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                FHWA Arizona Division Office Uses Technology Transfer (T2) Funds to Create Local Agency Grant Program
**Publication Year:** 
            2012
    
        Roadway Safety Issue, Problem, or Gap:

Roadway departures account for approximately half of all fatal crashes nationwide. Pavement edge drop-off has been linked to many serious and fatal roadway departure crashes; drivers who leave the roadway may overcompensate by steering too hard, causing a vehicle to fishtail, swerve into another lane, or completely leave the roadway. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) advocates installing Safety EdgeTM to mitigate vertical drop-offs. In Arizona, most local agencies did not have the expertise or equipment to include Safety EdgeTM on their roadway projects. To address this gap, the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) Local Transportation Assistance Program (LTAP) worked with the FHWA Arizona Division Office to create a program to provide the Safety EdgeTM equipment and training to local agencies.

Description of Practice

*I think part of it (Local Agency Safety EdgeTM Grant Program) was time-consuming because we were learning the best ways to structure the program as we go, but in the end I felt it was definitely worth it, because the program was so successful! Our program had 15 devices, all of which but two have been given to agencies, and more Tribes are interested.*

Kelly LaRosa, FHWA Arizona Division

The FHWA Arizona Division Office used Technology Transfer (T2) funds from the Division of Field Service Regional Offices to purchase fifteen Safety EdgeTM Shoe Devices exclusively for local agencies, allowing Safety EdgeTM to be more broadly implemented throughout the state. Agencies submit an application to receive a Safety EdgeTM Shoe Device and training.

The Division Office and the ADOT-LTAP actively promoted Safety EdgeTM at industry meetings/conferences and at MPO and Council of Government meetings. ADOT LTAP also built up its internal capacity by participating in Safety EdgeTM Train-the-Trainer events.

Key Accomplishments and Results:

Increased knowledge and awareness about Safety EdgeTM at local agencies, including among Tribes.
	Increased use of Safety EdgeTM in new paving projects. Contractors are marketing Safety EdgeTM to their clients, offering it with paving projects, and support the safety benefits.
	Encouraged innovation applying the technology. Some local agencies have incorporated Safety EdgeTM with a thickened edge design detail. One agency, Santa Cruz County, is pursuing a shoulder widening project and adding Safety EdgeTM by milling the existing roadway a few feet."Photograph of a paving crew laying down a coat of asphalt"Figure 1: Maricopa County, AZ Note

Contact

Brian Hurst
Tennessee Department of Transportation
615-741-2208Brian.Hurst@tn.gov U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

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