Transportation Safety Policy Statement

Overview

Approved by ARTBA Board of Directors, September 25, 2024

The transportation construction industry recognizes its role in a broader public responsibility to safeguard and protect all users of America’s vast transportation network. The American Road and Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) maintains a core commitment to do its part by building and maintaining that
network in a safe and responsible manner. Through innovation, dedication and partnering, we envision a future where crashes, injuries and fatalities are greatly diminished, with a goal of zero deaths.

ARTBA sees its contribution to transportation safety focused specifically on the design, construction, maintenance, repair, and modification of the system, but recognizes that our efforts are part of, and must be aligned with, a comprehensive approach that includes operations, maintenance, education, and emergency response. Likewise, our approach to safety recognizes that users of the system include workers who labor to ensure it operates safely and efficiently. Therefore, ARTBA’s safety advocacy, communications, and education on behalf of industry workers promote aspects that are operational, occupational, physical, and mental.

ARTBA understands that transportation and specifically construction safety entails multiple contexts and perspectives necessitating a broad multidisciplinary approach to be effective. From region to region, and project to project, transportation facilities sustain multiple modes of users that should be considered when implementing safety plans. These include, where applicable, temporary traffic control, pedestrian and impaired user access, transit system accommodation, and consideration for specialized or nonmotorized vehicles when the system is under construction, renovation, and maintenance.

It is critical to promote awareness of safety trends to effectively implement safe construction zones for all who work or pass through them. Our outreach has a strong emphasis on the occupational safety and health of workers exposed to traffic and construction hazards. This multidisciplinary effort requires advocacy in all areas and levels of government, including legislative, regulatory, enforcement, and judicial activities.

This Transportation Safety Policy affirms our greatest opportunities for success are linked to partnerships with system owners, operators, responders, information and technology providers, and other industry organizations and stakeholders with aligned objectives. We actively seek opportunities to work with others to achieve our mutual safety and health objectives.