SAFETY - AN IMPORTANT RESPONSIBILITY

The article discusses the question of how the potential safety contribution of a project is factored into the resource allocation process, and how the safety contribution of the completed project is measured. The proposal for a new federal-aid highway program by the U.S. Department of transportation is discussed. It is noted that improving the accident reporting system should be a major objective in many jurisdictions. It is pointed out that the transportation engineer may have to take the lead in efforts to improve the accident reporting system. Areas of focus for the 1990s are noted, and include the reduction of the number and severity of ran-off-the-road, fixed object, and rollover accidents. Current developments that make this possible are noted.