Minnesota’s Toward Zero Death Program and the Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP)

1. Minnesota’s Toward Zero Death Program and the Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP) Missouri Department of Transportation Traffic and Safety Conference Bernie Arseneau, Mn/DOT May 1, 2008

2. Challenges and Successes of Moving Highway Safety Initiatives Forward

3. It’s All About Safety!

4. 2003 AASHTO and FHWA set a national goal: Reduce the traffic fatality rate to 1.0/100MVM by 2008. New AASHTO National Goal: Reduce by ½ the number of fatalities in 20 years (1000 fewer each year!). For Minnesota, “Zero Deaths” becomes the proposed benchmark

5. TZD Vision and Mission Vision To reduce fatalities and serious injuries on Minnesota’s roads to zero Mission To move the state of Minnesota toward zero traffic deaths on our roads through the application of education, enforcement, engineering, emergency medical services, research activities and community involvement.

6. TZD WEBSITE: www.tzd.state.mn.us TZD Web Site and Tool Kit • What is TZD? • Frequently asked questions • TZD projects • Getting Started • How to build a coalition • How to gather data • The 4 E’s • Education • Engineering • Enforcement • Emergency Medical Services

7. SHSP Background • A key step in the process of developing Minnesota’s Strategic Highway Safety Plan involved screening and prioritizing the Emphasis Areas in order to focus on those that are most important here. • The Screening process was made up of three components: • Results of the Self-Assessment, • A data driven analysis of Minnesota’s fatal crash statistics, and • Prioritization exercise with the Safety Partners.

8. The New Approach The previous approach to addressing traffic safety issues wasn’t working - the fatality rate had flattened and the actual number of fatalities was increasing. Solution: • All Roads • All Four E’s • Proactive and Systematic

9. Safety Planning Coordination • Towards Zero Death established to coordinate safety efforts

10. Regional Fatality Rates** and Fatalities National Average = 1.42 Fatalities / 100 MVM • Analysis/Comments • Midwest states generally lower fatality rate than national average (1.42) • Minnesota typically has one of the 10 lowest fatality rates • Minnesota had the fourth lowest fatality rate nationwide in 2005. The top three were CT (.87) MA (.80), and VT (.95). 1.50(111) 0.87(494) 1.20(724) 2.20(191) 1.00(1085) 1.40(439) 1.40(269) 1.20(1254) 1.20(899) Fatality Rate = Fatalities per 100 Million Vehicle Miles Traveled ** Preliminary Rates for 2006

11. Where are the Minnesota’s Fatalities Happening? • Over 70% Rural Roads • Nearly 50% on the local roadway system (i.e. county and city roads)

12. Statewide Fatalities (2001-2005) Emphasis Area Fatality Rank Verified

13. Trends in Traffic Fatalities • The 494 traffic fatalities in 2006 is the lowest number in more than 50 years. 2007 stands at 503.

14. Trends in Traffic Fatality Rates • The 0.87 fatality rate is the lowest in Minnesota history and is one of the lowest in the country.

15. Minnesota Safety Goal • Goal established in 2004 CHSP – fewer than 500 fatalities by 2008 • Goal was met in 2006 – 494 fatalities • Adopted new goal – fewer than 400 fatalities by 2010

16. ATP 3 Fatalities (2001-2005)

17. Purpose of SHSP To achieve a significant reduction in traffic fatalities and serious injuries on public roads Matt’s Car

18. Implementing Highway Safety Strategies To Move MN Toward Zero Deaths

19. 2007 Central Safety Fund One time .08 Incentive $1.5 M District “C” $1.5 M Section 164 Transfer Money $5.0 M Central Safety Fund $8.0 Million Other $1M Statewide Median Barrier Solicitation $1.5 M Statewide Speed Mgmt Project $1.5 M County CHSP Solicitation $4.0 M

20. Video with no median barrier

21. Video with cable median barrier

22. Cable Median Barrier • In Place 38.9 miles in two Districts • Planned and Funded 52.6 miles in three Districts • $5.1 Million CMB projects advanced, April, 2008 • Initial Evaluation – Saving over 2 lives per year on first installation (Maple Grove) • Installation cost approximately $100K per mile • Cost to maintain barrier $10K per mile in Metro and $5K per mile in Greater Minnesota • Cost to maintain 246 miles statewide approximately $2 M. Gap after restitution estimated at $1 M.

23. Cable Median Barrier

24. 5 yr Crash Comparisons Rural Interstate = 726 miles Rural expressways = 815 miles Mostly 2-lane 2-way trunk hwy = 8600 miles

25. Speed Management Project • Raised Speed limits on 905 miles of 2-lane 20way from 55 to 60 MPH to better fit roadway • Increased enforcement on these AND other interstates and expressways where fatalities were up from 1997 • Public Education and Media Campaign • Comprehensive Evaluation by U of M • 33,686 SPEED CITATIONS ISSUED • 45,000 SPEED WARNINGS ISSUED • Metro vehicles traveling over 70 MPH – Down 12% • Greater MN vehicles traveling over 70 MPH – Down 30% • Reduction in fatal and serious injuries • 2nd YEAR FUNDED AT $1.5M – Spring 2007

27. 2007 County CHSP Solicitation Received 63 applications from 46 counties Total request: $6.36 million Funded 40 projects from 34 counties Total funded: $4.15 million Current Solicitation to Counties $16M for 2009/2010

28. Rumble Stripes

29. Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) • New “Core” Program • SAFETEA-LU Almost Doubles TEA-21 Safety Apportionment, however, MN did not received “additional” federal dollars • Requires Strategic Highway Safety Plans • Limited Flexibility • Safety Set Asides (High Risk Rural Rds and Railway-Highway Crossings)

31. Mn/DOT Study This construction season Mn/DOT will be deploying the following types of pavement markings statewide to study their effectiveness on reducing fatal and serious injury crashes • 100 miles of Wet Reflective 3M Paint • 310 miles of Rumble Stripes • 350 miles of Wide Lines (6” vs. 4”)

32. SAFETY SUMMARY • TOWARD ZERO DEATHS Program is Working • 2006 - 494 Fatalities-Lowest since 1945 • Met goal of few than 500 by 2008 • 2007- 503 Fatalities • 4-year downward trend • SHSP Update Complete • Safety Funding is Increasing (Central Safety Fund and HSIP)

34. Key Safety Strategies • Primary Seat Belt • Estimated to raise seatbelt use from 83% to 93% • Estimated to prevent 40 deaths and nearly 400 injury crashes • $15 M one time incentive • Continue Increased Speed Enforcement (re-HEAT) • Trauma System Continued Implementation • Estimated to reduce fatalities by 9% once fully implemented • Local Coalitions (SE TZD, Safe Communities) • Engineering projects through ATP and Central Safety Fund • Road Departure (County and State systems) • Intersections • Cable Median Barrier • Pavement Marking Study

35. Essential Steps for Safer Roads: • Stay focused on Fatal and A Crashes: • All Roads • All 4 E’s (need flexibility with funding) • Proactive and Systematic • Adopt Aggressive Goals • Continue and Improve Partnerships • Promote Effective HSIP Projects • Evaluate Safety Projects • Provide Central Safety Fund Program

36. Questions? • The SHSP is a dynamic and useful tool driving MINNESOTA • Toward Zero Deaths!