In 2022, the US Department of Transportation (USDOT) adopted the Safe System Approach (SSA) to minimize fatalities and serious injuries from traffic crashes. At the time of adoption, there was little guidance on how to effectively implement the SSA. This project developed frameworks to help practitioners measure the alignment of projects, plans and policies with the SSA.
As a subconsultant, B&N aided in the development of two different frameworks—the Project-Based Alignment Framework and the Policy-Based Alignment Framework. This process involved leading focus groups to drive the development of the frameworks and piloting them with eight agencies across the country. These frameworks provide a simple method for assessing projects, plans and policies for SSA alignment. B&N is now facilitating workshops with other agencies to inform them about the frameworks and their uses and benefits. Through this process, B&N also helped to inform the Safe System Roadway Design Hierarchy.
The Project-Based Alignment Framework is rooted in the five elements of SSA: Safe Roads, Safe Road Users, Safe Speeds, Safe Vehicles and Post-Crash Care. Quantitative calculations are provided to measure the crash exposure, likelihood and severity for vulnerable road users and motor vehicles.
The Policy-Based Alignment Framework evaluates an agency’s plan, process, program or policy based on the six principles of the SSA. This evaluation is qualitative and scores the level of alignment with the SSA, ranging from initiation to integration.
This first-of-its-kind solution within the U.S. is simplistic and does not require an in-depth knowledge of safety principles, meaning that more people of varying backgrounds can utilize it. It is the first iteration to be used as a launching point to adopt and integrate the SSA in U.S., with the goal remaining to eliminate fatalities and serious injuries to ensure all road users make it home safe.