Adam Larsen Federal Highway Administration Adam.Larsen@Dot.gov 360-619-7751 Safety Safety History History o In many states, Native Americans are three times over represented in fatal crashes WASHINGTON STATE NATIVE AMERICANS 3.3 TIMES MORE THAN ALL OTHERS FARS Data According to the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS): 2008, 467 Native American Fatalities 2007, 619 Native American Fatalities 2006, 653 Native American Fatalities 2005, 593 Native American Fatalities 2004, 585 Native American Fatalities Five year total of 2,917 that are reported 1
SAFETEA LU Data Source: http://www-fars.nhtsa.dot.gov Costs and Benefits The following are typical values Audit Costs: $5k to $30k per audit stage Design Costs: vary (change drawings) Construction Costs: vary (to build accepted audit suggestions) Benefits: Lives saved, crashes prevented, or severity decrease Benefit / Cost ratio: 10:1 or better Crash reductions up to 60% Why Do We Need Audits? Planning / Design / Operations / Maintenance involve Complexity, Constraints, and Trade-Offs: Cost Right of Way Environment Geotech Conditions Socio Economics Capacity / Efficiency Politics 2
Access Funding RSA shows an effort to plan May be key to funding Smith River Rancheria received TIGER Grant to implement RSA Recommendations Road Safety Audit (RSA) July 19 20, 2011 Elliott Highway Dalton Hwy to Manley Road Safety Assessment 3
An RSA is NOT. a simple standards check for adherence to design guidelines. BUT An RSA is a process that looks beyond normal design guidelines to improve the substanative safety performance. Nominal vs. Substantive Safety Nominal safety is meeting the standards Substantive safety is going beyond nominal standards. Ultimately, it is doing what works for the site. Definition Road Safety Audit A formal and independent safety performance review of a road transportation project by an experienced team of safety professionals, addressing the safety of all road users. 4
Key Points Formal: Procedures & Documentation Independent: Auditors Detached from Road Agency & Design Team, No Bias Safety Performance: Focus on Substanative Safety Experienced Team: Audit work is based on experience and knowledge All Road Users: All relevant human travel modes are considered Road Safety Audits (RSA) Responsibilities RSA Team Design Team / Project Owner 1 Identify project 5 analysis and prepare report 6 Present findings to Project Owner 7 Prepare formal response 2 Select RSA team 3 Kick-off meeting 4 Perform data & field reviews 8 Incorporate findings 5
Sum of EPDO (1=pdo, EveType 5=inj/fatal) Count of Crashes Bicyclist 1 1 Cross Median/Centerline 5 1 Ditch 15 7 Downhill Runaway 1 1 Embankment 17 5 Equipment Failure 5 1 Guardrail End 1 1 Guardrail Face 17 5 Moose 2 2 Other 1 1 Other Fixed Object 2 2 Overturn 17 5 Parked Vehicle 9 9 Ran Off Road 16 8 Sideswipe 2 2 Sign 4 4 Snoberm 5 1 Tree 5 1 Veh Angle 23 19 Veh Head On 3 3 Veh Rear End 15 7 Veh in Transit 1 1 Grand Total 87 Safety Planning to Select RSA Routes Responsibilities RSA Team Design Team / Project Owner 1 Identify project 5 analysis and prepare report 6 Present findings to Project Owner 7 Prepare formal response 2 Select RSA team 3 Kick-off meeting 4 Perform data & field reviews 8 Incorporate findings 6
Road Safety Audit Team Owner provides information to Team Biases are saved until close-out Typically Safety Specialists Typically Multi-disciplinary NatGeo The Team Alaska DOT & PF Alaska State Troopers Alaska TTAP FHWA IRR Responsibilities RSA Team Design Team / Project Owner 1 Identify project 5 analysis and prepare report 6 Present findings to Project Owner 7 Prepare formal response 2 Select RSA team 3 Kick-off meeting 4 Perform data & field reviews 8 Incorporate findings 7
Objectives Input from owner/operator Available Data Planned Projects Owner s Operations Contact info for key individuals Expectations Questions from team on Road s History Inform everyone of RSA process Coordinate available resources Public Meeting DSC_0013.AVI Responsibilities RSA Team Design Team / Project Owner 1 Identify project 5 analysis and prepare report 6 Present findings to Project Owner 7 Prepare formal response 2 Select RSA team 3 Kick-off meeting 4 Perform data & field reviews 8 Incorporate findings 8
RSA Team Data Review Data Review Planned projects, construction history Traffic volumes Existing Infrastructure Crash Reports Crash Statistics Trends in People, Roadway, Environment, Vehicles, Location, etc. 0513927/052047 A Inj Dawn, Clear Weather, Snow on Road, WY Driver Lost control avoiding object in road, overturned. 0506987 A Inj Dawn, Rain, WHP vs. Semi U turn hit by semi due to limited sight distance. 0611080/060969 A Inj Dark, Cloudy, Dry, WY Driver Lost control avoiding Moose. Overturned. 0303639/030280 A Inj Daylight, Snow, Ice, WY Driver NB pickup lost control on icy bridge at 50mph. SB semi at 35mph could not avoid. 0614879/NPS 062654 FATAL Dark, Clear, Dry, WY Drivers I/S of Warm Springs Rd NB SUV passed a stopped vehicle that was waiting to turn west, NB SUV hit SB PU head on WHP 2006004464 FATAL Dark, Snow, Ice, VA/WY Drivers Near Park Entrance NB SUV lost control on ice, hit SB PU Contributing Factors DWUI Southbound (leaving Recreation sites) Roadside Design Driver expectation after several miles of long, straight highway Drop wheel to right, overcorrect, overturn 9
0716343 DARK, dry, clear, SB car dropped tire to right, overcorrected, overturned, No belts Low severity 0712721 SB pickup with camper, gravel on road caused ROR 0712706 U1 having car trouble, turned left with hazards on, hit by passing U2 0615554 Day, dry, clear SB SUV dropped tire to right, overcorrected, overturned. Speed & DWUI. 0807882 Clear, Dry, Day, SB SUV dropped tire to right, overcorrected, overturned, BAC 0.15 0412208 Clear, Dry, Day, SB Motorcycle rider age 24, inexperienced, from Rawlins, hit shoulder, lost control. 0307930 Muddy Road, Day, Clear, SB car dropped tire to right, overcorrected, rolled. DWUI 10037181 FATAL Day, Dry, Clr, V#1 SB pickup went off the road way to the right, over corrected to the left. Vehicle #1 went off the road to the left. Vehicle #1 went up an embankment, hit the right of way fence and vaulted. V#1 hit the ground and rolled 2.5 times coming to a rest on its roof. Driver partially ejected. DWUI 0716343 DARK, dry, clear, SB car dropped tire to right, overcorrected, overturned, No belts Low severity 0712721 SB pickup with camper, gravel on road caused ROR 0712706 U1 having car trouble, turned left with hazards on, hit by passing U2 0615554 Day, dry, clear SB SUV dropped tire to right, overcorrected, overturned. Speed & DWUI. 0807882 Clear, Dry, Day, SB SUV dropped tire to right, overcorrected, overturned, BAC 0.15 0412208 Clear, Dry, Day, SB Motorcycle rider age 24, inexperienced, from Rawlins, hit shoulder, lost control. 0307930 Muddy Road, Day, Clear, SB car dropped tire to right, overcorrected, rolled. DWUI 10037181 FATAL Day, Dry, Clr, V#1 SB pickup went off the road way to the right, over corrected to the left. Vehicle #1 went off the road to the left. Vehicle #1 went up an embankment, hit the right of way fence and vaulted. V#1 hit the ground and rolled 2.5 times coming to a rest on its roof. Driver partially ejected. DWUI 0716343 DARK, dry, clear, SB car dropped tire to right, overcorrected, overturned, No belts Low severity 0712721 SB pickup with camper, gravel on road caused ROR 0712706 U1 having car trouble, turned left with hazards on, hit by passing U2 0615554 Day, dry, clear SB SUV dropped tire to right, overcorrected, overturned. Speed & DWUI. 0807882 Clear, Dry, Day, SB SUV dropped tire to right, overcorrected, overturned, BAC 0.15 0412208 Clear, Dry, Day, SB Motorcycle rider age 24, inexperienced, from Rawlins, hit shoulder, lost control. 0307930 Muddy Road, Day, Clear, SB car dropped tire to right, overcorrected, rolled. DWUI 10037181 FATAL Day, Dry, Clr, V#1 SB pickup went off the road way to the right, over corrected to the left. Vehicle #1 went off the road to the left. Vehicle #1 went up an embankment, hit the right of way fence and vaulted. V#1 hit the ground and rolled 2.5 times coming to a rest on its roof. Driver partially ejected. DWUI 10
0716343 DARK, dry, clear, SB car dropped tire to right, overcorrected, overturned, No belts Low severity 0712721 SB pickup with camper, gravel on road caused ROR 0712706 U1 having car trouble, turned left with hazards on, hit by passing U2 0615554 Day, dry, clear SB SUV dropped tire to right, overcorrected, overturned. Speed & DWUI. 0807882 Clear, Dry, Day, SB SUV dropped tire to right, overcorrected, overturned, BAC 0.15 0412208 Clear, Dry, Day, SB Motorcycle rider age 24, inexperienced, from Rawlins, hit shoulder, lost control. 0307930 Muddy Road, Day, Clear, SB car dropped tire to right, overcorrected, rolled. DWUI 10037181 FATAL Day, Dry, Clr, V#1 SB pickup went off the road way to the right, over corrected to the left. Vehicle #1 went off the road to the left. Vehicle #1 went up an embankment, hit the right of way fence and vaulted. V#1 hit the ground and rolled 2.5 times coming to a rest on its roof. Driver partially ejected. DWUI Fatal Crash Types Lane Departure 53% 20% Intersections 12% Pedestrians % of Total Fatal Crashes Calculated Curve Design Speeds 67 70 47 57 63 48 47 51 43 Difference from 60mph 5 mph 66 54 51 35 10 mph 15 mph 20 mph 11
RSA Team Field Review Field Review Day / Night Peak Traffic Volumes Observe Intersections/turn-outs Field review of serious crash sites Idea Parking Lot Identified Risks are documented/ photographed Potential countermeasures discussed in next step 12
Field Review Good Notes are Critical! Good Practices Signing Suggestions Recommend 2 chevrons in initial view, check spacing MP 106? 13
Horizontal Sight Distance Horizontal Sight Distance Public Input: Close calls Vertical Sight Distance 14
Vertical / Horizontal Combinations Human Factors MP 115.5 Driver Expectations MP 143 EB 15
Over the Hill MP 143 EB Pullout @ MP 94.5 Trooper & Public Identified issues Pull out in curve = Alignment difficult to detect in winter Reverse Super in pullout Pullout @ MP 94.5 Trooper & Public Identified issues Pull out in curve = Alignment difficult to detect in winter Reverse Super in pullout 16
Brushing & Sign Heights Side Slopes MP 119-120 Signing Issues 17
Dangerous Guardrail Ends Blunt Ends Turn Down Terminals Responsibilities RSA Team Design Team / Project Owner 1 Identify project 5 analysis and prepare report 6 Present findings to Project Owner 7 Prepare formal response 2 Select RSA team 3 Kick-off meeting 4 Perform data & field reviews 8 Incorporate findings Prepare Draft Risk ID 18
RESOURCES Tribal Technical Assistance Program (TTAP) Strategic Highway Safety Plan TTP Safety Website (in development) FHWA TTP Website: http://flh.fhwa.dot.gov/ programs/ttp/safety/ Local Roads Safety Plans Guide (online) CMF Warehouse Online NCHRP 500 Email: TTPSF@dot.gov Winter Visibility on Ptarmigan Pass Long Term: Grade Raise Snow Fence Lower cost: delineate consider 511 on Highway Advisory Radio (HAR) Risk 1: Sight Distance @ Farm Rd Description of Risk: Vehicles turning left from Farm to SR-123 WB have obstructed sight distance due to embankment and vertical profile on SR-123. Vehicles pull past stop bar to turn left. Collision types experienced: Turning, Angle, Rear-End, Intersection related Location: SR-123 & Farm Rd Intersection Solutions: Low Cost: Move stop bar closer to SR-123 while avoiding turning path of trucks/buses. Intermediate Cost: Reduce embankment height in Southeast corner. Ultimate: Reconstruct SR-123 with vertical profile that allows for proper sight distance. Severity High Risk Level Frequency Occasional D 19
SEVERITY RISK CATEGORY Low Medium High Severe Frequent C D E F Crash Frequency Risk Assessment Scale Occasional B C D E Infrequent A B C D Rare A A B C Risk Levels A Minimal D Significant B Low E High C Moderate F Extreme Responsibilities RSA Team Design Team / Project Owner 1 Identify project 5 analysis and prepare report 6 Present findings to Project Owner 7 Prepare formal response 2 Select RSA team 3 Kick-off meeting 4 Perform data & field reviews 8 Incorporate findings Presentation to owner Written Report Risk areas Multi-disciplinary recommendations Request for feedback 20
Responsibilities RSA Team Design Team / Project Owner 1 Identify project 5 analysis and prepare report 6 Present findings to Project Owner 7 Prepare formal response 2 Select RSA team 3 Kick-off meeting 4 Perform data & field reviews 8 Incorporate findings Written response Improvements to be programmed Reasons for non-implementation Document will be considered for plans 21
Discovery Use of RSA is believed to be protected under federal law 23 USC 409 Discovery and Admission as evidence of certain reports and surveys Implementation http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/rsa/resources/p2p/brochure/ Adam Larsen 360-619-7751 Adam.Larsen@dot.gov 22
Program Testimonials Peer Testimonial A road safety audit is an excellent tool to help agencies create safer roadways. As a Peer, I draw from my experiences conducting RSAs on Iowa s state and local roadways, both urban and rural, to assist other agencies with their RSAs. Whether it s providing guidance on the data to collect, or serving onsite as an RSA team member, I enjoy helping public agencies with their RSA program. Tom McDonald, P.E., Safety Circuit Rider Iowa Local Technical Assistance Program Institute for Transportation FHWA sponsors the Roadway Safety P2P Program which provides assistance to State, local, and tribal road owners free of charge. Road Safety Audit Peer Assistance Agency Testimonial Through the P2P program we were able to access years of RSA knowledge for our first RSA. This resource not only helped make our first RSA a success, but also provided a solid basis for the development of our statewide RSA program. Elias Archuleta, P.E., New Mexico DOT State Traffic Engineer Photo Credit: FHWA For More Information: Visit http://rspcb.safety.fhwa.dot.gov/technical.aspx Email safetyp2p@dot.gov Call 866-P2P-FHWA Find FHWA RSA resources at: http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/rsa FHWA, Office of Safety Rebecca Crowe rebecca.crowe@dot.gov 804-775-3381 Cover Photo Credits (Clockwise from left): FHWA; T. McDonald, Institute for Transportation at Iowa State University; Matt Buchanan, Mo-Kan Regional Council FHWA-SA-10-019 http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov
What is Road Safety Audit Peer Assistance? As a state, local, or tribal road owner considers the use of RSAs, technical or procedural questions often arise. In order to provide assistance, FHWA s Office of Safety established the Roadway Safety Peerto-Peer (P2P) Program to provide technical assistance on a broad range of safety topics including RSAs. RSA experts volunteer their time to serve as Peers and provide guidance to agencies requesting assistance. Assistance can range from phone consultations to on-site participation in an RSA to training recommendations. How Can Transportation Agencies Benefit From RSA Peer Assistance? Free and convenient access to professionals experienced in RSAs. Increased understanding of the RSA process. Onsite assistance to help ensure successful completion of your first RSA. Guidance on available funding options for performing RSAs and RSA recommendations. Guidance on RSA Team composition and information that should be collected in advance of the RSA. Photo Credit: FHWA Public Agency Identifies an Area where Assistance Is Needed Agency Contacts FHWA P2P Coordinator FHWA Helps Agency Define Assistance Needed P2P Coordinator Identifies a Peer with Appropriate Expertise Call: 866-727-3492 Email: safetyp2p@dot.gov Online: http://rspcb.safety.fhwa.dot.gov/p2p/p2p_app.aspx P2P Coordinator Facilitates Contact Between the Agency and Identified Peer Identified Peer Works with Agency to Provide Assistance Needed