MINIMUM RESOURCES REQUIRED FOR PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION, GOAL SETTING, AND PROGRAM EVALUATION

The minimum resources needed to use accident statistics and other data effectively for highway safety program administration are directly related to the problem identification, goal setting, and evaluation tasks outlined in the Highway Safety Program. The problem identification process involves the following steps: identification of data sources and collection of data; collection of normalizing data; analysis of data; development of the problem identification report; and ranking of identified problems. Each of these steps is discussed briefly. The first step in the goal-setting process is to establish initial goals and objectives for each problem area identified. The second step is to combine the goals for the individual problem area into overall goals for the highway safety programs. Various approaches to program evaluation are described. Program evaluation requires experimental design and data processing skills. State program evaluation includes a general review and program summary emphasizing accomplishments, particularly those of innovative and impact projects.