FHWA/MoDOT Partnering Agreements
Highway Safety and Traffic Division

I. Roles and Responsibilities of MoDOT:

MoDOT's role is to ensure the program area performs in accordance with state and federal laws and regulations while implementing MoDOT's mission and tangible results, division business plan, and Missouri's Strategic Highway Safety Plan's (SHSP) priorities and goals. This includes MoDOT's core value to "Be Safe."

• MoDOT and FHWA staff will work together to complete risk statements, risk assessments and develop mitigation strategies.

• MoDOT will involve FHWA in the update and implementation of the SHSP. The FHWA Transportation Specialist (Safety & Mobility) will be devoted to working with the Executive Committee and regional coalitions to help implement the SHSP.

• MoDOT will ensure quality data analysis is provided to the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety (MCRS) and regional coalitions. The FHWA Transportation Specialist (Safety & Mobility) will provide technical assistance as needed.

• MoDOT will evaluate the effectiveness of the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) including how it supports the SHSP in collaboration with the FHWA. An evaluation report is due to the FHWA Division Office by August 31st of each year using the Online Reporting Tool.

• MoDOT will communicate with FHWA Transportation Specialist (Safety & Mobility) on information related to setting the required safety targets that are included in the HSIP.

• SHSP strategies (including those related to the 402 Program) will be evaluated by MoDOT staff and FHWA in cooperation with the Executive Committee of the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety.

• The Highway Safety and Traffic Division will work with MoDOT's Leadership in support of achieving a 100% obligation rate for HSIP funds (required by law).

• Work with FHWA on the development of MoDOT's mission and tangible results and division business plans to coordinate and align where possible with the FHWA performance plan goals.

• Invite FHWA to actively participate in statewide safety and traffic team meetings, including but not be limited to:

• • Quality Circle Meetings (Safety, Work Zone, Signal, Sign & Marking)
  • TSMO Implementation Teams
  • CAV Implementation Team
  • MCRS Subcommittee Meetings
  • Highway Safety & Traffic Conference Planning

  Provide meeting agendas to FHWA prior to meetings and provide minutes for comments or clarification at the conclusion of each meeting, when available.

• Work with FHWA to maintain substantial conformance of MoDOT's traffic control-related guidance with the MUTCD, obtain clarification and interpretation of the MUTCD, and coordinate any requests for experimentation of traffic control devices per the MUTCD.

• Work with FHWA Transportation Specialist (Safety & Mobility) and/or FHWA ITS Engineer to comply with requirements for a real-time system management information program pursuant to Section 1201 of SAFETEA-LU and as established by section 511 under Title 23 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

• Work with FHWA as co-lead for Crowdsourcing for Operations, STEP, and Reducing Rural Roadway Departure Fatalities as promoted by EDC.

• Copy FHWA Division office on all correspondence to FHWA Headquarters or Resource Center.

• Host FHWA funded trainings, workshops, and peer-to-peer exchanges when supported by MoDOT direction, business plan, and resources. Share a list of scheduled training courses and conferences, deadlines, grants and other informational data annually and update as needed.

• Coordinate communications systems and infrastructure projects, which may include MoDOT projects or projects in partnership with other agencies or private interests.

• Grading and changes in access requests on the interstate that come through the permit process will require FHWA approval. All requests will be submitted to FHWA through the Division's Realty Specialist. Respond to FHWA comments/questions within 10 working days of receiving the correspondence.

• "Welcome To" monument requests on the interstate will require coordination with Central Office Right of Way and FHWA approval (requests should be coordinated with FHWA Division Realty Specialist).

• Notify the FHWA Program Implementation Team Leader or their designee of traffic incidents in accordance with FHWA guidelines. Coordinate traffic incident response initiatives.

• Work with FHWA on policy review and updates in the Engineering Policy Guide (EPG).

• Work with FHWA to implement MoDOT's TSMO Implementation Plan.

• Work with FHWA to develop and implement MoDOT's CAV Implementation Plan.

• In partnership, FHWA and Highway Safety and Traffic staff will develop Missouri's Work Zone Process Review every two years to assess the effectiveness of work zone safety and mobility policies and procedures (pursuant to federal regulations 23 CFR 630 Subpart J).

• Work with FHWA on crash testing correspondence and MASH implementation in Missouri.

• FHWA and Highway Safety and Traffic staff will make periodic joint visits to the districts to discuss implementation of regional coalition plans, HSIP program projects, work zone reviews, and the like.

II. Roles and Responsibilities of FHWA

FHWA's role is to ensure the program areas of safety, traffic, and ITS performs in accordance with federal laws and regulations while implementing FHWA's performance plan and required stewardship and oversight. The following tasks are considered the most important and we will work in partnership to ensure success.

• The FHWA Transportation Specialist (Safety & Mobility) will be devoted to working with the Executive Committee and regional coalitions to help implement the SHSP.

• The FHWA Transportation Specialist (Safety & Mobility) and/or other designated personnel will review and provide comments to the Highway Safety and Traffic Engineer within ten (10) working days of a request for technical analysis.

• The FHWA Transportation Specialist (Safety & Mobility) will attend funding bill implementation meetings and provide comments on any written submittals in a timely manner.

• The FHWA Transportation Specialist (Safety & Mobility) and/or other personnel will work with the Highway Safety and Traffic Engineer in evaluating the effectiveness of the SHSP and in developing new strategies. FHWA staff will assist MoDOT in the update of the SHSP (required every 5 years). Quarterly progress meetings will be held.

• The FHWA Transportation Specialist (Safety & Mobility) will continue to work with Highway Safety and Traffic Engineer in support of achieving a 100% obligation rate for HSIP funds.

• Work with MoDOT staff on the development of FHWA's performance plan to align where possible with MoDOT's mission and Tangible Results.

• Actively participate in statewide team meetings when necessary to address pertinent agenda items (see list under MoDOT responsibilities). Provide comments or clarification as needed to meeting minutes.

• Work with MoDOT to maintain substantial conformance of MoDOT's traffic control-related guidance with the MUTCD, and provide clarification and interpretation of the MUTCD. Coordinate requests for experimentation of traffic control devices per the MUTCD, and inform MoDOT staff of changes and compliance dates to the MUTCD and any interim approvals.

• Work with MoDOT staff to ensure requirements for a real-time system management information program pursuant to Section 1201 of SAFETEA-LU and as established by section 511 under Title 23 of the Code of Federal Regulations are adequately met.

• Work with MoDOT as co-lead for Crowdsourcing for Operations and Next Generation TIM as promoted by EDC.

• FHWA will review and provide input on MoDOT temporary traffic control, signal, lighting, safety, and other initiatives as needed. This includes potential policy revision.

• Share FHWA policy memos, grant and funding opportunities, initiatives, information from the Resource Center, and other information pertaining to Traffic and Safety Engineering with MoDOT.

• Respond to MoDOT Highway Safety and Traffic Division requests for information, interpretation, etc., within ten (10) working days of the request.

• Provide MoDOT with a list of training, conferences, deadlines, grants, and other informational data annually and update as needed throughout the year.

• FHWA will be open to new ideas and innovations and work with MoDOT to implement new initiatives in a timely manner, while complying with federal rules, regulations, and laws.

• Provide FHWA's direction and involvement in ITS and Traffic Management-related decision making as requested by MoDOT to resolve issues.

• Support the planning, design and construction of ITS components of major construction projects.

• Missouri Division Realty Specialist will work with MoDOT staff to review/approve permit approvals for grading and changes in access on the interstate. Respond to MoDOT requests within ten (10) working days of receiving the correspondence.

• Missouri Division Realty Specialist will work with Central Office Right of Way staff to review/approve "Welcome To" monument requests per the Right of Way Program Partnering Agreement.

• The FHWA Program Implementation Team Leader or their designee will report traffic incidents to FHWA Headquarters in accordance with FHWA emergency reporting procedures.

• Coordinate communications systems and infrastructure projects, which may include MoDOT projects or projects in partnership with other agencies or private interests, and provide feedback and approval of any FHWA funds for these initiatives.

• FHWA will advise Central Office Highway Safety and Traffic Division of any direct involvement with MoDOT District staff regarding project reviews, or any guidance or approvals given by FHWA to District staff (especially when not in conformance with MoDOT standards or MUTCD), and copy Central Office Highway Safety and Traffic Division on any related correspondence with Districts.

• FHWA and Highway Safety and Traffic staff will make periodic joint visits to the districts to discuss implementation of regional coalition plans, HSIP program projects, work zone reviews, and the like.

• Assist MoDOT on policy review and necessary updates in the Engineering Policy Guide (EPG).

• Assist MoDOT with implementation of MoDOT's TSMO Implementation Plan.

• Assist MoDOT with development and implementation of MoDOT's CAV Implementation Plan.

• In partnership, FHWA and Highway Safety and Traffic staff will develop Missouri's Work Zone Process Review every two years to assess the effectiveness of work zone safety and mobility policies and procedures (pursuant to federal regulations 23 CFR 630 Subpart J).

• Work with MoDOT on crash testing correspondence and MASH implementation in Missouri.

III. Ground Rules

We agree to concentrate efforts in improving our work by following these ground rules:

• We will respect each other by listening and trying to view issues from the standpoint of each partner.
• We will present a unified voice to internal and external customers. We will discuss matters together before responding to customers. FHWA personnel will not initiate action on statewide policy issues at the district level without having discussed and agreed to an approach with the appropriate personnel in the Central Office Division.
• We will communicate directly with each other by telephone, mail, e-mail and most importantly in face-to-face conversations.
• We will meet quarterly to discuss the implementation of the SHSP. We will work together in developing the Highway Safety and Traffic Division Tracker and the FHWA Performance Plan to ensure they are in line with FHWA goals, MoDOT' s tangible results and the SHSP.
• We will have early and continuing consultation on issues important to both FHWA and MoDOT. This includes membership on both FHWA and MoDOT teams and task forces that deal with highway safety issues.
• We will make decisions by developing consensus.
• We will review projects and requests for approval thoroughly while striving to meet timelines.
• We will jointly attend and actively participate in statewide team meetings.
• We will add value to the discussions and refrain from personal agendas at all meetings.
• We will respond to e-mails and telephone calls within two business days unless out of the office during that time.
• Both parties recognize that there will be circumstances where a "waiver" from the completeness or timeliness criteria will be proposed. Waivers shall be well documented and agreed upon by both parties.
• We will revisit this partnering agreement annually to determine if changes need to be made.

IV. Conflict Resolution

In case of conflict, we will resolve it at the lowest level by mutual agreement. If we cannot reach mutual agreement, the issue should be elevated within ten (10) days to facilitate prompt resolution. We agree to elevate the issue in the following manner:

• First, MoDOT's State Highway Safety and Traffic Engineer and FHWA's Division Program Implementation Team Leader will meet to discuss and attempt to resolve conflicts that could not be resolved by their staffs.
• Second, issues unresolved at the first level will be elevated to MoDOT's Assistant Chief Engineer and FHWA's Deputy Division Administrator.
• Finally, any issues unresolved at the first or second levels will be elevated to MoDOT's Deputy Director/Chief Engineer and FHWA's Division Administrator.

V. Performance Evaluation

We will measure our partnering progress and success by the following performance indicators on all public roads in Missouri:

• Progress toward meeting new SHSP Goal of 0 fatalities by 2030
• Number of Fatalities
• Fatalities per vehicle mile travelled
• Number of Serious Injuries
• Serious injuries per vehicle mile travelled
• Number of Non-Motorized Fatalities and Number of Non-Motorized Serious Injuries
• HSIP Obligation Rate (Goal 100%)
• Safety projects implemented at local level
• Travel times and reliability on major routes
• Cost and impact of traffic congestion
• Number of fatalities and serious injuries in work zones
• Work zone impacts to the traveling public
• Annual hours of truck delay
• Truck reliability index
• Average time to clear traffic crashes

VI. Program Assessment

The objective of FHWA's risk management process is to establish a consistent approach to identify and prioritize program area risks. Applying the principles of risk makes it possible to identify threats and opportunities; assess and prioritize those threats and opportunities; and determine and prioritize strategies so that we can decide how to address future issues affecting the Federal-aid Highway Programs.

MoDOT Highway Safety and Traffic staff and FHWA agree to coordinated yearly meetings to identify safety and operations risk areas and strategies for the next performance year.

VII. Communicating with Management

We will keep management informed of our activities and how our partnering is working by:

• Providing weekly fatality data.
• Discussions in MoDOT Highway Safety and Traffic staff meetings, FHWA Team Leader meetings, and Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety meetings.
• Sharing minutes/action items from semi-annual MoDOT/FHWA partnering meetings.
• Yearly Report concerning conflicts which have been elevated for consideration above the State Highway Safety and Traffic Engineer/FHWA Program Implementation Team Leader level.

[SIGNED]:
Nicole Hood
MoDOT Highway Safety and Traffic Engineer
Date: November 24, 2021

[DIGITALLY SIGNED]:
John Paul Miller
FHWA Missouri Division Transportation Specialist (Safety and Mobility)
Date: 2021.11.29

[DIGITALLY SIGNED]
Dawn R Perkins
FHWA Missouri Division Acting Program Implementation Team Leader
Date: 2021.11.29