AASHTO Journal - Michigan DOT Conducting Statewide VRU Survey

The Michigan Department of Transportation is conducting a vulnerable road user or VRU “safety assessment” via a 15-question survey and several public open houses across the state to improve understanding of the conditions and behaviors present in fatal and serious injury crashes.

[Above photo by Michigan DOT]

The agency said in a statement that VRUs include anyone walking, biking or rolling via non-motorized forms of transportation on public roads or on foot in work zones.

Michigan DOT noted that, although it completed an initial VRU safety assessment in 2023 in accordance with the directive outlined in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act or IIJA, it continues to look for opportunities to engage and obtain feedback from the public on this topic.

[Editor’s note: Bradley Wieferich, director of the Michigan DOT, recently discussed how “significant infrastructure investments” are driving large-scale projects across his state in the latest “State DOT 2-Minute Update” video produced by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.]

Every year, the agency said VRUs are killed or seriously injured on Michigan roads at a rate faster than other road users. With recognition of the importance of safe travel for all – especially VRUs – Michigan DOT and its statewide partners are transitioning to the “Safe System Approach” or SSA to create a more “human-centered” approach to addressing roadway safety.

[Editor’s note: The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials endorsed a similar nationally-focused roadway safety strategy launched by the U.S. Department of Transportation in 2022.]

Michigan DOT said that its SSA strategy is founded on the principle that all humans make mistakes and that human bodies have a limited ability to tolerate crash impacts. Also, SSAs also feature “redundant systems” that strive to eliminate fatalities and serious injuries by reducing risks and anticipating mistakes.

The agency noted that the deadline for public responses to its survey is August 18.