AASHTO Journal - New FHWA Initiative Aims to Boost Roadway Safety

The Federal Highway Administration has launched a new roadway safety initiative that targets non-freeway arterial roads, with Sean Duffy – secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation – calling on governors in every state to support this effort.

[Above photo by NCDOT]

Based on data compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2023, over half of all the roadway fatalities in the U.S. occurred on non-freeway or expressway arterial roads, with pedestrians comprising nearly two-thirds of those fatalities.

“I am calling on governors in every state to ensure that roadways, intersections, and crosswalks are kept free of distractions,” said Duffy in a letter. “Far too many Americans die each year due to traffic fatalities to take our eye off the ball. USDOT stands ready to help communities across the country make their roads safer and easier to navigate.”

Duffy asked states to participate in the new FHWA Safe Arterials for Everyone through Reliable Operations and Distraction-Reducing Strategies or “SAFE ROADS” initiative, stressing that intersections and crosswalks need to be kept free from distractions such as political messages or artwork.

USDOT noted in a statement that the new SAFE ROADS initiative also seeks to deploy more data-driven programs to better target safety and mobility investments; empower states and local governments to simplify and improve roadway environments; and make roads safer and easier to navigate for pedestrians, vehicle operators, and automated vehicles alike.

As part of the SAFE ROADS initiative, Duffy said governors have 60 days to direct their state departments of transportation to work with their respective metropolitan partners to use available safety data, analysis, and assessments to identify a list of arterial segments – including intersections – in need of safety enhancements and then submit that list to the FHWA. 

FHWA, in turn, said it will assist state DOTs with technical expertise and resources, including road safety audits and assessments, to select effective safety and operational countermeasures to accelerate improvements. 

The agency added that it will also ensure compliance with federal standards, such as those for traffic control devices and use of the roadway right-of-way, as new safety measures are deployed.  