The number of traffic crashes, fatalities, and injuries in Southeast Michigan all decreased from 2017 to 2018. Continuing these positive crash trends and improving the safety of people traveling in Southeast Michigan requires an ongoing commitment to reducing risks throughout the transportation system. This commitment requires a comprehensive approach that includes expanding roadway safety features, changing the design of high-crash areas, and providing dedicated facilities for all modes of travel.
Recently, SEMCOG hosted a workshop on traffic safety that highlighted data resources, funding opportunities, and local case studies to assist road agencies with implementing safety projects. Highlights from the workshop are below. View the presentation slides.
MDOT Safety Program & Funding
A slide from Pam Blazo’s presentation on MDOT’s safety program
There is $15 million available for FY 2021 through the High Risk Rural Road (HRRR) program and the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP). Project eligibility requirements and the program financial goals are listed in MDOT’s calls for projects. Some application tips:
- Read the call letters carefully since they are modified each year.
- Submit all required documents and other relevant information (e.g., ADT, project location map, and photos of existing conditions).
- Don’t include non-applicable UD-10 crash reports in the Time of Return (TOR) analysis or application.
- Submit a Highway Safety Manual analysis to supplement the TOR analysis, especially for locations with little-to-no crash history.
- Use the Southeast Michigan Traffic Safety Plan and High Priority Safety Locations map to help identify priority emphasis areas and project locations. Reference the analysis used to determine the proposed project’s scope in the cover letter and attach relevant documentation.
A portion of HSIP funds are once again earmarked for streamlined systemic projects. Since these are proven engineering countermeasures, the application is a simple one-page form. Eligible project types include horizontal curve delineation, rumble strips, edge line pavement marking, signal backplates, or stop controlled intersection sign upgrades.
Make sure to submit your applications to MDOT by August 5, 2019!
Local Best Practices & Countermeasures
Pedestrian crossing on Seventh Street in Ann Arbor, from Cynthia Redinger’s presentation
Improving pedestrian safety has been a primary focus for Ann Arbor since their first Nonmotorized Plan, adopted in 2007. Since then, the city passed a crosswalk ordinance, formed a Pedestrian Safety and Access Task Force, and participated in research projects on changing driver behavior that resulted in higher driver yield rates at pedestrian crossings. In 2016, the city established Crosswalk Design Guidelines to standardize their crosswalk designs based on street type and risk. Surrounding land use and how a crossing location fits into the overall transportation network are now considered when determining crosswalk enhancements, instead of only considering the number of people that currently cross at the location. High-risk locations receive enhanced treatments, such as the Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon seen above.
A slide from Mia Silver’s presentation on mumble stripes
This summer, Macomb County Department of Roads is installing 50 miles of sinusoidal rumble stripes, also known as “mumble stripes,” throughout the county. These will be the first mumble strips or stripes (when an edge line or centerline pavement marking is placed on the strip) in the SEMCOG region. The outside noise created by mumble stripes is almost half as loud as traditional rumble stripes while maintaining similar noise levels inside the vehicle. This new design is an effective treatment for preventing lane-departure crashes while reducing noise complaints. It’s also an eligible project type for the streamlined systemic HSIP application!
Roundabout in Oakland County, from Danielle Deneau’s presentation
Safety is a top priority for the Road Commission for Oakland County. RCOC conducts an annual safety review of the top 50 intersections, top 50 road segments, and top 25 gravel segments in the county. A crash analysis, field review, and safety audit is performed for each location. Results are reviewed with multiple departments (maintenance, planning, and programming) in order to identify short-term actions and long-term solutions. This annual review has led to innovative solutions for traffic safety issues, such as the use of high friction surface treatment on Clarkston Road to help drivers maintain control on sharp, curved areas of the road.
RCOC has also embraced the use of roundabouts at complex intersections. There are 25 roundabouts currently in operation in Oakland County and another six are planned for 2019. RCOC also installed its first compact (mini) roundabout in November 2018. These are smaller and cheaper than a traditional roundabout but have similar safety benefits. According to the Federal Highway Administration, roundabouts provide more than a 75 percent reduction in injury crashes and a 90 percent reduction in traffic fatalities.
SEMCOG Data & Planning Tools
SEMCOG’s interactive traffic crash map
SEMCOG has resources for local agencies working to improve the safety of our roadways. The Southeast Michigan Traffic Safety Plan is a data-driven approach to identify the region’s key safety needs and guide investment decisions aimed to reduce traffic fatalities and serious injuries. Additional online tools include an interactive traffic crash map, high priority safety locations story map, roadway segment and intersection data search, traffic crash data search, high-frequency crash locations, and community profiles. Use these tools to identify priority safety locations and gather data for your HSIP and HRRR project applications!
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