteworthy Practices in Public Roads

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Introduction

The U.S. Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has prioritized increasing the level of local agency participation in statewide safety planning efforts.

Appendixes

References

Summary