The Transportation Problem

While progress has been made in improving traffic safety and reducing deaths nationally, the number of rural fatalities remains disproportionally large. In 2008, 18,762 people were killed in rural motor vehicle crashes, accounting for 55 percent of all motor vehicle fatalities. The fatality rate for rural crashes is more than twice the fatality rate for urban crashes. Seat belt use is lower, speeding and impaired driving fatalities are higher and emergency response times are greater.

The ITS Opportunity

To address the challenges of rural safety, USDOT initiated the Rural Safety Initiative in February 2008. The focus of the Rural Safety Initiative is to highlight available options to help reduce highway fatalities and injuries on the nation's rural roads. This targeted national campaign is taking advantage of opportunities to raise awareness of the risks drivers face on America's rural roads and provide communities with tools and assistance to address these risks where the Department's resources can be leveraged quickly and effectively.

Research Approach

The Rural Safety Innovation Program (RSIP) is one element of the Rural Safety Initiative. This one-time opportunity is using funds from the ITS Program and other funding streams. Ninety-six (96) applications were received, which resulted in awards to nine state and local transportation agencies for 11 projects:

• California: California Department of Transportation (2 grants)
• Colorado: Colorado Department of Transportation (2 grants)
• Illinois: Illinois Department of Transportation
• Iowa: Iowa Department of Transportation
• Kansas: Kansas Department of Transportation
• Minnesota: Minnesota Department of Transportation
• South Carolina: South Carolina Department of Transportation
• Washington: King County Department of Transportation
• Wisconsin: Wisconsin Department of Transportation

Research Findings and Test Results

Recipients of RSIP funds have agreed to collaborate with an independent entity in the evaluation of their projects. Projects funded through the ITS Program will be evaluated through a combination of evaluation studies that examine system component performance and the systems impact on enhancing safety on local and rural roads. As part of the evaluation process, institutional and technical challenges, as well as lessons learned and best practices, will be addressed and documented to assist other state and local transportation agencies. The independent evaluator will engage each funding recipient early in the development process to ensure that the results of the evaluations are as useful as possible to others considering similar projects.

Schedule and Final Steps

The 11 projects all have individual schedules, with all scheduled to be operational by the end of 2011.

Resources

• Western States One-Stop Shop for Rural Traveler Information: Research on Clarus System Data
• "U.S. DOT Awards $14.7 million for Rural Safety" Press Release, August 27 2008.
• "Rural Safety Innovation Program," Federal Register, February 29, 2008. [PDF 514 KB]
• The U.S. Department of Transportation Rural Safety Initiative, February 2008

Links

• FHWA Office of Safety's Rural Safety Initiative Program Website
• University of Minnesota's Rural Highway Safety Clearinghouse

Contacts

To learn more about this research, contact:

Linda D. Dodge
Chief of Staff
Rural Safety Initiative Program Manager
ITS Joint Program Office
Research and Innovative Technology Administration
(202) 366-8034
linda.dodge@dot.gov

John Dewar
State and Local Programs Team Leader
Office of Safety Programs
Federal Highway Administration
(202) 366-2218
john.dewar2@dot.gov