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                Maine Integrates its SHSP with Other State Plans and Programs
**Publication Year:** 
            2014
    
        The Maine practice is discussed after the following introduction about SHSP integration.

**Other states in this SHSP Integration Noteworthy Practices series: DE, ID, MD, ND, WA**

Introduction to SHSP Integration

The Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP) is a statewide-coordinated safety plan that provides a comprehensive framework for reducing the number of deaths and serious injuries on all public roads. In each State, the SHSP identifies the State's safety goals, objectives and key emphasis areas. It is intended to serve as an ‘umbrella’ plan that is integrated into other State transportation plans and guides the State's roadway safety investment decisions.

Integration Defined

Integration is the act of bringing together or incorporating various parts into a whole. Integration is relevant and important to a State's planning process because every State has numerous transportation plans; each one potentially addressing safety in a different way. The SHSP is the mechanism to bring these safety “parts” together to form a consistent and “whole” safety program for the State.

The Purpose and Benefits of Integration

The purpose of integration is to coordinate and focus the State's roadway safety efforts to maximize the State's ability to save lives.

Through integration, the safety needs of the State can be addressed more strategically and resources can be shared more effectively. As illustrated in Figure 1, integration encourages State partners to strive toward common goals, collectively implement appropriate strategies and actions, share resources to meet or exceed the State's goals and objectives, and most importantly to save lives.

"Image shows three boxes pointing to one circle. The three boxes are above the circle. From right to left, the boxes read:  'Collective Action,' 'Common Goal(s),' and 'Leveraged Resources.' The circle reads 'Lives Saved.' The figure represents an integration process that encourages State partners to strive toward common goals, collectively implement appropriate strategies and actions, share resources to meet or exceed the State's goals and objectives, and most importantly, to save lives."

Other potential integration benefits include:

The use of consistent data and analysis methods.
	Improved allocation of resources to more effectively produce safety improvements.
	Improvements to safety culture across State, regional, and local agencies.
	A reduction in the administrative burden on States and local agencies.Integration of Plans and Processes

State transportation plans and programs that the SHSP should be integrated with include the Statewide Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP), Statewide Transportation Improvement Plan (STIP), State Highway Safety Improvement Programs (HSIPs), the Commercial Vehicle Safety Plan (CVSP), the Highway Safety Plan (HSP) Metropolitan Transportation Plans (TIPs), and various modal and regional transportation plans. The relationship of these plans is illustrated in Figure 2.

"The image is a work flow that shows the various state transportation plans and programs that the SHSP should be integrated with. These include the Statewide Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP), Statewide Transportation Improvement Plan (STIP), State Highway Safety Improvement Programs (HSIPs), the Commercial Vehicle Safety Plan (CVSP), the Highway Safety Plan (HSP) Metropolitan Transportation Plans (TIPs), and various modal and regional transportation plans."

An integrated SHSP positions the State DOT and its safety partners to collectively address the State's safety challenges on all public roads through coordination and consistency among with the following State and regional plans and programs:

**LRTPs** to promote a long-range vision that incorporates safety priorities.
	**HSIP** projects to be consistent with the SHSP emphasis areas and strategies.
	**STIPS/TIPS** to align programming of projects with SHSP strategies and countermeasures.
	**CVSPs** to facilitate exchange and collaboration between the commercial motor vehicle safety community and the broader safety community.
	**HSPs** to ensure a consistent, data-driven approach to improving highway safety, especially in SHSP emphasis areas.In addition, the SHSP should integrate with city and county planning processes to ensure consideration of safety concerns on all road types.

SHSP Integration Indicators

Indicators that the SHSP and other transportation plans and processes are integrated include the following:

Other transportation plans incorporate elements of the SHSP and include consistent and supporting safety goals, performance measures, objectives, and strategies.
	The priorities and goals of other transportation programs and plans are considered when developing the SHSP.
	Safety partners have access to and use of common safety data, analysis, and methods for determining safety priorities.
	The SHSP is developed with sustained input from disciplines and agencies representing the 4Es of safety (engineering, enforcement, education, and emergency medical services).
	Safety partners assist in the implementation of SHSP strategies.
	SHSP stakeholders and experts are included in other transportation planning processes.
	SHSP priorities and strategies are considered in project prioritization and programming.
	Various sources of funding are used to achieve safety goals.
	Progress towards safety goals is measured jointly and regularly.Maine

Background

The Maine SHSP brings together many state agencies pursuing traffic safety interests plus other safety advocates. Together they address Maine's leading traffic safety concerns in a coordinated way to maximize effectiveness and efficiency of achieving improvements in target areas.

SHSP Integration Practices

Collaborative Development

The Maine Department of Transportation (DOT) and Department of Public Safety's Bureau of Highway Safety (BHS) led an update of the SHSP in 2012. The 2012 SHSP identifies eight lead focus areas and six additional strategic areas. Champions from State, local and nonprofit agencies are identified for each of the 14 focus areas. A particular emphasis was placed on identifying local law enforcement champions to encourage local engagement in the plan. Champions are responsible for regularly convening working groups, reviewing data, and developing objectives and strategies, leading the implementation of strategies, and reporting progress. Strategies to bring about safety improvement include Engineering, Enforcement, Education/Public Outreach, and Emergency Services.

Common Goals, Strategies, and Measures

Maine's SHSP is closely tied to the Highway Safety Plan (HSP). The BHS and Maine DOT's Office of Safety work closely together to ensure that their efforts are coordinated. As a result, the goals expressed in the SHSP and HSP are common goals arrived at from reviewing the same data. Performance measures and targets included in the SHSP for behavioral emphasis areas are drawn from those defined in the HSP.

Coordinated Implementation

The Maine Transportation Safety Coalition (MTSC) provides another channel for coordinating safety efforts. Members of the coalition meet monthly to review data and coordinate efforts towards common goals. The MTSC helps to promote and integrate SHSP goals and strategies across the Maine safety community. The MTSC also helps to ensure that the major safety agencies in Maine are all communicating the same message about highway safety.

Outreach and Communication

The partnerships among Maine's safety agencies are reinforced through consistent communication and collaboration. Individuals in key safety agencies have made the effort to build personal relationships over time. Mechanisms like the SHSP update, the implementation process and the MTSC help to reinforce those personal relationships that are vital for ensuring that safety efforts are coordinated throughout the State.

Key Accomplishments

Identified champions from State, local, and nonprofit agencies to lead emphasis area strategy development and implementation
	Closely aligned goals and performance measures in the SHSP with those in the Highway Safety Plan (HSP)
	Promoted the SHSP through the Maine Transportation Safety CoalitionSee these other SHSP Integration Noteworthy Practices:

Delaware
	Idaho
	Maryland
	North Dakota
	Washington

Contact

Duane Brunell
Maine Department of Transportation
(207) 624-3278Duane.Brunell@maine.gov U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

**Federal Highway Administration**

1200 NEW JERSEY AVENUE, SE

WASHINGTON, DC 20590

202-366-4000Subscribe to email updates
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