Safety Management Task Group ReportsMay 2012
AASHTO Subcommittee on Safety Management
Task Group 2 – Technical Safety Publication Oversight and Outreach
Chair:Priscilla Tobias, Illinois DOT
Vice Chair: Mike Curtit, Missouri DOT
Recent Activities
Task Group 2fulfills AASHTO SCOHTS guidance to “work on technical issues such as developing, updating and commenting on various technical highway manuals, plans and programs to improve safety”. As such, Task Group 2 is responsible for the oversight and advancement of implementation of the AASHTO Highway Safety Manual (HSM). This is being accomplished through the implementation of the SCOHTS Strategic Plan and coordination with FHWA, NCHRP and TRB. Activities to date include supporting implementation of the HSM nationally, developing new material for the HSM, identifying HSM user needs, and developing a strategic plan for future editions of the HSM. Several initiatives in which the Task Group has been involved include the NCHRP 17-45 project to develop new chapters on predictive methods for freeways and interchanges, NCHRP 17-50 project to support HSM implementation by lead states, a new FHWA pooled fund study, coordination with FHWA on implementation support efforts, and communication and outreach efforts. The Task Group has worked with other partners to develop a flyer for communicating HSM benefits to leadership and to coordinate additional outreach at various meetings and conferences.
The Subcommittee has been in the process of developing safety fact sheet templates for use in communicating information about key safety issues and programs to agency leadership. The Task Group has been assessing the status of the templates and determining the path forward for completing of these templates. The Task Group is looking at developing two types of fact sheets: one for communicating about safety programs with leadership, and one for communicating with peers.
Workplan
A key activity over the next few months will be to review and ballot two new chapters for the HSM developed under NCHRP 17-45. The Task Group has reviewed the chapters and is working with the TRB Highway Safety Performance Committee to have them provide a technical review with recommendations of the chapters. Once Task Group2 has the final recommendations, it will review final materials developed under the project and will provide a recommendation regarding balloting and publication to the subcommittee. The Task Group is unique in that it is comprised of members from the Subcommittees on Design and Traffic Engineering. Through these members, the Task Group will coordinate with other AASHTO committees and subcommittees to inform them of the new chapters and gain their support.
The Task Group will work with TRB and FHWA to develop a strategic plan for future editions of the HSM and as part of that effort, will identify needs and gaps that should be addressed through research activities. The Task Group will monitor other NCHRP projects that will lead to the development of new material for the HSM, including NCHRP 17-58 (Safety Prediction Models for Six-Lane and One-Way Urban and Suburban Arterials) and two new projects for FY13on improved prediction models for crash types and severities, and guidance for the development and application of crash modification factors. The Task Group will continue its involvement in other current and upcoming activities with FHWA and TRB and move forward efforts to advance implementation of the SCOHTS Strategic Plan, Goal 2.
The Task Group will also continue development of the safety fact sheets.
Items for SCOHTS Consideration
Resolutions: A resolution for approving two new chapters for the HSM is expected later this year, prior to the AASHTO Annual Meeting in November.
Questions for SCOHTS discussion:
- Identification of available resources?
- Additional implementation needs?