MPC
Research Projects (2006-07)

Identifying Number

MPC-271

Project Title

A Comprehensive Transportation Safety Evaluation Program in the State of Wyoming, Year 1

University

University of Wyoming

Project Investigator

Khaled Ksaibati, UWY
khaled@uwyo.edu

External Project Contact

Matt Carlson, WYDOT

Project Objective

The main objective of this research is to develop and evaluate transportation safety techniques that can help Wyoming agencies in reducing crashes and fatalities on rural roads statewide.

Project Abstract

The new transportation bill SAFETEA-LU contains language indicating that state department of transportation agencies will be required to address safety on local and rural roads. It is important for state, county, and city officials to cooperate in producing a comprehensive safety plan to improve safety statewide. The new legislation provides an opportunity to implement a more cohesive and comprehensive approach to local road safety in Wyoming. The Wyoming LTAP has supported road safety efforts through its existing activities which include: training classes, newsletter publications, information dissemination, and technical assistance. The Wyoming LTAP center can provide additional services to help WYDOT, as well as Wyoming counties and cities in identifying low cost safety improvements on high risk rural roads statewide.

In this project, safety techniques and methodologies will be developed to identify and then rank high risk locations on all rural roadways in Wyoming. What makes this project unique is the high percentage of gravel roads at the local level in Wyoming. The evaluation procedure developed will be based on roadway classification as well as surface type (paved versus unpaved).

Task Descriptions

The following tasks will be performed in the first year of the project.

1. Establish a Local Road Safety Advisory Group (LRSAG), which would include: WYDOT, Wyoming LTAP, WACERS, and FHWA. This task has already been performed. The LRSAG will provide guidance to the research team. In addition, tghe LRSAG will facilitate the implementation of the study and encourage more interaction among various transportation agencies in Wyoming.
2. Hire a qualified safety engineer to perform the tasks described in this proposal.
3. Perform a literature review to identify transportation safety techniques that can be used in this study.
4. Identify three counties for inclusion in a pilot study. These counties will be selected in coordination with the advisory group.
5. Determine general data needs, collection methods and options for data management in priority areas as determined by the advisory group. Prepare methodology and alternatives for implementation at all transportation levels in Wyoming to ensure statewide consistency. WYDOT is currently developing a new crash program. The research team will coordinate with the Highway Safety office to ensure full utilization of the new program.
6. Develop standardized methodologies for road safety programs, data collection and management. These methodologies will help in identifying eligible roads for further safety evaluations. The additional evaluation may include road safety audits, studies, reviewing mitigation alternatives, ranking procedures, and request for funding.
7. Identify current used roadway functional classification systems for all roads in the three counties included in the pilot study. Recommend one uniform classification for all roads at all levels in Wyoming.
8. Develop a uniform definition for roadway segments to ensure the identification of high risk locations. Special attention should be given to curves and intersections.
9. Identify currently used tolerable standards for low volume roads in Wyoming.
10. Apply the methodology and techniques developed in this study on the roadway segments in the three counties.
11. Submit a TRB paper for presentation so that feedback canbe obtained on the methodology developed.

Milestones, Dates

Starting Date: July 1, 2006
Ending Date: June 30, 2007

Yearly and Total Budget

$180,444

Student Involvement

One graduate student

Relationship to Other Research Projects

The literature review which will be conducted will ensure that the findings of similar projects will be considered in the development of the methodology of this study.

Technology Transfer Activities

The Wyoming LTAP center will hold several workshops statewide to ensure the proper implementation of this study. In addition, safety packets will be distributed to all local agencies so that they can be part of the statewide safety initiative. Efforts will also be made to distribute the packets to other interested states in our region.

Potential Benefits of the Project

Transportation agencies at all levels in Wyoming will benefit from this safety study. The study will utilize accurate traffic records which will be passed to local agencies in the appropriate format. As a result of this study, uniform safety evaluation procedures will be adopted by all agencies in Wyoming which will help in identifying high risk rural locations and then rank these locations statewide. The Wyoming Safety Management System (SMS) Committee can then use the findings of the study to request/justify adequate resources to improve safety statewide. The study will also make the traffic records more accessible by local agencies. The ultimate benefit of the study will be to reduce crash rates on all rural roads in Wyoming. It is highly recommended that the SMS committee would evaluate the impact of this research study a few years after full implementation.

TRB Keywords

Transportation Safey, Road Safety Audit, Road Safety Review, Road Classification.