New Roadway Safety Strategy Takes Broad Approach

What happened: The U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) Jan. 27 released its National Roadway Safety Strategy, which reflects ARTBA’s nearly 20-year-old policy commitment to zero highway deaths. The agency’s call for a “safe system approach”aims to reverse the significant increase of road fatalities since the 2020 start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The broad approach is focused on people, roads, vehicles, speeds, and post-crash care. ARTBA long ago recognized these needs, urging a national focus on reducing the severity of injuries instead of the number of crashes; and emphasizing system design, construction, and maintenance that is “forgiving” of anticipated user errors.

Why it matters: The rate of roadway fatalities in the U.S. has not substantially improved over the last 10 years. It increased significantly in 2020, the latest year of complete data, when an estimated 38,680 people died in motor vehicle crashes. Over the past decade, work zone related fatalities increased by nearly 44 percent. The U.S. DOT strategy includes a focus on reducing rising pedestrian fatalities, which include roadway workers.

ARTBA’s input: ARTBA provided Dec. 17, 2021, comments to U.S. DOT related to the development of its strategic plan, including recommendations to improve safety during transportation construction. The recommendations include:

• advocacy for improved positive protection to separate workers and traffic in construction zones
• changes to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices to allow for the introduction of more innovative safety products
• improved data collection related to roadway worker deaths and injuries
• greater use of automated speed enforcement in work zones
• use of contingency funds for unanticipated safety needs on construction projects.

ARTBA provided similar Jan. 6 recommendations to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) associated with the development of its Work Zone Safety Strategic Plan, expected later this year.

Engagement opportunities: ARTBA’s Safety Forum will continue to engage with U.S. DOT and FHWA to improve conditions during transportation construction projects. Members interested in participating in the Forum should contact ARTBA Senior Vice President for Safety and Education Brad Sant.