Rhode Island

Highway Safety Improvement Program

2016 Annual Report

Prepared by: RI
ii

Disclaimer

Protection of Data from Discovery & Admission into Evidence

23 U.S.C. 148(h)(4) states “Notwithstanding any other provision of law, reports, surveys, schedules, 

lists, or data compiled or collected for any purpose relating to this section [HSIP], shall not be 

subject to discovery or admitted into evidence in a Federal or State court proceeding or considered 

for other purposes in any action for damages arising from any occurrence at a location identified or 

addressed in the reports, surveys, schedules, lists, or other data.” 

23 U.S.C. 409 states “Notwithstanding any other provision of law, reports, surveys, schedules, lists, 

or data compiled or collected for the purpose of identifying, evaluating, or planning the safety 

enhancement of potential accident sites, hazardous roadway conditions, or railway-highway 

crossings, pursuant to sections 130, 144, and 148 of this title or for the purpose of developing any 

highway safety construction improvement project which may be implemented utilizing Federal-aid 

highway funds shall not be subject to discovery or admitted into evidence in a Federal or State 

court proceeding or considered for other purposes in any action for damages arising from any 

occurrence at a location mentioned or addressed in such reports, surveys, schedules, lists, or data.”
iii

Table of Contents

Disclaimer...................................................................................................................................................... ii

Executive Summary....................................................................................................................................... 1

Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 2

Program Structure ........................................................................................................................................ 2

Program Administration ........................................................................................................................... 2

Program Methodology.............................................................................................................................. 5

Progress in Implementing Projects............................................................................................................. 13

Funds Programmed............................................................................................................................. 13

General Listing of Projects.................................................................................................................. 16

Progress in Achieving Safety Performance Targets .................................................................................... 19

Overview of General Safety Trends........................................................................................................ 19

Application of Special Rules.................................................................................................................... 32

Assessment of the Effectiveness of the Improvements (Program Evaluation) ..........................................34

SHSP Emphasis Areas.............................................................................................................................. 37

Groups of similar project types............................................................................................................... 41

Systemic Treatments............................................................................................................................... 42

Project Evaluation....................................................................................................................................... 45

Glossary....................................................................................................................................................... 48
2016 Rhode Island Highway Safety Improvement Program

1

Executive Summary

Since 2010, The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) has followed the Highway Safety 

Manual process to guide their HSIP. For network screening, RIDOT currently uses societal crash cost 

ranking using the KABCO scale to identify top crash site-specific locations as well as systemic type issues 

statewide. The systemic approach is a risk based approach that examines roadway types that are 

susceptible to a specific crash type (roadway departure, intersection) and identified through high-level 

queries. RIDOT reviews the top crash lists/types to develop and fine tune a plan of incorporating safety 

improvements through new and existing spot location/systemic projects.

The HSIP Committee is made up of safety stakeholders, including RIDOT, FHWA, and RIDOT HSIP 

Engineering Support Services consultant that meets monthly to develop the HSIP program, approve HSIP 

projects and requests for projects, and discuss other safety related issues. The HSIP committee uses a 

data-driven approach to making any safety related decision and has developed a ranking form based on 

safety benefits, feasibility and policy conformance to be used whenever HSIP funds are considered for a 

project. Not only does the HSIP committee review internal requests for funds, but also requests that 

come in from the local municipalities.

As part of the HSIP project ranking form, points are given for conducting a Road Safety Assessment (RSA) 

at the location under consideration for safety improvements. The RSA’s follow federal RSA guidelines 

and RI has embraced the usefulness of the RSA process. The RSA process also promotes involvement 

from stakeholders outside of RIDOT and strengthens relationships between RIDOT and participating 

municipalities. These strengthening relationships will prove to be imperative for sharing/updating 

roadway data to allow for predictive network screening and state-specific SPF development in the 

future.

The collection of the MIRE elements will also assist with the selection of systemic project locations and 

countermeasures with the risk for specific crash types (i.e. Curves). RIDOT also uses FHWA low-cost 

proven safety countermeasures, NCHRP, FHWA reports, and other safety documents to assist with 

countermeasure identification. Again, the MIRE data collection and sharing with municipalities will 

improve the overall HSIP program as it will provide the municipalities additional tools to conduct RSA’s 

and submit strong safety project candidates for HSIP committee review and approval. RIDOT is 

expected to begin implementation of SPF's for FY17 once the MIRE data is processed.

RIDOT prioritizes projects based on the ranking scores and how the improvements fit into the roadway 

departure, local safety, safety corridor, intersections, interchanges, and vulnerable users 

programs. Once completed, the projects are evaluated to determine the safety effectiveness of the 

safety improvements. The resulting data will assist RIDOT with developing their own crash modification 

factors.
2016 Rhode Island Highway Safety Improvement Program

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RIDOT’s HSIP program has been ever-evolving since 2010, as other RIDOT programs, sections, and 

administrations have changed. Most recently, RIDOT’s administration has placed a renewed focus on 

upgrading and maintaining our bridges and roads. As with any new administration, it takes time and 

adjustments to conduct business in a new and exciting way. RIDOT now has a 10-year plan for all of its 

core programs (traffic/safety, road, and bridge) that budgets projects based on focus areas. The 

emphasis on bridges and roads does not mean safety projects are ignored. Safety will always be a 

critical and necessary program, and while available funding may fluctuate in any given year, RIDOT is 

collecting the data and possessing the tools to make more informed data-driven decisions to spend 

safety dollars in the most beneficial way to the State.

Introduction

The Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) is a core Federal-aid program 

with the purpose of achieving a significant reduction in fatalities and serious 

injuries on all public roads. As per 23 U.S.C. 148(h) and 23 CFR 924.15, States are 

required to report annually on the progress being made to advance HSIP 

implementation and evaluation efforts. The format of this report is consistent 

with the HSIP MAP-21 Reporting Guidance dated February 13, 2013 and consists 

of four sections: program structure, progress in implementing HSIP projects, 

progress in achieving safety performance targets, and assessment of the 

effectiveness of the improvements. 

Program Structure

Program Administration

How are Highway Safety Improvement Program funds allocated in a State? 

Central

Describe how local roads are addressed as part of Highway Safety Improvement Program.

Network Screening - Current: On an annual basis, the RIDOT identifies the roadway facilities exhibiting 

the most severe safety needs based on crash severity and frequency/exposure. Through the RIDOT’s 

HSIP, ALL public roads are addressed, focusing on fatal and serious injury crashes in line with their SHSP 

and the performance measures set forth in MAP-21 and the FAST Act. Most of the State-owned 

roadway network and some of the local roadways are mapped to a Linear Referencing System; however, 

the majority of the local roadways is not referenced and is manually reviewed to ensure their inclusion 

into the HSIP process. 
2016 Rhode Island Highway Safety Improvement Program

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Network Screening - Proposed: RIDOT is currently undergoing a large data collection effort to obtain all 

of the Model Inventory of Roadway Data Elements (MIRE), which included roadway, traffic, and other 

data needed to assist the RIDOT make the most efficient decisions where to allocate safety funds and 

resources. This data is being collected on ALL state and locally owned roadways. The RIDOT also is 

working on developing a data maintenance effort to ensure all data collected is updated on a timely 

basis. Also, RIDOT is working on a data-sharing effort to allow municipalities to use and update data on 

locally-owned facilities. This effort is anticipated to be completed in early 2017.

Diagnosis and Implementation: The RIDOT has developed a Local Safety Program to work with 

municipalities to identify and mitigate crash issues on locally-maintained roadways. RIDOT has 

developed a process for locals to request a safety improvement with the intent for locals to perform the 

"planning" step from the HSIP process. RIDOT will then determine if the improvement is eligible for HSIP 

funds and distribute the funds needed to the locals so they can administer the construction of the 

improvements. As part of this program, the RIDOT will provide the needed training and resources to 

assist the locals in the planning process with the intent for locals to perform the "planning" step 

independently. Initially, $1,000,000 of funding will be allotted annually for local projects that will be 

ranked and awarded separately from state initiated projects. Currently, there is a pilot project that 

includes five (5) participating municipalities with projects scheduled for reimbursement in FY17/18. 

Identify which internal partners are involved with Highway Safety Improvement Program planning. 

Design

Planning

Operations

Governors Highway Safety Office

Other-GIS Analysts

Briefly describe coordination with internal partners. 

The RIDOT works internally with transportation planners (Statewide Planning), RIDOT design 

engineers, RIDOT GIS analysts, RIDOT safety engineers, RIDOT and OHS highway safety program 

coordinators and RIDOT operations staff as part of the entire HSIP process, including the 

identification of critical locations and the selection of appropriate countermeasures/ 

improvements. These partners are involved in Road Safety Assessments (RSAs) that were 

performed at many of these locations to facilitate this multidiscipline approach.
2016 Rhode Island Highway Safety Improvement Program

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RIDOT also houses the Office of Highway Safety where the HSIP, HSP, and SHSP are all 

developed in a coordinated effort focused on developing consistent safety goals. Safety 

initiatives are now implemented in a more integrated and multi-disciplinary manner, providing 

RIDOT with more flexibility to direct resources to address particular safety needs. As part of the 

FAST Act, the RIDOT and OHS along with RI's Office of Performance Management will 

collectively develop performance measures and targets for FY17.

Identify which external partners are involved with Highway Safety Improvement Program planning. 

Metropolitan Planning Organizations

Governors Highway Safety Office

Local Government Association

Identify any program administration practices used to implement the HSIP that have changed since 

the last reporting period.

Multi-disciplinary HSIP steering committee

Describe any other aspects of Highway Safety Improvement Program Administration on which you 

would like to elaborate.

Beginning in 2015 and continuing in 2016, the RIDOT performs a semi-annual review of safety 

improvement proposals for selection. Local governments and RIDOT staff submit engineering 

studies of potential safety projects. These safety proposals are evaluated to focus limited 

resources on areas of greatest need. HSIP funds are available for locations or corridors where a 

known 'substantive safety' problem exists as indicated by location specific data on severe 

crashes or where a risk based analysis has demonstrated the need for systemic 

countermeasures. All HSIP expenditures require that a specific project action can produce a 

measureable and significant reduction in the number or risk of severe crashes. To achieve the 

maximum benefit, the focus of the program is on cost effective use of the funds allocated for 

safety improvements. RIDOT's HSIP project selection methods prioritize safety proposals that 

align with the SHSP, address roadways with actual or potential for higher deaths and serious 

injuries, and target the underlying safety issue.

The Multi-Disciplinary HSIP Selection Committee is made up of the HSIP Program Manager, 

FHWA Safety and Operations Engineer, and other RIDOT staff. The purpose of the committee is 

to review and select HSIP proposals for advancement. The HSIP PSC meets on a monthly basis. 

The selection committee also holds a separate meeting semi-annually to prioritize and

select submitted HSIP Proposals received and reviewed in the previous six month period
2016 Rhode Island Highway Safety Improvement Program

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RIDOT has 5 different “on-call” consultant contracts. The first on-call contract involves one 

consultant to perform the network screening, diagnosis, and countermeasure selection (HSIP 

On-Call Administration Consultant). This consultant will then develop conceptual improvement 

plans for RIDOT’s review. RIDOT then distributes all improvement projects to the other 4 on-call 

consultants, which are charged with advancing the conceptual plans to final design and 

construction. Once the improvements have been implemented, the first on-call consultant 

tracks these projects and develops safety effectiveness evaluations.

In 2016, RIDOT has developed a 10-year Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) that 

is revisited and updated annually. HSIP funded safety improvement projects included

in the TIP are provided by the HSIP Selection Committee. In the TIP, there is a mix of

site-specific and systemic safety improvement projects. There are also program

based projects that act as placeholders for future locations to be added to. As the

TIP is annually revisited, the safety projects are reviewed and edited by the HSIP

Selection Committee based on the current safety needs and received HSIP Project

Proposals. Safety projects may be adjusted in the TIP annually as long as they are

fiscally constrained.

Safety projects added to the TIP must demonstrate a projected safety benefit

that in sum meet annual goals set by RIDOT in order to meet its SHSP goal of 

50% reduction of fatalities and serious injuries by 2030. If by any means the

annual safety goal is not met for a given year, the safety projects included in the

TIP will be revised by the HSIP Selection Committee the following

year to increase the projected safety benefits to ensure the 2030 goal is still 

obtainable.

Projected safety benefits are provided by the HSIP Proposal forms. For safety

program placeholder projects, RIDOT uses national published crash modification 

factors to help predict the reduction in fatalities and injuries based on the type

of countermeasure deployed on a wide scale basis across the State to target

roadway facilities and users identified in the SHSP as emphasis area.

Program Methodology

Select the programs that are administered under the HSIP. 

Intersection Safe Corridor Roadway Departure

Low-Cost Spot Improvements Local Safety Other-Interchange 

Improvements

Other-Vulnerable Road Users
2016 Rhode Island Highway Safety Improvement Program

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Program: Intersection

Date of Program Methodology: 2/1/2016

 

What data types were used in the program methodology? 

Crashes Exposure Roadway

All crashes

Fatal and serious injury crashes 

only

Volume Functional classification

Other-Type of Traffic Control

Other-Sight Distance

Other-Speeds

Other-# of Lanes

What project identification methodology was used for this program? 

Relative severity index

Other-Crash Frequency - fatal and serious crashes only

Other-Facility risk factors and similar geometric types

Other-Right Angle/Broadside Crash Focus

Are local roads (non-state owned and operated) included or addressed in this program?

Yes

If yes, are local road projects identified using the same methodology as state roads?

Yes

How are highway safety improvement projects advanced for implementation?

Competitive application process

selection committee

Select the processes used to prioritize projects for implementation. For the methods selected, indicate 

the relative importance of each process in project prioritization. Enter either the weights or numerical 

rankings. If weights are entered, the sum must equal 100. If ranks are entered, indicate ties by giving 

both processes the same rank and skip the next highest rank (as an example: 1, 2, 2, 4).

Relative Weight in Scoring

Ranking based on B/C 15

Reduction in Fatalities and 

Injuries

15

Facility Risk Level (Based on 

Historical Fatalities and Injuries)

20

SHSP Emphasis Area 15

Project Feasibility 25
2016 Rhode Island Highway Safety Improvement Program

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Policy Conformance 10

Program: Safe Corridor

Date of Program Methodology: 4/19/2015

 

What data types were used in the program methodology? 

Crashes Exposure Roadway

All crashes

Fatal and serious injury crashes 

only

Traffic

Volume

Functional classification

Other-Transit Roadside features

Other-# Of Lanes

What project identification methodology was used for this program? 

Relative severity index

Other-Crash frequency - fatal and serious injury crashes only

Other-Facility risk factors/similar geometric types

Are local roads (non-state owned and operated) included or addressed in this program?

Yes

If yes, are local road projects identified using the same methodology as state roads?

Yes

How are highway safety improvement projects advanced for implementation?

selection committee

Select the processes used to prioritize projects for implementation. For the methods selected, indicate 

the relative importance of each process in project prioritization. Enter either the weights or numerical 

rankings. If weights are entered, the sum must equal 100. If ranks are entered, indicate ties by giving 

both processes the same rank and skip the next highest rank (as an example: 1, 2, 2, 4).

Relative Weight in Scoring

Ranking based on B/C 15

Reduction in fatalities and serious 

injuries

15

Facility risk level 20

SHSP emphasis area 15

Project feasibility 25

Policy conformance 10
2016 Rhode Island Highway Safety Improvement Program

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Program: Roadway Departure

Date of Program Methodology: 4/19/2015

 

What data types were used in the program methodology? 

Crashes Exposure Roadway

All crashes

Fatal and serious injury crashes 

only

Volume Median width

Horizontal curvature

Functional classification

Roadside features

Other-Roadway width

Other-Clear Zone

What project identification methodology was used for this program? 

Relative severity index

Other-Crash frequency - Fatal and serious crashes only

Other-Facility risk factors/similar geometric types

Are local roads (non-state owned and operated) included or addressed in this program?

Yes

If yes, are local road projects identified using the same methodology as state roads?

Yes

How are highway safety improvement projects advanced for implementation?

selection committee

Select the processes used to prioritize projects for implementation. For the methods selected, indicate 

the relative importance of each process in project prioritization. Enter either the weights or numerical 

rankings. If weights are entered, the sum must equal 100. If ranks are entered, indicate ties by giving 

both processes the same rank and skip the next highest rank (as an example: 1, 2, 2, 4).

Relative Weight in Scoring

Ranking based on B/C 15

Reduction in fatalities and 

injuries

15

Facility risk level 20

SHSP emphasis area 15

Project feasibility 25

Policy conformance 10
2016 Rhode Island Highway Safety Improvement Program

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Program: Low-Cost Spot Improvements

Date of Program Methodology: 10/1/2012

 

What data types were used in the program methodology? 

Crashes Exposure Roadway

All crashes Traffic

Volume

Other-Congestion

Other-Overlaps with all other 

HSIP programs

What project identification methodology was used for this program? 

Crash frequency

Crash rate

Other-Delay/Congestion

Are local roads (non-state owned and operated) included or addressed in this program?

Yes

If yes, are local road projects identified using the same methodology as state roads?

Yes

How are highway safety improvement projects advanced for implementation?

selection committee

Select the processes used to prioritize projects for implementation. For the methods selected, indicate 

the relative importance of each process in project prioritization. Enter either the weights or numerical 

rankings. If weights are entered, the sum must equal 100. If ranks are entered, indicate ties by giving 

both processes the same rank and skip the next highest rank (as an example: 1, 2, 2, 4).

Relative Weight in Scoring

Ranking based on B/C 50

Reduction in Delay/Congestion 50

Program: Local Safety

Date of Program Methodology: 4/19/2015

 

What data types were used in the program methodology? 

Crashes Exposure Roadway

All crashes

Fatal and serious injury crashes 

only

Volume Other-Overlaps with all other 

HSIP programs

What project identification methodology was used for this program? 
2016 Rhode Island Highway Safety Improvement Program

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Relative severity index

Other-Coordination with local municipalities

Are local roads (non-state owned and operated) included or addressed in this program?

Yes

If yes, are local road projects identified using the same methodology as state roads?

Yes

How are highway safety improvement projects advanced for implementation?

Competitive application process

selection committee

Select the processes used to prioritize projects for implementation. For the methods selected, indicate 

the relative importance of each process in project prioritization. Enter either the weights or numerical 

rankings. If weights are entered, the sum must equal 100. If ranks are entered, indicate ties by giving 

both processes the same rank and skip the next highest rank (as an example: 1, 2, 2, 4).

Relative Weight in Scoring

Ranking based on B/C 15

Reduction in fatalities and serious 

injuries

15

Facility risk level 20

SHSP emphasis area 15

Project feasibility 25

Policy conformance 10

Program: Other-Interchange Improvements

Date of Program Methodology: 4/19/2015

 

What data types were used in the program methodology? 

Crashes Exposure Roadway

All crashes

Fatal and serious injury crashes 

only

Traffic

Volume

Horizontal curvature

Other-Impaired and older drivers Other-Interchange geometry

What project identification methodology was used for this program? 

Relative severity index

Other-Frequency of wrong-way driving incidents

Are local roads (non-state owned and operated) included or addressed in this program?

No
2016 Rhode Island Highway Safety Improvement Program

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How are highway safety improvement projects advanced for implementation?

selection committee

Select the processes used to prioritize projects for implementation. For the methods selected, indicate 

the relative importance of each process in project prioritization. Enter either the weights or numerical 

rankings. If weights are entered, the sum must equal 100. If ranks are entered, indicate ties by giving 

both processes the same rank and skip the next highest rank (as an example: 1, 2, 2, 4).

Relative Weight in Scoring

Ranking based on B/C 15

Reduction in fatal and serious 

injury crashes

15

Facility risk level 20

SHSP emphasis area 15

Project feasibility 25

Policy conformance 10

Program: Other-Vulnerable Road Users

Date of Program Methodology: 8/1/2013

 

What data types were used in the program methodology? 

Crashes Exposure Roadway

All crashes

Fatal and serious injury crashes 

only

Traffic

Volume

Functional classification

Other-Roadway width

What project identification methodology was used for this program? 

Crash frequency

Other-Facility risk/similar type geometrics

Are local roads (non-state owned and operated) included or addressed in this program?

Yes

If yes, are local road projects identified using the same methodology as state roads?

Yes

How are highway safety improvement projects advanced for implementation?

selection committee

Select the processes used to prioritize projects for implementation. For the methods selected, indicate 

the relative importance of each process in project prioritization. Enter either the weights or numerical 
2016 Rhode Island Highway Safety Improvement Program

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rankings. If weights are entered, the sum must equal 100. If ranks are entered, indicate ties by giving 

both processes the same rank and skip the next highest rank (as an example: 1, 2, 2, 4).

Relative Weight in Scoring

Ranking based on B/C 15

Reduction in fatal and serious 

injury crashes

15

facility risk level 20

Project feasibility 25

Policy conformance 15

SHSP emphasis area 10

What proportion of highway safety improvement program funds address systemic improvements? 

17%

Highway safety improvement program funds are used to address which of the following systemic 

improvements?

Cable Median Barriers

Rumble Strips

Install/Improve Signing

Install/Improve Pavement Marking and/or Delineation

Upgrade Guard Rails

Clear Zone Improvements

Safety Edge

Add/Upgrade/Modify/Remove Traffic Signal

Other-Wrong-Way Driving

Other-Blunt End Terminal

Other-High Friction Surface Treatments

Other-Road Diets

What process is used to identify potential countermeasures? 

Engineering Study

Road Safety Assessment

Other-Crash Modification Clearninghouse

Other-NCHRP Report 500 Series
2016 Rhode Island Highway Safety Improvement Program

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Identify any program methodology practices used to implement the HSIP that have changed since the 

last reporting period.

Other-RIDOT continues to works towards implementation of the predictive method.

Other-RIDOT continues to work towards development of risk factors for systemic programs.

Describe any other aspects of the Highway Safety Improvement Program methodology on which you 

would like to elaborate. 

As stated in FY15's annual report, RIDOT wishes to use the predictive method to use a more sound, datadriven approach to allocating resources that results in fewer fatalities and serious injuries on the 

nation's roadways. The predictive method (Excess expected crash frequency using SPFs, EB adjustment,) 

combines crash, roadway inventory and traffic volume data to provide more reliable estimates of an 

existing or proposed roadway's expected safety performance, such as crash frequency and severity. To 

achieve this goal, RIDOT is currently undergoing a large data collection effort to obtain all of the Model 

Inventory of Roadway Data Elements (MIRE), which included roadway, traffic, and other data needed to 

assist the RIDOT make the most efficient decisions where to allocate safety funds and resources. The 

RIDOT also is working on developing a data maintenance effort to ensure all data collected is updated 

on a timely basis. RIDOT plans to begin using the predictive method in their HSIP methodology by 2017.

RIDOT developed a HSIP Program Manual. The purpose of this document is to describe RIDOT’s

processes for planning, implementing, and evaluating HSIP funded improvements and to describe

its relationship to other safety initiatives found in Rhode Island’s SHSP. This document not only helps

Rhode Island to demonstrate their own successes, but also serves as a mechanism for other states to

achieve improved highway safety.

Progress in Implementing Projects

Funds Programmed

Reporting period for Highway Safety Improvement Program funding.

Federal Fiscal Year

Enter the programmed and obligated funding for each applicable funding category.
2016 Rhode Island Highway Safety Improvement Program

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How much funding is programmed to local (non-state owned and operated) safety projects? 

$1,801,045.00

How much funding is obligated to local safety projects?

$1,801,045.00

How much funding is programmed to non-infrastructure safety projects? 

7 %

How much funding is obligated to non-infrastructure safety projects?

7 %

How much funding was transferred in to the HSIP from other core program areas during the reporting 

period?

$0.00

How much funding was transferred out of the HSIP to other core program areas during the reporting 

period?

$12,118,775.00

Funding Category Programmed* Obligated

HSIP (Section 148) $11,867,468.00 70 % $7,755,488.58 66 %

Penalty Transfer –

Section 164

$3,550,707.00 21 % $3,550,707.00 30 %

Other Federal-aid Funds 

(i.e. STP, NHPP)

$1,000,000.00 6 % $0.00 0 %

State and Local Funds $500,000.00 3 % $474,946.67 4 %

Totals $16,918,175.00 100% $11,781,142.25 100%
2016 Rhode Island Highway Safety Improvement Program

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In FY16, funds from FY 15 and FY16 were transferred out of MS3E and ZS30. This was requested by 

RIDOT to enable to department to obligate all limitation for FY16.

MS3E - $6,185,041.00

ZS30 - $5,933,734.00

Discuss impediments to obligating Highway Safety Improvement Program funds and plans to 

overcome this in the future.

RIDOT’s HSIP program has been ever-evolving since 2010, as other RIDOT programs, sections, and 

administrations have changed. Most recently, RIDOT’s administration has placed a renewed focus on 

upgrading and maintaining our bridges and roads. As with any new administration, it takes time and 

adjustments to conduct business in a new and exciting way. RIDOT now has a 10-year plan for all of its 

core programs (traffic/safety, road, and bridge) that budgets projects based on focus areas. The 

emphasis on bridges and roads does not mean safety projects are ignored. Safety will always be a 

critical and necessary program, and while available funding may fluctuate in any given year, RIDOT is 

collecting the data and possessing the tools to make more informed data-driven decisions to spend 

safety dollars in the most beneficial way to the State. The 10-year plan (aka STIP) identifies HSIP 

programmed projects for FY2017 - FY 2025 and will be included in the FY17 HSIP Annual Report. 

Describe any other aspects of the general Highway Safety Improvement Program implementation 

progress on which you would like to elaborate.

N/A
2016 Rhode Island Highway Safety Improvement Program

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General Listing of Projects

List each highway safety improvement project obligated during the reporting period. 

Project Improvement 

Category 

Output HSIP 

Cost

Total 

Cost

Fundin

g 

Catego

ry

Functional 

Classificati

on

AADT Spee

d

Roadwa

y 

Owners

hip

Relationship to SHSP

Emphasis 

Area

Strategy

High 

Hazard 

Mitigation

Intersection 

geometry 

Auxiliary lanes -

add left-turn lane

10 

Numb

ers

1500000 5232997.

26

HSIP 

(Sectio

n 148)

Urban 

Principal 

Arterial -

Other

3500

0

35 State 

Highway 

Agency

Intersecti

ons

Reduce 

Potential for 

Angle and 

Broadside 

Severe Cr

High 

Hazard 

Mitigation

Intersection 

traffic control 

Modify traffic 

signal timing -

left-turn phasing 

(permissive to 

protected-only)

1 

Numb

ers

125000 475000 HSIP 

(Sectio

n 148)

Urban 

Principal 

Arterial -

Other

2500

0

35 State 

Highway 

Agency

Intersecti

ons

Statewide 

Wrong-Way 

Driving 

Mitigation 

Contract 1

Interchange 

design 

Interchange 

design - other

25 

Numb

ers

275803.0

9

2528473.

85

HSIP 

(Sectio

n 148)

Urban 

Principal 

Arterial -

Interstate

1000

00

55 State 

Highway 

Agency

Wrong 

Way 

Driving

Reduce 

Potnetial for 

Wrong Way 

Driving

Statewide 

Destination 

Signing for 

Route 37 

and 78

Roadway signs 

and traffic 

control Roadway 

signs (including 

post) - new or 

updated

25 

Numb

ers

13000 213000 HSIP 

(Sectio

n 148)

Urban 

Principal 

Arterial -

Interstate

5000

0

50 State 

Highway 

Agency

Older 

Drivers

Enhance 

Roadway 

Delineation 

for Older 

Drivers
2016 Rhode Island Highway Safety Improvement Program

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Interchange 

Improveme

nts to US 

Route 1 at 

Route 37

Interchange 

design 

Acceleration / 

deceleration / 

merge lane

1 

Numb

ers

616323.7

3

616323.7

3

HSIP 

(Sectio

n 148)

Urban 

Principal 

Arterial -

Other 

Freeways 

and 

Expresswa

ys

3500

0

35 State 

Highway 

Agency

Intersecti

ons

Reconstruct

ion of Two 

Mile Corner

Intersection 

geometry 

Auxiliary lanes -

add left-turn lane

5 

Numb

ers

508106.8

6

7000000 HSIP 

(Sectio

n 148)

Urban 

Principal 

Arterial -

Other

3000

0

35 State 

Highway 

Agency

Intersecti

ons

Reduce 

Potential for 

Angle and 

Broadside 

Severe Cr

State 

Traffic 

Commissio

n Contract 

6

Pedestrians and 

bicyclists 

Miscellaneous 

pedestrians and 

bicyclists

5 

Numb

ers

231344.9

3

558500 HSIP 

(Sectio

n 148)

Urban 

Minor 

Arterial

2000

0

30 State 

Highway 

Agency

Pedestria

ns

Install/Enha

nce 

Pedestrian 

Crossing 

Facilities

HSIP OnCall 

Support 

Engineer 

Services

Noninfrastructure 

Transportation 

safety planning

3 

Numb

ers

900000 900000 Penalt

y 

Transf

er –

Sectio

n 164

0 0 All Areas Engineering 

Support for 

SHSP/HSIP 

Implementa

tion

Intersection 

Safety 

Improveme

nts to 

Aquidneck 

Aven

Intersection 

traffic control 

Modify traffic 

signal timing -

left-turn phasing 

(permissive to 

protected/permis

sive)

1 

Numb

ers

1000000 1000000 HSIP 

(Sectio

n 148)

Urban 

Minor 

Arterial

2000

0

35 State 

Highway 

Agency

Intersecti

ons

Reduce 

Potential for 

Angle and 

Broadside 

Severe Cr

Systemic 

Bridge End 

Roadside Barrier 

end treatments 

20 

Numb

1801045.

02

1801045.

02

Penalt

y 

Systemic 

project 

1500

0

35 State 

Highway 

Roadway 

Departure

Shield 

Roadside 
2016 Rhode Island Highway Safety Improvement Program

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Treatment 

Project 

Contract 1

(crash cushions, 

terminals)

ers Transf

er –

Sectio

n 164

that covers 

numerous 

functional 

classificait

ons.

Agency Hazards 

Unable to be 

Removed or 

Re

Intersection 

Safety 

Improveme

nts to 

Metacom 

Avenue

Intersection 

traffic control 

Systemic 

improvements -

signal-controlled

5 

Numb

ers

3600000 3600000 Penalt

y 

Transf

er –

Sectio

n 164

Urban 

Principal 

Arterial -

Other

3000

0

35 State 

Highway 

Agency

Intersecti

ons

Reduce 

Potential for 

Angle and 

Broadside 

Severe Cr

Intersection 

Safety 

Improveme

nts to 

Route 

102/117

Intersection 

traffic control 

Modify control -

two-way stop to 

roundabout

1 

Numb

ers

700000 2500000 Penalt

y 

Transf

er –

Sectio

n 164

Rural 

Minor 

Arterial

1000

0

50 State 

Highway 

Agency

Intersecti

ons

Reduce 

Potential for 

Angle and 

Broadside 

Severe Cr
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Progress in Achieving Safety Performance Targets

Overview of General Safety Trends

Present data showing the general highway safety trends in the state for the past five years. 

Performance Measures* 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

Number of fatalities 70 69 69 63 58

Number of serious injuries 512 485 485 474 451

Fatality rate (per HMVMT) 0.85 0.85 0.86 0.79 0.75

Serious injury rate (per HMVMT) 6.31 6.34 5.95 5.64 5.47

*Performance measure data is presented using a five-year rolling average.
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To the maximum extent possible, present performance measure* data by functional classification and ownership. 

Year - 2015

Function Classification Number of fatalities Number of serious injuries Fatality rate (per HMVMT) Serious injury rate (per HMVMT)

RURAL PRINCIPAL 

ARTERIAL - INTERSTATE

1.2 3.4 0.34 1.03

RURAL PRINCIPAL 

ARTERIAL - OTHER 

FREEWAYS AND 

EXPRESSWAYS

0.2 2.2 0.05 0.54

RURAL PRINCIPAL 

ARTERIAL - OTHER

2.2 13.4 1.66 8.55

RURAL MINOR 

ARTERIAL

2.4 8 1.78 5.9

RURAL MINOR 

COLLECTOR

0.4 2.6 1.1 3.24

RURAL MAJOR 

COLLECTOR

1 12.6 0.64 12.83

RURAL LOCAL ROAD OR 

STREET

0.8 4.8 3.6 21.62

URBAN PRINCIPAL 

ARTERIAL - INTERSTATE

8 37.8 0.46 2.17
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URBAN PRINCIPAL 

ARTERIAL - OTHER 

FREEWAYS AND 

EXPRESSWAYS

5.4 28 0.47 2.4

URBAN PRINCIPAL 

ARTERIAL - OTHER

13 112.6 0.65 5.64

URBAN MINOR 

ARTERIAL

6.4 74.8 0.64 7.54

URBAN MINOR 

COLLECTOR

1.4

URBAN MAJOR 

COLLECTOR

3 36.8 0.36 4.63

URBAN LOCAL ROAD 

OR STREET

5.4 25.2 1.47 7.8

OTHER 8.6 79.4
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Year - 2014

Roadway Ownership Number of 

fatalities

Number of serious 

injuries

Fatality rate (per 

HMVMT)

Serious injury rate (per 

HMVMT)

STATE HIGHWAY AGENCY 32 191.2

TOWN OR TOWNSHIP HIGHWAY 

AGENCY

10.2 101.4
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Describe any other aspects of the general highway safety trends on which you would like to elaborate.

RIDOT updated their Functional Classification in 2015. Therefore, the figures reported on in previous 

years HSIP Annual report will differ. In future years, the previous FC data will drop out of the 5 year 

rolling average calculation.

Application of Special Rules

Present the rate of traffic fatalities and serious injuries per capita for drivers and pedestrians over the 

age of 65. 

Older Driver

Performance Measures

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Fatality rate (per capita) 0.082 0.088 0.088 0.092 0.096

Serious injury rate (per 

capita)

0.24 0.21 0.184 0.172 0.174

Fatality and serious injury 

rate (per capita)

0.322 0.298 0.272 0.264 0.27

*Performance measure data is presented using a five-year rolling average.

Statewide-Older 

Driver

Fatalities

Year 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

# of Fatalities 13 9 8 15 14 13 15 9 20

65 Population 136 138 138 150 152 152 154 159 163

Rate 0.10 0.07 0.06 0.10 0.09 0.09 0.10 0.06 0.12

Fatalities - 5 Year Rolling Average

Year 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

# of Fatalities 12 12 13 13 14

Rate (per HMVMT) 0.08 0.08 0.09 0.09 0.09
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Serious Injuries

Year 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

# of Serious 

Injuries 15 36 36 35 26 43 17 21 27

65 Population 136 138 138 150 152 152 154 159 163

Rate 0.11 0.26 0.26 0.23 0.17 0.28 0.11 0.13 0.17

Serious Injuries - 5 Year 

Rolling Average

Year 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

# of Serious 

Injuries 30 35 31 28 27

Rate (per HMVMT) 0.21 0.24 0.21 0.19 0.17

Older Driver Special Rule 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

Combined Fatality and Serious Injury 

Rate 0.29 0.32 0.30 0.27 0.26

** Please note that RIDOT recently performed a manual review of all Serious Injury crashes between 2011 and 

this review, some

crashes were removed due to inaccuracy. Therefore, previous years data used for Older Driver serious injuries h 
2016 Rhode Island Highway Safety Improvement Program

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Does the older driver special rule apply to your state? 

No

Assessment of the Effectiveness of the Improvements (Program 

Evaluation)
2016 Rhode Island Highway Safety Improvement Program

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What indicators of success can you use to demonstrate effectiveness and success in the Highway 

Safety Improvement Program?

Benefit/cost

If 'benefit/cost', indicate the overall Highway Safety Improvement Program benefit/cost ratio.

As RIDOT installs more HSIP projects and continues to track their safety performance, RIDOT will report 

back on the overall B/C. It is difficult to calculate an overall B/C for all HSIP projects as most do not have 

sufficient after data at this time to provide a statistically significant result. RIDOT has deployed policy 

changes and passed a primarily seat belt law could result in the consistent decrease in the 5 year rolling 

average of fatalities and serious injuries in the state. While RIDOT has ramped up their HSIP program the 

past few years, there are a few projects that were ready to track improvements on this period. These 

project (as listed in the optional project evaluation question), yielded a B/C of 30. In addition, as part 

RIDOT's Wrong Way Driving Program, there have been no wrong way driving incidents that resulted in a 

fatality at any of the locations where RIDOT deployed detection systems (25 locations). 

Policy change

if 'policy change', list the policy changes made.

Not new to this year, RIDOT requires all federally and state funded projects to consider the FHWA 

Proven Safety Countermeasures, including performing RSAs as early in the project planning process as 

possible.

RIDOT also has revamped their HSIP Program to focus on site-specific locations and systemic facilities 

that experience (or have similar risks) crashes that typically result fatalities and serious injuries in RI over 

the past 5 years. RIDOT targets broadside/right angle, roadway departure, and pedestrian/bike crashes 

as they make up over 75% of fatalities and serious injuries statewide. 

What significant programmatic changes have occurred since the last reporting period? 

Organizational Changes

Other-Shift focus on specific crash types that historcially result in fatalties and serious injuries.

Other-Development of 10 Year STIP with specific HSIP projects listed.

Briefly describe significant program changes that have occurred since the last reporting period. 

RIDOT has revamped their HSIP Program to focus on site-specific locations and systemic facilities that 

experience (or have similar risks) crashes that typically result fatalities and serious injuries in RI over the 
2016 Rhode Island Highway Safety Improvement Program

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past 5 years. RIDOT targets broadside/right angle, roadway departure, and pedestrian/bike crashes as 

they make up over 75% of fatalities and serious injuries statewide. 

Beginning in 2015 and continuing to use and revise as necessary , the RIDOT implements a semi-annual 

review of safety improvement proposals for selection. Local governments and RIDOT staff submit 

engineering studies of potential safety projects. These safety proposals are evaluated to focus limited 

resources on areas of greatest need. HSIP funds are available for locations or corridors where a known

'substantive safety' problem exists as indicated by location specific data on severe crashes or where a 

risk based analysis has demonstrated the need for systemic countermeasures. All HSIP expenditures 

require that a specific project action can produce a measureable and significant reduction in the number 

or risk of severe crashes. To achieve the maximum benefit, the focus of the program is on cost effective 

use of the funds allocated for safety improvements. RIDOT's HSIP project selection methods prioritize 

safety proposals that align with the SHSP, address roadways with actual or potential for higher deaths 

and serious injuries, and target the underlying safety issue.
2016 Rhode Island Highway Safety Improvement Program

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SHSP Emphasis Areas

For each SHSP emphasis area that relates to the HSIP, present trends in emphasis area performance measures. 

Year - 2015

HSIP-related SHSP 

Emphasis Areas

Target 

Crash Type

Number of 

fatalities

Number of 

serious injuries

Fatality rate 

(per HMVMT)

Serious injury rate 

(per HMVMT)

Other1Other2Other3

Roadway Departure 9.4 59 0.12 0.76

Intersections 7.8 62.6 0.09 0.8

Older Drivers 7 11 0.04 0.07

Vulnerable Road Users 

(Pedestrians + Bicyclists)

12 83
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Groups of similar project types
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Present the overall effectiveness of groups of similar types of projects.

Systemic Treatments

Present the overall effectiveness of systemic treatments.

Year - 2015

HSIP Sub-program 

Types

Target 

Crash Type

Number of 

fatalities

Number of 

serious injuries

Fatality rate (per 

HMVMT)

Serious injury rate 

(per HMVMT)

Other1Other2Other3

Other-Vulnerable 

Road Users

12 83

Intersection 7.8 44.4 0.1 0.57

Roadway Departure 29.4 154.8 0.37 1.98

Year - 2015

Systemic improvement Target 

Crash Type

Number of 

fatalities

Number of 

serious injuries

Fatality rate 

(per HMVMT)

Serious injury rate 

(per HMVMT)

Other1Other2Other3
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Other-High Friction 

Surface Treatments

0.4 0.4

Other-Road Diets 0.2 1.4

Cable Median Barriers 0.2 0.4

Other-Wrong-Way 

Driving

2.6 9.2

Rumble Strips 0.6 2.6
2016 Rhode Island Highway Safety Improvement Program

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Describe any other aspects of the overall Highway Safety Improvement Program effectiveness on 

which you would like to elaborate. 

In the past few years, RIDOT has revamped the HSIP to develop subprograms (as listed in this report). 

RIDOT is currently tracking on the safety effectiveness of all improvements implemented under these 

subprograms. Systemic improvements have been recently implemented and sufficient safety crash data 

is not yet available. It is anticipated that starting in FY2016 RIDOT will be able to present before and 

after crash data for each subprogram (including systemic).

As RIDOT installs more HSIP projects and continues to track their safety performance, RIDOT will report 

back on the overall B/C. It is difficult to calculate an overall B/C for all HSIP projects as most do not have 

sufficient after data at this time to provide a statistically significant result. RIDOT has deployed policy 

changes and passed a primarily seat belt law could result in the consistent decrease in the 5 year rolling 

average of fatalities and serious injuries in the state. While RIDOT has ramped up their HSIP program the 

past few years, there are a few projects that were ready to track improvements on this period. These 

project (as listed in the optional project evaluation question), yielded a B/C of 30. In addition, as part 

RIDOT's Wrong Way Driving Program, there have been no wrong way driving incidents that resulted in a 

fatality at any of the locations where RIDOT deployed detection systems (25 locations). 
2016 Rhode Island Highway Safety Improvement Program

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Project Evaluation

Provide project evaluation data for completed projects (optional). 

Location Functional 

Class

Improvement 

Category

Improvement 

Type

BefFatalBefSerious 

Injury

Bef-All 

Injuries

BefPDOBefTotalAftFatalAftSerious 

Injury

Aft-All 

Injuries

AftPDOAftTotalEvaluation 

Results 

(Benefit/ 

Cost Ratio)

Route 

102/Broncos 

Highway -

Burrillville

Rural 

Principal 

Arterial -

Other

Roadway Roadway -

restripe to revise 

separation 

between 

opposing lanes 

and/or shoulder 

widths ; center 

and edge rumble 

strips.

.8 1.6 12.4 21.2 36 11 15 26 13.09

Statewide 

Systemic 

Freeway Ramp 

Horizontal 

Curve 

Improvements

Urban 

Principal 

Arterial -

Interstate

Roadway 

signs and 

traffic control

Curve-related 

warning signs 

and flashers

.93 5.47 52.21 114.2 172.81 3 38.3 84.7 126 62
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Statewide 

Systemic High 

Friction 

Treatments

Urban 

Principal 

Arterial -

Other

Roadway Pavement 

surface - high 

friction surface

.6 .8 12 25 38.4 4 28 32 16
2016 Rhode Island Highway Safety Improvement Program

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Optional Attachments

Sections Files Attached
2016 Rhode Island Highway Safety Improvement Program

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Glossary

5 year rolling average means the average of five individual, consecutive annual points of data (e.g. 

annual fatality rate).

Emphasis area means a highway safety priority in a State’s SHSP, identified through a data-driven, 

collaborative process. 

Highway safety improvement project means strategies, activities and projects on a public road that are 

consistent with a State strategic highway safety plan and corrects or improves a hazardous road location 

or feature or addresses a highway safety problem. 

HMVMT means hundred million vehicle miles traveled.

Non-infrastructure projects are projects that do not result in construction. Examples of noninfrastructure projects include road safety audits, transportation safety planning activities, 

improvements in the collection and analysis of data, education and outreach, and enforcement 

activities.

Older driver special rule applies if traffic fatalities and serious injuries per capita for drivers and 

pedestrians over the age of 65 in a State increases during the most recent 2-year period for which data 

are available, as defined in the Older Driver and Pedestrian Special Rule Interim Guidance dated 

February 13, 2013. 

Performance measure means indicators that enable decision-makers and other stakeholders to monitor 

changes in system condition and performance against established visions, goals, and objectives.

Programmed funds mean those funds that have been programmed in the Statewide Transportation 

Improvement Program (STIP) to be expended on highway safety improvement projects.

Roadway Functional Classification means the process by which streets and highways are grouped into 

classes, or systems, according to the character of service they are intended to provide.

Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP) means a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary plan, based on safety 

data developed by a State Department of Transportation in accordance with 23 U.S.C. 148. 

Systematic refers to an approach where an agency deploys countermeasures at all locations across a 

system.

Systemic safety improvement means an improvement that is widely implemented based on high risk 

roadway features that are correlated with specific severe crash types. 

Transfer means, in accordance with provisions of 23 U.S.C. 126, a State may transfer from an 

apportionment under section 104(b) not to exceed 50 percent of the amount apportioned for the fiscal 

year to any other apportionment of the State under that section.