Overview Safety Circuit Riders: Where are they, what do they do? David Veneziano Safety Circuit Rider Iowa Local Technical Assistance Program September 24, 2015 2015 MINK Conference What is a safety circuit rider? Why are they needed? Who has safety circuit riders? What does a safety circuit rider do? Activity details Benefits Challenges Conclusions History LTAPs tasked to: Compile and maintain a mailing list Publish a quarterly newsletter Provide technical materials Provide an information service Conduct and arrange minimum of 10 training seminars/year Perform a self evaluation Iowa added another task History cont d The Iowa Safety Circuit Rider ISU/CTRE (now InTrans) liaison with local agencies Provide training for local agency staff Training provided at agency sites 100% funded by LTAP via different sources 1
History cont d Iowa Safety Circuit Rider history The Iowa SCR dates back to 1989 Present programs on safety analysis, signing inventory and analysis, and workzone safety 1989-1996 - Ed Bigelow 1997 - Michael Jorgensen 1998 2013 Tom McDonald 2015 present David Veneziano What is a Safety Circuit Rider? Circuit rider defined as someone who travels throughout a given territory to provide services Safety Circuit Rider (SCR) focus is on safety Provides safety-related information, training, and support to agencies responsible for local roadway safety Can include technical assistance, training, and technology transfer Why are they needed? Most local agencies lack resources/ technical expertise to properly identify, diagnose, and treat safety problems Operate with smaller staffs and more limited resources Some lack staff with formal training or expertise in safety Why are they needed? Access to a SCR enhances available resources E.g., safety related knowledge and tools, training needs, etc. Goal is to reduce the frequency and severity of roadway crashes through agency support 2
What Makes a Good Circuit Rider? Skills may vary depending on the need Knowledge in engineering, operations, local gov t, budgeting, etc. Credibility with local road and other agencies Good interpersonal and written communication skills Active in professional associations Comfortable with public speaking Relationship builder Flexibility Who has safety circuit riders? No. Plains TTAP So. Plains TTAP Plus Puerto Rico Who has safety circuit riders? SCRs come and go In 2008-2009, 11 additional states had SCRs Number varies depending on funding, state focus on safety initiatives, etc. Today, 18 LTAP/TTAPs have SCRs Located throughout the U.S. Perform a number of different functions including training, support, research, etc. Some are contractors, some are LTAP staff What does a safety circuit rider do? A number of different activities Serve local agencies as an on-call resource Training, workshops, outreach, knowledge resource, research, etc. Champion safety at the local road level Safety audits/assessments, countermeasure identification, etc. Be active in associations, attend meetings, etc. 3
Specific training this can run the gamut ADA/Accessibility Requirements Crash Investigation/ Reconstruction Equipment and Worker Safety Flagger Training Intersection Safety Low-Cost Safety Solutions Older Road User Issues Pavement Markings Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Risk Management/Tort Liability Road Safety Audits/ Assessments Road Safety Fundamentals Roadside Safety Safety-related Software Traffic Calming Traffic Engineering Fundamentals Traffic Signal Basics Traffic Signing/MUTCD Walkable Communities Work Zone Safety Provide on-site, on-call training as requested Plan, develop, and facilitate safety-related conferences Lead Road Safety Audits/Assessments Provide presentations at various association meetings; APWA, ICEA, etc. Develop and present workshops on new issues as needed Perform and contribute to various research efforts Provide technical advice and assistance upon request Participate in local safety initiatives/ activities Provide low-cost training City and county staff On-site, on-call Flagger training Signs and pavement markings Work zone safety Roadside safety 4
Plan, develop and facilitate workshops and conferences Local Road Safety Workshops Statewide workshops to provide current information for improving safety on local agencies' roads and streets Coordinate agenda development, speakers and content, materials, on-site activities Workzone Safety Workshops Statewide DOT-led workshops on workzone traffic control and safety training Coordination and event evaluation/report Develop and present specialized workshops on new/emerging and existing issues and topics Traffic Control for Incident Management training for law enforcement on traffic control for incidents MUTCD Signing Review provide overview on signing, requirements, compliance dates, etc. Lead road safety audits/assessments Receive agency requests Compile and review crash data to identify locations or patterns of concern Assemble review team Conduct field visits Develop and document suggested improvements to address issues observed Provide presentations at various meetings, such as: Low cost safety solutions Minimum retroreflectivity standards Overview of Roadside Design Guide MUTCD changes Mitigation for safety concerns on low volume, unpaved rural roads Specific research project findings/results What Safety Circuit Riders do Images: Tom Stoner 5
Identify and conduct research to meet the needs of local road agencies Low Volume Road Pavement Marking Removal Traffic Sign Effectiveness, Installation, and Removal Guidance Development of Iowa Road Safety Audit or Assessment (RSA) Guidelines Best Practices for Low-Cost Safety Improvements on Iowa s Local Roads Analysis of Safety Benefits for Shielding of Bridge Piers Evaluation of Rumble Stripes on Low-Volume Rural Roads in Iowa Provide technical assistance and advice on request Local agency staff do not always have the time to track down safety-related information Serve as on-call resource to do the legwork and obtain information of interest Provide advice on prospective countermeasures and treatments to address issues Participate in local safety initiatives Multidisciplinary Safety Teams Statewide Traffic Records Coordinating Committee High 5 Rural Traffic Safety Project Presentations to local elected officials, road officials and staff on their roles in highway safety Assistance in applying for funds Assistance with retroreflectivity management Assistance in development of local road safety plans 6
Measures of Effectiveness How do we know if the SCR is effective? Evaluation and feedback from training and workshop sessions Surveys of agency needs and training preferences Impacts of efforts on safety E.g. crash reductions following implementation of safety audit/assessment recommendations Starting an SCR Program Critical must be demand and support for the service Demand Need for safety-related technical assistance and training Frequent safety-related requests to LTAP/ TTAP center Generated by public in response to real or perceived safety problems Starting an SCR Program cont d Support Financial staffing (full or part time), travel, training materials, equipment, etc. Institutional - from the State DOT and other partners (counties, law enforcement, etc.) LTAP internal recognition of need for a dedicated position Benefits Dedicated contact focused on safety Foster safety at the local level Assist in identifying and addressing issues On-call resource available when needed for training, workshops, information, etc. Multidisciplinary collaboration and coordination bring together the four E s 7
Challenges Funding when money is short, training is the first thing cut Buy in and relationships developed can be lost Local agency turnover constant need to promote SCR as a resource Not everyone knows about the program Staying up to date on changing technologies, countermeasures, etc. Requires attentiveness to new and emerging trends, treatments, etc. Challenges cont d Time needed to develop training materials Do not perform duties of agencies or consultants Can make recommendations, but cannot help agencies implement recommendations Scheduling and logistics Workshops and trainings can vary seasonally Funding Sources can vary depending on state Iowa SCR funding: Iowa Department of Transportation Funding, programs, research Governor s Traffic Safety Bureau Funding, staff assistance and support Federal Highway Administration Funding, resources and materials Conclusions SCRs are focused on providing safetyrelated information, training and support to local agencies Address local agency needs for safety expertise Requires a variety of skills ranging from engineering background to comfort with presentations 8
Conclusions cont d SCRs conduct a variety of activities Serve local agencies through training, outreach, knowledge resource, etc. Conduct research focused on addressing local issues and needs Effectiveness of position measured by evaluations and feedback, agency surveys, etc. Demand, need and funding must be present to start and sustain a program Conclusions cont d Benefits of SCRs include a focused safety resource for local agencies, flexibility to meet training needs and collaboration Challenges include funding, effectively promoting the SCR as a resource, and remaining up-to-date on emerging issues, countermeasures, etc. Questions? David Veneziano Safety Circuit Rider Iowa LTAP 515-294-5480 dvenez@iastate.edu 9