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SECTION VI--NCHRP PROJECT 17-18(3) GUIDANCE FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE AASHTO STRATEGIC HIGHWAY SAFETY PLAN
Implementation Step 3: Establish Crash Reduction Goals
General Description
The AASHTO Strategic Highway Safety Plan established a national goal of saving 5,000 to
7,000 lives annually by the year 2005. Some states have established statewide goals for the
reduction of fatalities or crashes of a certain degree of severity. Establishing an explicit
goal for crash reduction can place an agency "on the spot," but it usually provides an
impetus to action and builds support for funding programs for its achievement.
Therefore, it is desirable to establish, within each emphasis area, one or more crash
reduction targets.
These may be dictated by strategic-level planning for the agency, or it may be left to the
stakeholders to determine. (The summary of the Wisconsin DOT Highway Safety Plan in
Appendix A has more information.) For example, Pennsylvania adopted a goal of 10 percent
reduction in fatalities by 2002,1 while California established a goal of 40 percent reduction
in fatalities and 15 percent reduction in injury crashes, as well as a 10 percent reduction in
work zone crashes, in 1 year.2 At the municipal level, Toledo, Ohio, is cited by the U.S.
Conference of Mayors as having an exemplary program. This included establishing specific
crash reduction goals (http://www.usmayors.org/chhs/traffic/best_traffic_initiative_
toledo.htm). When working within an emphasis area, it may be desirable to specify certain
types of crashes, as well as the severity level, being targeted.
There are a few key considerations for establishing a quantitative goal. The stakeholders
should achieve consensus on this issue. The goal should be challenging, but achievable. Its
feasibility depends in part on available funding, the timeframe in which the goal is to be
achieved, the degree of complexity of the program, and the degree of controversy the program
may experience. To a certain extent, the quantification of the goal will be an iterative process.
If the effort is directed at a particular location, then this becomes a relatively straightforward
action.
Specific Elements
1. Identify the type of crashes to be targeted
1.1. Subset of all crash types
1.2. Level of severity
2. Identify existing statewide or other potentially related crash reduction goals
3. Conduct a process with stakeholders to arrive at a consensus on a crash reduction goal
3.1. Identify key considerations
3.2. Identify past goals used in the jurisdiction
3.3. Identify what other jurisdictions are using as crash reduction goals
3.4. Use consensus-seeking methods, as needed
1
Draft State Highway Safety Plan, State of Pennsylvania, July 22, 1999
2
Operations Program Business Plan, FY 1999/2000, State of California, Caltrans, July 1999
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