Safety Focused Decision Making 

Guide Training

Webinar Presentation

September 2013

Publication Number: FHWA-SA-13-035
Webinar Agenda

• Introduction 

• Safety Focused Decision Making Framework Overview 

• Safety Focused Decision Making using Safety Planning Tools 

• Review of Safety Focused Decisions Making Framework Phases

• Questions and Group Discussion
Introduction

• The “Tools, Practices, and Training for System Wide Safety 

Impact Prediction Project” was commissioned to analyze the use 

of currently available safety planning tools

• The end product,

the Safety Focused 

Decision Making 

Guide, was informed 

by four related 

research endeavors 

concerned with 

safety planning tools

(depicted to the 

right)
Safety Focused Decision Making 

Framework Overview 
• A number of 

nationally 

available safety 

analysis tools 

currently exist to 

support roadway 

safety 

performance 

planning and 

decision making

• The 

representative 

list of tools in the 

table have been 

directly 

supported by 

FHWA

Safety Focused Decision Making using 

Safety Planning Tools 

Safety Planning Tool Links:

CMF - http://www.cmfclearinghouse.org/

GIS – http://www.gis.fhwa.dot.gov/

HSM – http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/hsm/

SafetyAnalyst – http://www.safetyanalyst.org/

Systemic - http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/systemic/index.htm
Identify Potential 

Projects and Programs

Identifying the right projects and programs to undertake at the appropriate times is a 

necessary component to improving transportation safety
Narrow and Select Mix of 

Projects and Programs 

Using a formal prioritization process to select the projects/programs most important to 

complete in the short and longer term is the basis of an effective planning environment

http://www.atlantaregional.com/plan2040
Predict Safety Outcomes 

of Projects & Programs 

FHWA encourages states and MPOs to take a holistic approach to safety planning and 

begin using available tools to predict outcomes at the programmatic level

http://savemolives.com/documents/Blueprint-2012-2016.pdf
Implement Projects and 

Programs 

It is necessary to develop a detailed implementation plan that explicitly defines timelines, 

budget, performance measures, and roles/responsibilities to achieve desired outcomes

http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/hsip/tsp/fhwahep09043/ 
Achieve State and Local 

Safety Targets 

Once projects/programs are underway, states and MPOs with strong performance 

management frameworks track progress toward achieving their goals and intended safety 

outcomes through the use of reporting tools such as performance dashboards

https://apps.dot.state.nc.us/dot/dashboard/default.aspx
Continuous Program 

Improvement Cycle 

Data-driven decision making within a performance management framework is something 

that has become increasingly important in today’s transportation environment
Questions and Group Discussion

Discussion Prompts:

• What safety planning tools, 

practices, and training work 

well for you?

• How have you overcome 

challenges related to either 

the application of available 

tools or established safety 

planning processes?

• How are best practices 

shared with your peers?