SEMCOG Traffic Safety Task Force
Southeast Michigan Council of GovernmentsLocation unavailable
The second meeting of the Traffic Safety Task Force to guide the development of a new Southeast Michigan Traffic Safety Plan.
Check the source website for additional information
Reporting
Edited and summarized by the Detroit - MI Documenters Team
FHWA presents Safe System approach to traffic fatalities, and people prioritize accessible infrastructure for all.
@SEMCOG’s Traffic Safety Task Force was created to guide the development of a new Southeast Michigan Traffic Safety Plan.
This is the second meeting of several they will hold throughout 2022 and 2023.
The vision of the task force is to identify key safety needs, guide investment decisions to reduce fatalities and injuries on roadways for all road users, and expand/enhance network connectivity in the SE Michigan region
If you are interested in attending the meeting today, you can register here: https://bit.ly/3vNjpdJ
Once submitting your name and email, you will receive a link to attend the meeting virtually.
Jenya Ambramovich is leading the meeting today. Members of the Task Force and attendees are introducing themselves now. https://t.co/QSgvk0WbPx
45 people are in attendance today. A handful of counties are represented here today including Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Livingston, Washtenaw and Monroe.
Based on the list of attendees, it appears there are only two people representing public safety (police/fire).
Abramovich provided a brief overview of the task force and takeaways from the kickoff meeting in February. https://t.co/1m2X2w6BZ6
William Miller, Chair of the Task Force and Oakland County Commissioner, provided a legislative update. This included legislation related to distracted driving, moving over for lights and sirens and automated roadways
Miller also discussed their “Walk Bike Drive Safe” campaign that focuses on traffic safety in work zones. https://t.co/n1KA7SobWq
Brandy Solak with the Federal Highway Administration is now presenting on a“Safe Systems Approach” which is a new approach to transportation safety in the United States.
The Safe System approaches traffic fatalities as a public health crisis that affects all road users https://t.co/kfOyRXYnJV
Although this is a new approach to traffic safety in the United States, other countries have successfully adopted similar strategies. Road fatalities decreased dramatically in the Netherlands after the approach was adopted in 1994 https://t.co/BHczRhv2xV
As evidenced below, the number of road fatalities in the United States each year is significant https://t.co/xhvjPnz70i
The goal of the Safe System approach is to eliminate death and injury by accommodating human mistake and keeping bodily impact to a minimum https://t.co/KwJksuLE8Q
Here is a flyer that provides additional context about the principles and elements. https://bit.ly/39JUm2H
The ultimate goal of Safe Systems is to reduce death and serious injury on roadways to zero by anticipating human error and designing roadways to reduce the opportunity for impact or collision.
Designing roadways to accommodate every user is key. This looks like bike lanes separating vehicular traffic from bicyclists. Or the below intersection designs https://t.co/9as6YKliFx
Safe Systems resources through the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) ⬇️ https://t.co/lAYCu0roPM
Here is a hub of information about pedestrian safety: https://highways.dot.gov/pedestrian-safety-summit/materials
Note: There is a plethora of information available online. I’m actually surprised by the volume of information resources I’ve been able to locate in 2 minutes 🤯
In response to Carl Malysz of Lincoln Park DDA/EDC, Alex Bourgeau, Manager of Modeling and Mobility at SEMCOG, discussed ways to identify traffic issues in local communities which included road safety audits and collaborative efforts such as this task force
Todd Scott, Executive Director @DetroitGreenway , suggested not funding mobility projects that don’t incorporate the Safe Systems model.
Now moving into the next activity which is a discussion about regional priorities under the five elements of the Safe Systems model. https://t.co/lOjUaHUntk
They’re going to run a poll so meeting participants can choose which priority they think adequately addresses each of the elements.
Regional priorities for safer vehicles. Again, attendees are asked to select which priority best fits the elements of the Safe Systems strategy. https://t.co/gI7YVEZFzw
Results ⬇️
48% chose coordination with auto manufacturers and industry partners.
27% chose preparing communities for connected and autonomous vehicles. https://t.co/4NHRwyzLQG
A handful of attendees have discussed the importance of coordination with the auto industry to ensure people know how new technology works and ensuring road design makes sense with emerging technology.
Ambramovich said the challenge is the culture of caring about everyone else on the road.
75% of participants chose accessible design and continuous infrastructure that accommodates all travel modes and users https://t.co/lSt8pjJoqy
In the chat, Solak (FHWA) said “new vehicles and technology may solve some of our problems, and they also may add new crashes for us to deal with.”
Ambramovich provided examples of how these priorities could be incorporated into a regional strategy including a “move over” campaign, improving accident clearing processes, etc.
Results for post-crash care priorities ⬇️
50% chose maintaining safe environments near roadway incidents and first responders https://t.co/kkIRYskioT
Looking ahead they’re asking for input about a successful safety project in participants’ communities.
The next task force meeting is August 12th at 10:00am. Discussion topics include safety performance measures, targeted safety efforts, and speed!
This concludes the SEMCOG Traffic Safety Task Force meeting on Friday, May 6th, 2022.
For more meeting coverage, check out http://Documenters.org 🎉
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Agency Information
Southeast Michigan Council of Governments
The Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) supports local planning through its technical, data, and intergovernmental resources. The work SEMCOG does improves the quality of the region’s water, makes the transportation system safer and more efficient, revitalizes communities, and spurs economic development.