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Briefing on DraftSafety Element for the 2007 CLRP

Michael J. FarrellAndrew J. Meese, AICP

COG/TPB Staff

TPB Technical CommitteeNovember 2, 2007

Item #10

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Need for a Transportation Safety Element of the CLRP

• Traffic Safety is critical to quality of life and other TPB goals

• Safety already informs multiple elements of the CLRP

• A specific Transportation Safety Element will give Safety a higher profile with the TPB and the public– Better information, better decision-making

• A Safety Element is required by SAFTETEA-LU

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Federal Regulations

• SAFETEA-LU made Safety a separate Planning Factor to be addressed in the CLRP

• Metropolitan long-range plans developed after July 1, 2007 must have a Safety Element

• Federal regulations for metropolitan planning issued February 14, 2007 address Safety:

– Safety Planning Factor:

2. Increase the safety of the transportation system for motorized and non-motorized users.

– The Safety Element

“The metropolitan transportation plan should include a safety element that incorporates or summarize the priorities, goals, countermeasures, or projects for the MPA contained in the (State) Strategic Highway Safety Plan …”

[§450.306(a), §450.322 (h) , Metropolitan Transportation Planning, Final Rule, Federal Register, February 14, 2007]

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Transportation Safety Subcommittee

• Background – June 6 Safety Forum – Broad participation:

• State DOT’s, local staff, law enforcement, public health, citizens

• Approximately 45 attendees– Received Presentations on the three State Strategic

Highway Safety Plans– Discussed the possibility of forming a Safety

Subcommittee

• Follow-up meeting of Safety Stakeholders July 31st

• Bimonthly meetings anticipated

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Proposed Roles for a Safety Subcommittee

• Roles– Oversee Safety Element of the CLRP– Exchange information among Safety stakeholders– Identify opportunities for coordination of safety programs– Compile regional safety data and identify regional problems– Advise the TPB and TPB Technical Committee on Safety

• Membership– Broad participation of Safety Stakeholders – Designated representative/contact from TPB member agencies

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FY 2008 TPB Committee Structure

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ScheduleJune 6, 2007 Transportation Safety Summit

July 1 New FY2008 resources began (separate UPWP task)

July 31st 2007 Meeting of Safety Stakeholders

October 5 Tech Committee review of process framework

October 26 Draft CLRP components available for review

November 2TPB Technical Committee discussion of updated CLRP components

December Final draft updated CLRP Safety Element

January 16, 2008 Approval of updated CLRP including Safety Element

Winter/Spring 2008 Follow-up activities

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Draft Safety Element for the Updated CLRP - Outline

1. TPB Role in Transportation Safety2. Transportation Safety in the Washington

Region2A. Causes and Types of Crashes2B. Geographic Distribution2C. Regional Safety Programs

3. Need for a Transportation Safety Element4. State Strategic Highway Safety Plans5. Regional Transportation Safety Emphasis

Areas

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Page 1: TPB Role in Transportation Safety

• TPB Vision (1998) provides policy framework for development of CLRP– Calls for:

• Safer transportation facilities for pedestrians, bicyclists, and persons with special needs

• Priority to the safety of all modes and facilities• Enforcement of traffic laws and motor carrier safety

regulations• Achievement of national targets for seatbelt use• Appropriate features in facility design• Implementation of effective safety measures, including

– Red-light cameras– Skid-resistant pavements– Elimination of Roadside hazards– Better Intersection controls

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Page 1: TPB Role in Transportation Safety (continued)

• TIP identifies Safety Projects/Funding• Safety Interactions in the TPB Work Program

– CMP– Management & Operations

• Traffic Signals– Bicycle and Pedestrian

• Street Smart– Bus– Freight– Access for All– Transportation-Land Use Connections Program– Transportation Safety Subcommittee

• Street Smart Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Program• Outlook

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Page 2: Transportation Safety in the Washington Region

• Deaths and Injuries• Page 2A: Causes and Types of Crashes• Page 2B: Geographic Distribution• Staff has compiled and reviewed available

datasets• Further data gathering & compilation needed

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Traffic Deaths per 100,000 Population in the Washington Region

403392 384

409

387

8.8

8.5

8.2

8.6

8.1

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

2002 2003 2004 2005 20064.0

5.0

6.0

7.0

8.0

9.0

10.0

Traffic Deaths

Traffic Deathsper 100,000

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Traffic Injuries per 100,000 Populationin the Washington Region

49,777 48,134 47,36644,416 42,835

1,0921,040

1,011

933892

0

10,000

20,000

30,000

40,000

50,000

60,000

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

0

200

400

600

800

1,000

1,200

Traffic Injuries

Traffic Injuriesper 100,000

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Page 2C: Regional Transportation Safety Programs

• Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP)

• Smooth Operator

• Street Smart

• TPB staff will participate in planning for these programs – Transportation Safety Subcommittee may identify

other media and enforcement efforts that could benefit from regional coordination

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Page 3: Need for a Transportation Safety Element of the CLRP

• Describes Importance of Traffic Safety to quality of life and other TPB goals

• Describes Interactions of Safety with TPB Programs

• Notes federal requirements and identifies this document as the response to those requirements

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Page 4: State Strategic Highway Safety Plans (SHSPs)

• Describes DC, Maryland and Virginia Strategic Highway Safety Plans

• Describes SHSP process for choosing Safety goals and Emphasis areas (example: impaired driving)

• Data-driven– Better information and Decision Support

Systems are a key emphasis area

• States to develop Implementation Plans

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Page 5: Traffic Safety Emphasis Areas for the Washington Region

SHSP goals and emphasis areas are incorporated into the Traffic Safety Element of the CLRP using the following considerations:– Common goals and Emphasis Areas– Emphasis areas that lend themselves to regional

planning• Regional media/enforcement• Regional Data sharing and compilation• Exchange of information on best practices

– Emphasis areas tied to other areas of the CLRP• Pedestrians, bicyclists, freight, bus, disabled, emergency

response

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Follow-Up Activities

• Regional Data Compilation & Analysis– States are upgrading their traffic records systems to provide

better and more timely data– Brief the Safety Subcommittee, other Committees on results as

needed

• Coordination with Other Committees– Continue to participate in the SHSP planning process– Coordinate with WRAP, Smooth Operator– Attend other relevant TPB committee meetings, interact with

COG Public Safety Program as appropriate

• Transportation Safety Subcommittee to begin regular meetings– Agencies may wish to designate representatives