September 22, 2016
Innovation of the Month: Data-Driven Safety Analysis
Predictive safety analysis tools use crash, roadway and traffic volume data to pinpoint sites with the greatest potential for improvement, not just those with the most crashes. It’s one of the approaches the Federal Highway Administration is promoting through the Every Day Counts effort on data-driven safety analysis.
The Ohio Department of Transportation is incorporating predictive crash analysis in its project development process so safety will be considered in all project planning, from minor resurfacing to major construction projects. It created safety-integrated project maps that identify priority locations where safety improvements should be considered on projects that overlap these areas.
The New Jersey Department of Transportation, Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission and Burlington County used predictive analysis tools to justify funding for a modern roundabout to improve safety at a rural intersection. Watch a video on how New Jersey used DDSA on the roundabout project.
See FHWA’s Interactive Highway Safety Design Model for software to evaluate the safety and operational effects of geometric design decisions on highways.
Predictive analysis tools helped New Jersey officials decide to build a roundabout.
View Webinars on EDC-4 Innovations
FHWA is offering introductory webinars on the 11 innovations in the fourth round of EDC. Today’s sessions feature Pavement Preservation (How) from 10:30 a.m. to noon ET and Community Connections from 1 to 2:30 p.m. ET. Visit the EDC-4 webpage to register for next week’s sessions and view recordings of earlier webinars.
High-Friction Surface Treatment Exchange Planned for Arizona
Transportation professionals from Arizona, California, Kansas, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas and Utah will share strategies on using high-friction surface treatments at an FHWA peer exchange on September 28 and 29 in Phoenix, Arizona. The first day’s agenda will focus on presentations on how the treatments can be used to enhance safety at high-crash locations. The second day will feature a panel discussion by manufacturers, suppliers and installers.
Delaware and District DOTs Share e-Construction Best Practices
Staff from the Delaware and District Departments of Transportation discussed challenges and best practices on implementing e-Construction during a September 8 web conference organized by FHWA. Delaware DOT participants talked about the agency’s use and evaluation of e-Construction technologies and lessons learned in deploying the innovation. District DOT staff discussed the agency’s plans to create a paperless project delivery and construction process.
Idaho Holds 3D Engineered Models Workshop
State Transportation Innovation Council Incentive program funds enabled the Idaho Transportation Department to conduct a workshop on 3D engineered models in Idaho Falls. Agenda topics included applications of 3D models in design and construction and surveying fundamentals for 3D models. The workshop featured a demonstration of automated machine guidance using 3D models on the U.S. 20 interchange project in Thornton. Participants represented the Idaho Transportation Department, local agencies, FHWA and the private sector.
Indiana Cities Participate in Road Diet Training
Training sessions in Anderson and Evansville, Indiana, enabled more than 60 people from local governments, metropolitan planning organizations, private industry and the Indiana Department of Transportation to learn about road diets. FHWA staff conducted the two sessions, which featured case studies on road diet projects the cities are considering. Participants inspected the roadway sections targeted for reconfiguration to improve safety and mobility for all road users.
