Safety is one of the most important goals in the operation of the transportation system Over the past thirty years, transportation fatality rates have declined, due in large part to safer cars, tougher police enforcement, and increasing use of seat belts, air bags, and child safety seats. However, in many cases, the actual number of crashes has increased because there are more people using the transportation system.
 What is the role of the metropolitan planning organization in transportation safety? Transportation planning takes safety considerations into account by identifying high-crash locations and giving them high priority for improvements. Many state and local transportation agencies have developed safety management systems that monitor crash locations. The MPO can participate in data collection for these systems or coordinate the development of a regional safety management system. In addition, MPOs play a key role in integrating safety into the metropolitan transportation planning process by coordinating with transit, state highway and motor carrier safety agencies.
What are the requirements for incorporating safety into transportation planning? Federal transportation legislation such as the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (known as TEA-21) and the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: a Legacy for Users (known as SAFETEA-LU) include safety as one of the main planning factors to be considered in transportation planning. Specifically, the planning process should consider projects and strategies that will "increase the safety and security of the transportation system for motorized and non-motorized users."
This means that both short and long-range plans include safety as a key area of focus. Safety is also a factor when rating projects and strategies for possible inclusion in short range plans and programs. In addition, it encourages regional, state, and local agencies to work together to save lives by improving engineering, education, enforcement, and emergency response services.
Learn more For more information:
Bala Akundi, bakundi@baltometro.org or 410-732-0500 x1019.
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 20 November 2008 )
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Transportation Planning 
About the BRTB
Safety Planning
