Implementing Strategies from Missouri s Blueprint for Safer Roadways Using System-wide Safety Solutions to Save Lives John Schaefer Sr. Traffic Studies Specialist Missouri Department of Transportation
The Problem: 1200 Fatalities Fatal Crash Locations are Random
The Problem: 1200 Fatalities Fatal Crash Types are Not Random (3-years of data)
Solving The Problem 1. Goal 2. Focus 3. System Solutions 4. E s
Solving The Problem Regional Coalitions
Solving The Problem Identifying the Essential Eight 1. Primary Seat Belt Law 2. Public Education 3. Targeted Enforcement 4. Punish Drunk Drivers 5. Median Cable Barrier 6. Rumble Strips 7. Signs & Stripes 8. Shoulders System Improvements
Acting on the Essential Eight Behavioral Solutions
Arrive Alive www.savemolives.com
Living With Seat Belts 77% Observed Usage 23% Not belted Belted Fatalities 68% 32%
Use Sporting Events
Keeping Our Youth Alive
Punish Drunk Drivers
Acting on the Essential Eight Engineering Solutions
System-wide Safety Solutions Where does Missouri begin to address its 32,000-mile system? Major & Minor Roads Major Minor Roadway Miles 5,500 26,500 Miles Traveled 80% 20% Fatalities 45% 55%
Acting on the Essential Eight Smooth Roads Initiative
Smooth Roads Initiative OVERVIEW Funding Bond Issue Improve 2,200 miles of most heavily traveled roads 7% of state mileage 60% of annual VMT on these routes Projects Completed 2005-2006
Smooth Roads Initiative TREATMENTS New Roadway Surface Asphalt Overlay Concrete Diamond Grind 6 Edgelines: Rumble Stripe (Epoxy) 6 Lane Lines: 3M Waffle Tape Some wet-reflective
Smooth Roads Initiative TREATMENTS
Smooth Roads Initiative TREATMENTS Delineate Everything Emergency Reference Markers Sign upgrades
Smooth Roads Initiative TREATMENTS
Acting on the Essential Eight Better Roads, Brighter Future
Better Roads, Brighter Future OVERVIEW Existing district funds 2007-2011 Next 3,300 miles Mostly Two-lane 85% of major roads will be in good condition by 2011
Better Roads, Brighter Future TREATMENTS All major roads (5,500 mi) will have Minimum 4 feet paved shoulder Smooth driving surface Improved signing 1,000+ miles will receive Edgeline and Centerline rumble stripes
Acting on the Essential Eight Imbed Safety into MoDOT Policy
Imbed Safety into Policy MoDOT s Engineering Policy Guide http://epg.modot.org/index.php?title=main_page
Imbed Safety into Policy Rumble Stripes (Edgeline & Centerline) All major roads All minor roads with crash history 6-inch Stripes for Major Roads All Edgeline Multi-lane skips Curve Speed Plaques Every Curve/Turn sign
Acting on the Essential Eight Median Cable Barrier
Median Guard Cable 1999 - Spot Locations in St. Louis and Kansas City 2003 - System-wide Installation Criteria Interstates Severe Crash History Current Installations 500 miles installed Low & High Tension
Acting on the Essential Eight Evaluation Good Investment?
Evaluation Effectiveness Does the treatment perform as intended? Safety Analysis Are we reducing severe crashes? Are we saving lives?
Effectiveness: SRI Evaluation In progress Initial results showing statistically significant improvement
Effectiveness: SRI Before After
Effectiveness: Guard Cable Studied all reported cross-median crashes 1999-2005 1,400 crashes 95% Success Rate Vehicles did not enter opposing lanes
Cross-Median Fatalities Guard Cable Installation (miles) Safety Analysis: Guard Cable I-70 Cross-Median Fatalities 30 25 20 15 10 5 200 180 160 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 0
Cross-Median Fatalities Guard Cable Installation (miles) Safety Analysis: Guard Cable I-44 Cross-Median Fatalities 30 25 20 15 10 5 270 240 210 180 150 120 90 60 30 0 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 0
Fatalities Safety Analysis: Guard Cable Interstate Cross-Median Fatalities 60 48 52 50 40 40 26 20 10 0 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
Saving Lives Missouri led the nation in saving lives in 2006 (nearly a 13 percent decrease). Of the 868 fewer traffic deaths nationwide, Missouri accounted for 161 of them.
Saving Lives 21 percent decrease in fatalities from 2005 to 2007. 9 percent decrease in fatalities from 2006 to 2007. 1,257 fatalities in 2005. 1,096 fatalities in 2006. 992 fatalities in 2007. Haven t had fewer than 1,000 fatalities since 1993 15 years ago.
992 1,094 1,098 1,096 1,148 1,130 1,192 1,169 1,157 1,208 1,232 1,257 Meeting our Goal 1996-2007 Missouri Traffic Crash Fatalities 1,300 1,250 1,200 1,150 1,100 1,050 1,000 950 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
Fatalities Progress in 2008 Missouri Fatalities (as of June 30, 2008) 1000 800 784 743 600 400 200 0 2007 2008
The Next Blueprint Identifying the Targeted 10 1. Primary Seat Belt Law 2. Public Education 3. Targeted Enforcement 4. Punish Drunk Drivers 5. Remove/Shield Fixed Objects 6. Rumble Strips 7. Signs & Stripes 8. Shoulders 9. Intersection Safety 10. Curve Recognition System Improvements
Questions? Using System-wide Safety Solutions to Save Lives John Schaefer Sr. Traffic Studies Specialist Missouri Department of Transportation 573-751-2845 John.SchaeferJr@MoDOT.mo.gov