Order |
Subject |
FHWA Delegations and Organization Manual: |
Classification Code |
Date: |
Office of Primary Interest |
M 1100.1A, Part II, Chapter 6 |
May 30, 2002 |
HAIM-10 |
NOTE: Entire document consists of new material.
PART II (ORGANIZATION AND FUNCTIONS)
Chapter 6 (Safety Core Business Unit)
Section 1. Program Manager
- What is the mission of the Safety Core Business Unit (CBU)? To
provide national leadership and advocacy in the development and implementation
of strategies and programs to continuously reduce the number and severity of
highway crashes involving both motorized and non-motorized travelers on the
Nations highways, streets, bicycle/pedestrian facilities, and at
intermodal connections.
- What are the functions of the Safety CBU?
- Advocacy. Serves as the FHWA advocate and a national leader
for the elimination of highway crashes, and highway safety infrastructure and
other safety programs, including safe highway, bicycle, and pedestrian
facilities. Advocates and supports the FHWA field offices in developing
strong relationships with State, tribal, and local transportation and safety
agencies and other public and private sector partners. Provides national and
international leadership to improve the safety of all highway users, both the
motorist and bicyclist/pedestrian, for local communities as well as through
traffic.
- Strategic Planning and Quality. Develops and executes
national policies and plans, implements program initiatives, and provides
program leadership, management, and oversight for roadway-oriented surface
transportation safety programs. Provides leadership to FHWAs Safety
Strategic goal as the agencys goal manager. Initiates quality
self-assessments, program evaluations, and system and process improvements to
continually improve the quality of the offices programs, products,
and services. Develops and maintains the Safety CBU Business Plan.
- Legislation, Regulations, Policy, and Guidance. Develops
legislative recommendations and administers statutory provisions relating to
FHWAs highway safety mission. Develops and issues regulations, policies,
and guidance for State and local transportation agencies in accordance with
Federal laws. Carries out these functions in cooperation with other DOT and
Federal agencies, as well as FHWA Headquarters and field offices.
- Safety Programs. Coordinates with other appropriate FHWA Units
to initiate and develop national highway and bicycle/pedestrian facility safety
programs to eliminate highway crashes, fatalities, and injuries, including
planning, development and operations, and coordinates as appropriate with other
FHWA and departmental organizations, other Federal agencies, and the public
and private sector.
- Safety Council. Serves as the agencys primary liaison to
the DOT Safety Council involving all major national and international safety
activities and initiatives. In partnership with the Departments Safety
Council, as well as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA),
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Federal Railroad
Administration (FRA), the Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA),
the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), and other Federal agencies, develops
joint policies, outreach initiatives, and training efforts for broad-based and
multidisciplinary safety programs to ensure maximum collaboration within DOT
and to avoid duplication of effort.
- Technology Delivery. In cooperation with other core business
units, resource centers, and the Research, Development, and Technology Service
Business Unit (SBU), leads the development and execution of a multi-year
research and technology program plan to develop and demonstrate broad-based
and multidisciplinary products, tools, and practices to improve highway safety.
These may include but are not limited to roadway features, visibility
under adverse environmental conditions, roadside hardware, roadway
intersections, highway rail crossings, pedestrian and bicyclist facilities,
accommodations for disabled highway users, traffic control devices, work zones,
utility poles, and speed management.
- Outreach and Consultation. Seeks the views of the
Departments field offices, State and local governments, and the private
sector on the development and implementation of highway safety infrastructure
and other safety technologies, programs and strategies and uses that
information in carrying out office functions. Assesses the community impact of
issues relating to highway safety, and seeks to assure that the interest
of the users and the community are addressed in safety policies and
programs.
Section 2. Office of Safety Design
- What is the mission of the Office of Safety Design? To
administer programs and promote practices relating to the development and
incorporation of road and roadside features that impact highway safety
performance.
- What are the functions of the Office of Safety Design?
- Advocacy. Serves as an advocate and national leader for road
and roadside features which improve highway safety performance, including
agency leadership in accommodating the parking needs of persons with
disabilities. Advances state-of-the-art technologies and practices regarding
design of highways, bicycle and pedestrian facilities, and other safety
technologies and practices. Coordinates with other agencies regarding highway
safety issues and represents FHWAs safety interests with other public and
private organizations.
- Policy and Guidance. Develops policies and guidelines, in
cooperation with the Office of Safety Programs and the Office of Program
Integration and Delivery for national highway safety programs. Provides
guidance on safety performance goals, policies, and criteria for all public
roads, and bicycle/pedestrian facilities. Provides national leadership in the
policy and guidance on highway safety infrastructure features including
pavement skid resistance, roadway geometrics and cross-sections, and roadside
safety features, traffic control devices, and highway-rail grade crossings. In
cooperation with NHTSA, develops policies and guidelines for the State Highway
Safety Programs.
- Uniform Traffic Control Devices. Coordinates with the
Operations CBU in the development and maintenance of the Manual on Uniform
Traffic Control Devices, the retroreflectivity of signs and pavement markings,
and supporting documents and promotion of the safe and uniform application of
traffic control devices.
- Safety Information and Analysis. Serves as the FHWA
national leader to ensure FHWA Divisions have the expertise to conduct and to
perform safety data analysis to support program activities with State partners.
Identifies data needs to carry out analyses necessary to support a safety
mission, collects data, and performs data analyses to determine accident trends
and to evaluate FHWAs safety program and policy effectiveness. In
cooperation with other DOT and FHWA offices, works to assure that data resources
are available to address safety issues. Develops, maintains, and uses information
systems to support highway and bicyclist/pedestrian infrastructure and other
safety programs. With the resource centers and divisions, assists the States
with data information systems to ensure the most accurate complete and timely
data are available for national and State data analyses. Advise the DOT Safety
Council on information and data issues that support the Department's efforts to
develop joint policies, outreach initiatives, and training efforts for
multidisciplinary safety programs.
- Highway Safety Hardware and Design. Analyzes and accepts
highway safety hardware for use on the National Highway System and other
roadways. Provides information to partners and customers on current and
emerging strategies to improve highway safety.
- Railroad-Highway Crossings. In coordination with the FRA,
directs the national program to improve hazardous railroad-highway crossing
locations including the development and implementation of special studies and
FHWA involvement with Operation Lifesaver.
- Technical Assistance. Provides advice and assistance and
serves as the Headquarters focal point to other FHWA CBUs, resource centers,
and division offices, and State and local jurisdictions regarding highway
safety program development, evaluation, and administration. Develops and
promotes the Road Safety Audits process. Provides support for international
highway safety activities. In cooperation with the Federal Lands CBU, works to
improve safety on Federal Lands and Native American Lands. Represents FHWA
through a variety of technical forums dealing with highway safety, including
roadside design and hardware safety, and highway-rail grade crossing safety. In
partnership with the resource centers, divisions, and the Professional
Development SBU, develops training material to advance the
state-of-the-practice in highway safety.
Section 3. Office of Safety Programs
- What is the mission of the Office of Safety Programs? To
develop and manage programs for the safe operation of roadways, bicycle and
pedestrian facilities, and at intermodal connections.
- What are the functions of the Office of Safety Programs?
- Advocacy. Serves as an advocate and national leader for
Federal Highway programs and State highway safety programs and activities that
improve the safe operation of roadways. Coordinates with other agencies dealing
with highway safety issues and represents FHWAs interests with other
public and private organizations.
- Safety Programs. Develops policies, procedures, and guides
for development, administration, and management of FHWA highway safety programs
and safety-related information in collaboration with other FHWA offices and DOT
agencies. In partnership with other FHWA and departmental organizations, and
the public and private sectors, uses the information and results to identify
and evaluate policies, practices, and technologies. Develops and implements
policies, regulations, and guidance on highway safety grant programs.
Coordinates the Highway Safety Improvement program.
- Program Analysis. Prepares recurring and special reports
based on highway, user, and crash statistics and safety needs information.
Analyzes highway safety crash trends and evaluates program effectiveness in
reducing the number and severity of crashes. Researches crash causation and
exposure data. Conducts cost/benefit analyses and regulatory flexibility
analyses in support of new or revised legislation. Advises the DOT Safety
Council on information and data issues that support the Departments
efforts to develop joint policies, outreach initiatives, and training efforts
for multidisciplinary safety programs. Promotes the safety management process.
- Speed Management Program. In cooperation with the Operations
CBU, manages the speed management program with NHTSA and FMCSA.
- Pedestrian/Bicycle Activities. Coordinates with NHTSA and
the Research, Development, and Technology SBU to develop and implement a
national program to improve safety for pedestrians and bicyclists.
- Intersection Safety. Coordinates with the Research,
Development, and Technology SBU and the Infrastructure CBU to develop and
implement a national program to improve intersection safety, including a
reduction in Red Light Running.
- Highway Work Zones. Coordinates with the Operations CBU in
the development and implementation of the national program to improve safety
and mobility in highway work zones. In coordination with other FHWA units,
participates on the Work Zone Mobility and Safety Integrated Products Team.
- Program Assistance and Guidance. Provides program assistance
and guidance to FHWA field offices and State and local agencies in efforts to
accommodate the needs of older drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists. Provides
policy guidance to the Federal Lands Highway CBU as it works with other Federal
agencies to develop safety management systems. Provides technical assistance to
resource centers, divisions, and States, as requested.
- Safety Management. Coordinates with NHTSA to promote and
implement safety management practices and principles nationally.
- National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Recommendations. Serves as the agencys focal point for responses to
NTSB recommendations, coordinating the development of NTSB recommendations and
tracking the implementation of the recommendations.
Section 4. Office of Program Integration and Delivery
- What is the mission of the Office of Program Integration and
Delivery? To provide strategic direction for surface transportation
programs administered by FHWA, ensure that safety policies and programs are
integrated with other FHWA and DOT policies and initiatives, and manage and
promote a program to leverage technology and innovation in the support of FHWA
safety objectives.
- What are the functions of the Office of Program
Integration and Delivery?
- Advocacy. Ensures appropriate linkage and integration of
safety practices and principles with other entities, including other FHWA
Units, DOT agencies, and external organizations.
- Strategic Planning. Directs strategic plan development
for safety-related elements of FHWA and other DOT agencies, which is designed
to achieve national goals and performance objectives relating to improved
highway and bicycle/pedestrian safety infrastructure and other safety aspects
of the surface transportation system. Develops safety-related performance plans
and elements of the Administrators performance agreement with the
Secretary. Develops strategies to assist division offices to ensure that national
highway safety policy objectives are reflected in State safety program activities.
- Legislation and Regulations. Develops, recommends,
reviews, and coordinates legislative provisions relating to FHWAs highway
safety mission. In coordination with other FHWA organizations, as appropriate,
provides technical assistance to Congressional authorizing and appropriations
committees in developing legislative recommendations and interpreting statutory
provisions related to safety.
- Policy Coordination. Provides guidance on the inclusion
of infrastructure safety and other safety initiatives into intelligent
transportation systems (ITS) activities, including the Intelligent Vehicle Initiative (IVI), and including
streamlining Federal-aid policies, procedures, and guidelines to facilitate the
deployment of ITS.
- Outreach and Consultation. Seeks the views of other FHWA
and DOT organizations, and public and private sector customers, including
academia, on the development and implementation of highway and
bicycle/pedestrian safety technologies and strategies and uses that information
to represent the agencys safety interests with organizations such as the
National Safety Council, Roadway Safety Foundation, American Association of
State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), Transportation Research
Board, the National Cooperative Highway Research Program, the National Association
of Governors' Highway Safety Representatives, bicyclist and pedestrian associations,
Operation Lifesaver, the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE), the Transportation
Builders Association (ARTBA), and the American Public Works Association. Actively seeks to
include a public involvement element in the decisions that affect safety innovations in
communities and neighborhoods.
- Research and Technology Program. In cooperation with the
Research, Development, and Technology SBU, develops the multi-year and annual
Highway Safety Research and Technology (R&T) Program Plan. Manages R&T
Program resources provided to the Safety CBU, and coordinates preparation of
justification documentation and presentation materials on the R&T Program
for FHWA Management Council and other entities discussions. In
cooperation with the Operations CBU, Infrastructure CBU, the Research, Development, and
Technology SBU, and other DOT, academia, and private sector partners, supports the
development, demonstration, field testing, and evaluation of emerging
technologies, standards, and practices designed to improve the safe movement of
people and goods, and/or enchance the safety of the surface transportation system.
Supports the development, application, and dissemination of technologies
desgined to enhance highway safety. Participates in cross-cutting integrated
product teams and takes a lead where the primary mission is improving highway
safety.
- Technology Delivery. Manages the FHWA program to design,
implement, and deliver programs to advance the adoption of highway
safety-related and market-ready technologies and innovations. In partnership
with the resource centers, divisions, and the Professional Development SBU,
develops training material to advance the state-of-the-practice in highway
safety. Working with both the resource centers and industry, designs,
implements, and delivers programs to advance the adoption of market-ready
technologies provides information to customers on the current and emerging
technologies and stratetgies to improve highway safety. Acts as a techonogy
and information clearinghouse for resource centers, divisions, and States on
information relating to highway safety programs. Helps to coordinate the
development of international highway safety standards and requirements, and works
with the international highway safety standards and requirements, and works with
the appropriate offices to identify and share highway safety technology
applications and requirements. In cooperation with the Planning and Environment,
Operations, and Infrastructure CBU's, works with the Federal Lands Highway CBU,
resource centers, and divisions to identify and deploy highway safety
technologies and products.
- Monitoring and Evaluation. Monitors the implementation of
activities by other FHWA organizations and departmental modes, industry, and
other partners and customers to ensure that highway safety is embraced in their
programs. Assesses the impact of FHWAs policies, funds, and programs on
highway safety. Uses results to improve program performance and guide future
FHWA program development. Initiates system and process improvements to
continually improve highway safety infrastructure and safety programs, products,
and services.
- Communication and Marketing Assistance. Provides and
maintains communication, marketing assistance, outreach, and coordination
services for all highway safety infrastructure and other safety initiatives and
activities, including the Safety CBU Website, FHWA-wide publications (Public
Roads and Transporter magazines, etc.) in support of highway and
bicycle/pedestrian safety programs. Coordinates with several support units
within FHWA, supports the external communication, Internet
communication, publication, correspondence, and media response. In partnership
with the field offices, develops and conducts public education efforts and
media relations to support the highway and bicycle/pedestrian facilities safety
programs. Works with a broad spectrum of internal and external stakeholders in
the public and private sectors concerned with FHWA's safety program to develop and
implement a communication strategy to eliminate highway crashes and promote safe
transportation. Coordinates with AASHTO, TRB, private organizations (such as ATSSA,
ITE, AND ARTBA), bicyclist/pedestrian organizations and others to develop implementation
and market strategies for key national technology program activities.
FHWA Order M 1100.1A, Chg. 21 |
Part II, Ch. 6 |
O1-18-01 |
Figure 6.1 |
Safety
Core Business Unit
Chapter 5 | Table of Contents | Chapter 7