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The AAA Foundation recently released its report on the initial usRAP pilot in Iowa and Michigan. usRAP is designed to benchmark the relative risk of road segments through analyses of crash data and inspection of roadway design features. usRAP has the potential to assist the state DOTs is conducting more systematic analyses of road safety risk, including those required by the new Federal Highway Safety Improvement Program and Rural Road Safety programs mandated by SAFETEA-LU. Senior executives from Iowa and Michigan DOTs—where phase one of the pilot was conducted—described usRAP as an important new tool and a great learning process. They encouraged other state DOTs to collaborate with AAA. A second phase of the pilot has already begun in Florida and New Jersey and may expand into additional states. usRAP has been endorsed by the Roadway Safety Foundation (RSF) Advisory Committee. The RSF is comprised of key stakeholders throughout the road safety community. It recently received a four-year cooperative agreement from FHWA to facilitate improvements in road safety data, develop a safer roads public service campaign and promote road safety research. To obtain the FHWA grant, RSF pledged to support and collaborate with the usRAP effort, viewing it as a vital new initiative. The RSF is an affiliate of the American Highway Users Alliance, a trade association in Washington, DC that represents a broad cross section of transportation organizations. The AAA Foundation will work with the RSF to expand the ongoing pilot program and to foster its wider acceptance. The usRAP report, introductory brochure, and press release are available on-line at www.usRAP.us. |
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