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Illinois DOT Provides Local Public Agencies with Assistance on the Use of Safety Data

Original publication: Safety Data Support to Local Public Agencies

Publication Year: 2014


Background

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is committed to reducing the number of fatalities on Illinois roadways. To this end, the IDOT Bureau of Safety Engineering, which was initially created in 2004, develops, implements, and manages a multi-faceted program to reduce traffic-related deaths and injuries in the State of Illinois. As part of this mission, IDOT addresses traffic safety needs on both State-owned roads and roads owned by local public agencies (LPAs). Because local public roads constitute approximately 125,000 of the 145,000 centerline roadway miles in Illinois, improving local road safety is a major priority for IDOT.

One key component of improving safety on local roads is enhancing the safety data capabilities of LPAs and IDOT District Offices. IDOT's Bureaus of Safety Engineering and Local Roads and Streets offer safety analysis tools, provide safety data training and technical assistance, and promote local access to crash and roadway data.

Practices

  • Safety Analysis and Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) Funding - IDOT uses a HSIP Benefit-Cost Tool that helps IDOT and LPAs determine whether a project is an appropriate and cost effective use of HSIP funding.
  • Training - IDOT Bureau of Safety Engineering provides training on the Highway Safety Manual (HSM) directly to the nine District Offices in the State.
  • Technical Assistance - IDOT Bureau of Safety Engineering also offers direct technical assistance to support safety programs and safety data analysis at the local level.
  • Data Sharing - IDOT communicates safety data to counties and other LPAs through the Bureau of Local Roads and Streets and is working on a new Safety Portal that will provide LPAs with improved access to crash data.

Benefits

IDOT is working to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries due to crashes on Illinois' local roads. By promoting the use of the HSIP Benefit-Cost Tool, IDOT ensures that the HSIP project selection process makes the most economical use of limited safety funding. Through the use of improved safety data sharing abilities, Illinois has improved its project submittal process; safety projects are submitted more quickly than ever before. IDOT's technical assistance and data-sharing efforts allow the agency to support Illinois' counties as they program projects to improve the safety of local roads in the State. Overall, IDOT has seen a transition from reactive safety projects to a more proactive approach that considers common contributing factors to roadway safety.

Publication Year: 2014

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