Highway Safety Improvement Program Reporting Guidance

Date Issued: December 29, 2016

Effective Date: 2017 Reporting Cycle 

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Table of Contents

Background ................................................................................................................................................... 2

Purpose ......................................................................................................................................................... 2

Reporting Frequency and Schedule.............................................................................................................. 2

Content and Structure of the HSIP Report.................................................................................................... 3

Program Structure .................................................................................................................................... 3

Progress in Implementing Highway Safety Improvement Projects.......................................................... 5

Progress in Achieving Safety Outcomes and Performance Targets.......................................................... 8

Effectiveness of Improvements ..............................................................................................................11

Compliance Assessment .........................................................................................................................12

Protection of Data from Discovery & Admission into Evidence ................................................................. 13

Attachment 1: Highway Safety Improvement Categories..........................................................................15

Attachment 2: Other Project Listing Categories.........................................................................................23

Funding Categories .............................................................................................................................23

Relevant SHSP Emphasis Area.............................................................................................................23

Functional Classification .....................................................................................................................23

Roadway Ownership ...........................................................................................................................24
Highway Safety Improvement Program Reporting Guidance

Date Issued: December 29, 2016

Effective Date: 2017 Reporting Cycle 

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This guidance supersedes the February 13, 2013, "Highway Safety Improvement Program Reporting 

Guidance."

Background

The Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act (Pub. L. No. 114-94) continued the Highway 

Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) as a core Federal-aid program with the purpose of reducing

fatalities and serious injuries on all public roads. HSIP is authorized under section 148 of title 23, United 

States Code, with implementing regulations at 23 CFR part 924.

To track HSIP implementation efforts, an annual report on HSIP implementation and effectiveness is 

required under 23 U.S.C. 148(h) and 23 CFR 924.15. Given the purpose of the HSIP and the performance 

management requirements established in the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP21) under 23 U.S.C. 150, States should select and implement projects that will contribute to a reduction 

in fatalities and serious injuries, consistent with their Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP) goals and 

safety performance targets. The HSIP annual report serves as the mechanism to report on safety

performance targets pursuant to 23 CFR Part 490. The States should use the HSIP reports to 

demonstrate the success of their safety programs and to communicate to others within their States 

about the importance of a continued focus on improving highway safety.

Purpose

This document provides guidance to help States meet the HSIP reporting requirements under 23 U.S.C. 

148(h) and 23 CFR 924.15. All States must submit these reports through the HSIP online reporting tool

[23 CFR 924.15(a)]. While 23 U.S.C. 148(h)(1)(C)(iii) requires States to address railway-highway crossings, 

States should collect and include this information in the report required under 23 U.S.C. 130(g). (See 

guidance for the Railway-Highway Crossing Reporting requirements dated February 22, 2013, for 

additional information on the railway-highway crossings report.)

Reporting Frequency and Schedule

Pursuant to 23 CFR 924.15, a State shall submit its HSIP report to the FHWA Division Administrator no 

later than August 31st of each year. This date coincides with the railway-highway crossing report 

required under 23 U.S.C. 130(g). The Division Administrator will review the report to ensure consistency 

with the HSIP reporting requirements and current state of the practice. Divisions should use the HSIP 

report checklist (published separately) to assist in their review of the State’s HSIP report. Upon 

acceptance of the report, the Division Administrator will transmit the report to the FHWA Office of 

Safety no later than September 30th each year. 
Highway Safety Improvement Program Reporting Guidance

Date Issued: December 29, 2016

Effective Date: 2017 Reporting Cycle 

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Content and Structure of the HSIP Report

All States shall use the FHWA online reporting tool to support the annual HSIP reporting process [23 CFR 

924.15(a)]. Additional information is available on the FHWA Web site at 

http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/hsip/resources/onrpttool/. An HSIP report template is available (published 

separately), which is identical to the online reporting tool content. The HSIP Online Reporting Tool 

meets all report requirements and USDOT Web site compatibility requirements.

Pursuant to 23 CFR 924.15, each reporting period is 1 year. A State, in consultation with the FHWA 

Division Office, may define the reporting period based on calendar year, Federal fiscal year, or State 

fiscal year. However, States should use a consistent reporting period from year to year. Performance 

measure data must be reported on a calendar year basis [23 CFR 924.15(a)(1)(iii)(A)]. 

The report should address all projects implemented with HSIP funds, including local projects and noninfrastructure projects (e.g., data, transportation safety planning). Furthermore, if a State has been 

approved to use Railway-Highway Crossing Program (RHCP) funds for HSIP purposes, the State should 

include those projects in the HSIP report. In addition, States should report on explicit safety projects 

identified through the HSIP but implemented with other funding sources. The FHWA encourages States 

to coordinate with their State highway safety office, planning organizations, and local government 

agencies to obtain all relevant information to ensure complete HSIP reporting.

The HSIP report should consist of five sections: program structure, progress in implementing HSIP 

projects, progress in achieving safety performance targets, assessment of the effectiveness of the 

improvements, and a compliance assessment. The content and structure of each section is described 

below.

Program Structure

The report should briefly describe the structure of the State's HSIP. At a minimum, this description 

should include how HSIP funds are administered in the State and a summary of the methodology used 

to develop the programs and projects implemented through the HSIP on all public roads. 

Program Administration

The report should briefly describe the general structure of the HSIP in the State, including information 

such as:

• Location of HSIP staff within agency (e.g., planning, operations); 

• HSIP structure (i.e., how HSIP projects are identified, selected, designed, implemented, and 

evaluated); 

• Allocation of HSIP funds (e.g., centrally managed competitive application process, by SHSP 

emphasis area data, by formula to districts or planning organizations); 
Highway Safety Improvement Program Reporting Guidance

Date Issued: December 29, 2016

Effective Date: 2017 Reporting Cycle 

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• Inclusion of local and tribal roads; and

• Coordination with internal (e.g., State departments of transportation (DOTs) Bureaus, Divisions)

and external (e.g., regional planning organizations, state highway safety office, local agencies) 

partners. 

The report should also include any program administration practices that have changed since the last 

reporting period (e.g., new local HSIP policy, HSIP steering committee). 

Program Methodology

The HSIP planning, implementation, and evaluation processes must be developed in cooperation with 

the FHWA Division Administrator and in consultation with other safety stakeholders, as appropriate [23 

CFR 924.7(b)]. Because these processes likely will not change on an annual basis, States should submit 

any such HSIP processes to the Division Administrator under a separate cover from the annual HSIP 

report and reference these documents in the FHWA/State Stewardship and Oversight Agreement as 

controlling documents. The Division Administrator should maintain a copy of current program and

project identification processes. The State may choose to include the HSIP process as an attachment to 

the annual HSIP report, as appropriate. 

For the purposes of the annual HSIP report, States should provide a brief overview of each program 

administered under the HSIP. The HSIP Manual defines a program as a group of projects (not necessarily 

similar in type or location) implemented to achieve a common highway safety goal.1 For example, some 

States have one program that includes all projects resulting from the HSIP planning component. Other 

States have multiple “sub” programs. An example of a “sub” program may be a skid treatment program 

designed to reduce wet-weather-related crashes at different locations. Some States also refer to “sub” 

programs as initiatives. 

For each program administered under the State’s HSIP, the State should indicate the date that the 

program methodology was last updated and submit a brief summary of the following key elements: 

• Justification for program (i.e., why does this program exist? e.g., to address an SHSP emphasis 

area or State-mandated program); 

• Funding approach (e.g., competes with all projects, set-aside); 

• Data used, including:

o Crash (e.g., all crashes, fatal only, fatal plus serious injury, fatal plus all injuries); 

o Exposure (e.g., traffic volume, population); and 

 

1 FHWA, Highway Safety Improvement Program Manual, 6.1 (January 2010), available at: 

http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/hsip/resources/fhwasa09029/index.cfm#toc. 
Highway Safety Improvement Program Reporting Guidance

Date Issued: December 29, 2016

Effective Date: 2017 Reporting Cycle 

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o Roadway (e.g., geometry, pavement condition, any Fundamental Data Elements); 

• Project Identification Methodology (consistent with the Highway Safety Manual (HSM) 

performance measures (e.g., frequency, equivalent property damage only, critical rate, safety 

performance functions, Empirical Bayes)); 

• Extent to which local roads are addressed as part of each program; and

• Project prioritization process (e.g., incremental benefit cost ratio, ranking based on net benefit, 

processes to prioritize non-infrastructure projects). 

The report should also describe the:

• Process used to identify potential countermeasures (e.g., engineering study, road safety 

assessment); 

• Considerations for connected vehicles and Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) technologies

in the HSIP; 

• Extent to which the State has implemented systemic improvements as part of the HSIP (e.g., 

proportion of spot location vs. systemic improvements), including the type of systemic

improvements, if applicable; and

• Extent to which the State is using the HSM to support the HSIP. 

The report should identify any changes to the HSIP methodology practices that were introduced during 

the last reporting period to advance HSIP implementation efforts (e.g., HSM, road safety audits, 

systemic approach).

Progress in Implementing Highway Safety Improvement Projects

States should describe their progress in implementing HSIP projects during the specified reporting 

period. This description should include a comparison of the HSIP funds programmed and obligated for 

highway safety improvement projects, as well as the number and general listing of projects initiated.

HSIP Funds Programmed 

For the purpose of the report, the term "HSIP funds" includes those funds that are available 

(programmed) to implement highway safety improvement projects that have been identified as part of 

the State's HSIP. At a minimum, this includes highway safety improvement projects obligated using HSIP 

funds (23 U.S.C. 148), funds obligated under the High Risk Rural Roads (HRRR) special rule (23 U.S.C. 

148(g)(1)), penalty funds used for HSIP purposes (23 U.S.C. 154 and 164), and the Railway-Highway 

Crossing Program (RHCP) funds used for HSIP purposes (23 U.S.C. 130(e)(2)). In addition, the report 

should include other non-safety funds (e.g., Surface Transportation Block Grant Program (STBG), 

National Highway Performance Program (NHPP), State, local) that are programmed to implement 
Highway Safety Improvement Program Reporting Guidance

Date Issued: December 29, 2016

Effective Date: 2017 Reporting Cycle 

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highway safety improvement projects (i.e., those identified through the HSIP). Railway-highway crossing 

projects are addressed separately in the Railway-Highway Crossings Report. 

For each funding category, the State must compare the funds programmed to those obligated (i.e., what 

the State was planning (funds programmed) versus what the State did (funds obligated) during the 

reporting period). 

Programmed funds are those funds that are planned to be expended under the Statewide 

Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) on highway safety improvement projects over the 

reporting period. 

An obligation is the Federal government's legal commitment (promise) to pay or reimburse the States or 

other entities for the Federal share of a project's eligible costs. Therefore, obligated funds are those 

funds authorized by FHWA in the Fiscal Management Information System (FMIS). 

Funding Category Programmed Obligated % Obligated/Programmed

HSIP (23 U.S.C. 148)

HRRR Special Rule (23 

U.S.C. 148(g)(1))

Penalty Funds – 23 U.S.C.

154 (for HSIP purposes)

Penalty Funds – 23 U.S.C.

164 (for HSIP purposes)

RHCP (for HSIP purposes

under 23 U.S.C. 

130(e)(2)) 

Other Federal-aid Funds 

(i.e., STBG, NHPP)

State and Local Funds
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Date Issued: December 29, 2016

Effective Date: 2017 Reporting Cycle 

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Total

The report should briefly describe the amount of HSIP funds, either in dollar amounts or on a 

percentage basis, programmed and obligated to local or tribal safety projects for the specified reporting 

period. Local and tribal safety projects are those projects implemented on non-State owned and 

maintained roadways. Also, the report should briefly describe the amount of HSIP funds, either in dollar 

amounts or on a percentage basis, programmed and obligated for non-infrastructure safety projects 

over the specified reporting period. Non-infrastructure projects are those projects that do not result in 

construction (e.g., data, road safety audits, transportation safety planning). 

The report should also discuss any impediments to obligating HSIP funds and plans to overcome this 

challenge in the future, including a description of any funds transferred into or out of the HSIP in 

accordance with 23 U.S.C. 126.

General Listing of Projects

Pursuant to 23 CFR 924.15, States shall provide a list of highway safety improvement projects that were 

obligated during the reporting period, including non-infrastructure projects (e.g., data, transportation 

safety planning). For each project to which the State has obligated HSIP funds during the reporting 

period, the following information should be provided to the fullest extent possible: 

• Improvement Category; 

• Project output (e.g., miles of rumble strips, number of curves); 

• Method for site selection (i.e., spot or systemic safety improvement); 

• Project cost; 

• Funding category; 

• Relationship to the State's SHSP (i.e., emphasis area, strategy); and

• Roadway characteristics (i.e., functional classification, average annual daily traffic (AADT), 

speed, ownership). 

The improvement category and sub-category should align with the list of highway safety improvement 

categories in Attachment 1. The list of highway safety improvement categories in Attachment 1 is similar 

to that used in the Highway Safety Information System (HSIS) Multistate Safety Improvement Database 

and can be used to identify common countermeasure installations across States for national evaluation 

purposes. While a single project may consist of multiple project types, each project should be assigned 

to only one category. The category chosen should align with the primary purpose of the project. For 

example, if a State recently completed a pavement overlay at intersection A to improve the skid 
Highway Safety Improvement Program Reporting Guidance

Date Issued: December 29, 2016

Effective Date: 2017 Reporting Cycle 

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resistance on the approaches to the intersection, this project would be categorized as pavement surface 

- high friction surface under the roadway category since that was the primary purpose of the project.

The project output will vary depending on the type of project implemented. For example, if a State 

recently completed a rumble strip project, the project output would be the miles of rumble strips 

installed for that project. On the other hand, if the county improved pedestrian accommodations at 10 

intersections in its region, the project output would be 10 intersections. Attachment 1 also includes 

recommended output measures for each highway safety improvement subcategory. Please be as 

specific as possible when choosing the appropriate output measure. 

The method for site selection should indicate whether the project was identified via spot or systemic 

safety analysis. 

The project cost should reflect both the total cost of each project, as well as the amount of HSIP funds 

used for each project.

The funding category should reflect the source of funds used to implement the highway safety 

improvement project. If the agency uses multiple funding categories, the State should select the 

category associated with the most significant portion of funding. For example, if a State funds 60 

percent of the project cost with HSIP funds and the remaining 40 percent with STBG funds, it should 

select the HSIP funding category.

For each HSIP project, the State must demonstrate the relationship to the State's SHSP. States should 

not only link each project to the appropriate SHSP emphasis area (i.e., intersection, roadway departure), 

but also the strategy that most closely aligns with the primary purpose of the project.

The State should provide the roadway characteristics associated with each project. Specifically, 

functional classification, AADT, posted speed, and roadway ownership are key factors in the evaluation 

process. This information applies to infrastructure projects only.

Attachment 2 includes other project listing categories for funding, SHSP emphasis areas, functional 

classification and roadway ownership. 

Progress in Achieving Safety Outcomes and Performance Targets

States should describe the progress made toward achieving safety outcomes and performance targets. 

This includes an overview of general highway safety trends, documentation of safety performance 

targets, and the application of special rules.

General Highway Safety Trends
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Effective Date: 2017 Reporting Cycle 

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States must present and describe information showing the annual highway safety trends in the State for 

at least the last 5 years for the following performance measures:

• Number of fatalities; 

• Number of serious injuries; 

• Fatality rate per hundred million vehicle miles traveled (HMVMT); 

• Serious injury rate per HMVMT; and

• Number of non-motorized fatalities and non-motorized serious injuries. 

In addition, to the maximum extent possible, States should present this information by functional 

classification and ownership. 

States can present fatality performance measure data using State-reported fatality data or data from the 

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS). The 

State should clearly describe the data source in the HSIP report. FHWA will use the FARS data to both 

determine whether targets were met and set the baseline for the significant progress assessment. 

States must present serious injury performance measure data consistent with the Model Minimum 

Uniform Crash Criteria (MMUCC) 4th edition definition for “suspected serious injury (A)” or use the 

serious injury conversion tables on FHWA’s website.

2 FHWA will use the State-reported serious injury 

data to determine whether targets were met as well as set the baseline for the significant progress 

assessment. States should include a discussion on the current status of compliance with the MMUCC 

definition in the Compliance Assessment section of this report. 

For the rate information, States must provide fatalities and serious injuries per HMVMT. Please note 

that FHWA will use the Highway Performance Monitoring System (HPMS) data to derive the State VMT 

data to both determine whether targets were met and conduct the significant progress assessment. 

States must present the number of non-motorized fatalities separately from the number of nonmotorized serious injuries. The FHWA will use the State-reported, non-motorized serious injury data 

combined with the non-motorized fatalities reported in FARS to assess whether a State met its nonmotorized safety target or whether its performance outcome was better than the baseline year. 

States shall report the most current full calendar year of data that is available (e.g., for the 2017 

reporting cycle, States should report 2016 performance measure data) [23 CFR 490.209 and 

924.15(a)(1)(iii)(A)]. If the State is not able to report the most current year’s performance measure data, 

please describe why and the State’s efforts to become current. 

Safety Performance Targets

 

2 FHWA, State Serious Injury Conversion Tables, available at: http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/hsip/spm/conversion_tbl/. 
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Effective Date: 2017 Reporting Cycle 

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States must present safety performance targets for the following calendar year for each of the five 

safety performance measures listed above [23 CFR 924.15(a)(1)(iii)(B)]. For example, for the 2017 

reporting cycle, States will report calendar year (CY) 2018 targets for the (1) number of fatalities, (2) 

number of serious injuries, (3) fatality rate, (4) serious injury rate, and the (5) total number of nonmotorized fatalities and serious injuries. CY2018 targets represent the 5-yr rolling average for 2014 to 

2018 (as per 23 CFR 490.207(b)). Each performance measure is based on a 5-year rolling average. The 

targets for number of fatalities, number of serious injuries, and fatality rate must be identical to the 

targets submitted to NHTSA in the State’s Highway Safety Plan [23 CFR 490.209(a)(1)]. States should 

describe their efforts to coordinate with other stakeholders (e.g., State highway safety office, 

metropolitan planning organizations) to establish the safety performance targets. 

In addition, for each safety performance measure, State DOTs may choose to establish separate targets 

for any of the urbanized areas within the State and may also choose to establish a single target for all of 

the non-urbanized areas in the State. If the State chooses to establish these optional targets, it must 

also declare and describe the boundaries of each area. States can use boundaries from the decennial 

census or adjust them, as appropriate. If adjusted, the State should provide the boundary file as part of 

the HSIP report submission. 

States must also describe the basis for each established target, how the established targets support 

SHSP goals, and, in future years, any reasons for differences between the actual outcomes and targets

[(23 CFR 924.15(a)(1)(iii)(B)]. States should provide this information for each target. 

Applicability of Special Rules 

States should report on the applicability of the high risk rural roads and older drivers special rules 

described in 23 U.S.C. 148(g). 

High Risk Rural Roads

The HSIP report should indicate whether or not the HRRR Special Rule applies to the State for this 

reporting period (based on previous determination by FHWA). If the HRRR Special Rule applies to the

State, States should include in their annual HSIP report a description of the methodology used to 

identify HRRR projects in the Program Methodology section, documentation of the amount of HRRR

funding programmed and obligated during the reporting period in the Funding section, a listing of HRRR 

projects obligated during the reporting period in the General Listing of Projects section, and the a 

description of the effectiveness of HRRR projects in the Program Evaluation section. 

Older Drivers and Pedestrians 

Beginning with the 2017 HSIP annual reports, States will only report fatalities and serious injuries 

involving older drivers and pedestrians, consistent with the most current version of the Section 148: 
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Older Driver and Pedestrian Special Rule Guidance.

3 States should present this information for seven 

years, ending with the year prior to the most current full year of data [23 CFR 924.15(a)(1)(iii)(C)]. For 

example, for the 2017 HSIP report, States must report older driver and pedestrian performance measure 

data for the years 2009 through 2015. 

The FHWA will use this information to calculate the older driver and pedestrian fatality and serious 

injury rate per capita, determine whether or not the special rule applies to each State, and notify the 

States no later than March of the following year. States will no longer self-report applicability of the 

Older Driver and Pedestrian Special Rule in their HSIP annual report. 

Effectiveness of Improvements

Under 23 U.S.C. 148(c)(2)(F)(i), States must establish an evaluation process to analyze and assess results 

achieved by highway safety improvement projects. States should report evaluation results from 

individual project locations, the effectiveness of groupings or similar types of highway safety 

improvement projects (e.g., particular countermeasures), and the effectiveness of the program as a 

whole. States typically look back at least 3 years for project and program evaluations. For example, 

States would look back to projects completed in 2013 for the 2017 report. 

Program Effectiveness

States should describe the measures of effectiveness used to determine effectiveness of the HSIP, as 

well as the results of program level evaluations, as appropriate. Measures might include the change in 

total crashes, change in target crashes, benefit-cost ratio, economic effectiveness (cost per crash 

reduced), lives saved, injuries avoided, or crashes prevented. 

In addition, States should provide any other information that demonstrates the effectiveness and 

success of the HSIP. For example, in some instances, successful implementation of programs, strategies 

or treatments may lead to policy level changes, whereby safety treatments are applied across all 

projects and not only safety-specific projects. Such changes should be noted in the annual report, as 

they represent a shift in safety culture and contribute to the success of the program. 

Effectiveness of groupings or similar types of highway safety improvement 

projects 

The effectiveness of groupings or similar types of highway safety improvement projects (e.g., particular 

countermeasures) is evident through SHSP emphasis area trends and the results of countermeasure

effectiveness evaluations. 

 

3 FHWA, Section 148: Older Drivers and Pedestrians Special Rule Final Guidance (May 19, 2016), available at 

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/map21/guidance/guideolder.cfm. 
Highway Safety Improvement Program Reporting Guidance

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Effective Date: 2017 Reporting Cycle 

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SHSP Emphasis Areas

At a minimum, States should present and describe highway safety trends for SHSP emphasis area

performance measures that relate to the HSIP.

Countermeasure Effectiveness 

Many States group similar types of projects for HSIP implementation. Projects may be grouped by crash 

type or countermeasure category (e.g., median barrier). States should report the results of 

countermeasure evaluations, as appropriate. States should not only provide the results of the 

evaluation, but also supporting information such as the target crash type, number of installations or 

miles of treatment included in the evaluation, or number of years of before and after data and 

evaluation methodology. The State may also include the research report or other documentation as an 

attachment to the HSIP report. 

Project Effectiveness 

States should monitor the effectiveness of individual projects in addressing the target crash types, 

consistent with the State HSIP evaluation processes. The FHWA encourages States to report information 

from individual project evaluations using the template provided in the online reporting tool. The FHWA 

uses this information to support national efforts to estimate the benefits of the HSIP. Relevant 

evaluation information includes:

• General background information (e.g., report year, project name); 

• Improvement type; 

• Method for site selection; 

• Project outputs; 

• Project costs; 

• Roadway characteristics (e.g., functional classification, ownership); and

• Before and after data (i.e., # years, average annual daily traffic (AADT), crashes – fatal, serious 

injury, all injury, property damage only (PDO), total). 

Compliance Assessment 

The HSIP and Safety Performance Measure Final Rules4 introduced several new requirements relating to 

the SHSP update cycle, Model Inventory of Roadway Elements (MIRE) fundamental data elements, and

serious injury definition. In addition, FHWA established a strategic initiative for every State to conduct 

an HSIP program assessment at least once every 5 years. To ensure States are making progress towards

meeting these requirements, States should provide the current status of these efforts in their annual 

HSIP report. 

 

4 Incorporated in 23 CFR Parts 924 and 490, respectively.
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SHSP Update Cycle

States must update their SHSP at least once every 5 years [23 CFR 924.9(a)(3)(i)]. To help FHWA ensure 

compliance with this requirement, States should report information related to their SHSP update efforts. 

This information should include, at a minimum, the date that the State SHSP was approved or signed by 

the Governor or designated State representative; the years covered by the current SHSP, and an 

estimated date for completion of the next SHSP update. 

MIRE Fundamental Data Elements

States must incorporate specific quantifiable and measurable anticipated improvements for the 

collection of MIRE fundamental data elements into their Traffic Records Strategic Plan by July 1, 2017

[23 CFR 924.11(b)]. The HSIP report should provide the current status of MIRE fundamental data 

collection efforts and briefly describe actions the State will take moving forward to meet the 

requirement for States to have access to the MIRE fundamental data elements on all public roads by 

September 30, 2026. 

Serious Injury Definition 

States must use serious injury data that is either MMUCC 4th edition compliant or converted to the 

KABCO system (A) for injury classification through use of the NHTSA conversion tables [23 CFR 

490.207(c)]. States should describe the current status of compliance with this requirement, for both the 

crash database and the standard crash report form, in the HSIP report. If the State is not yet compliant 

with the MMUCC 4th edition definition, it should describe the actions it plans to take to become 

compliant by April 15, 2019. 

Program Assessment

States should conduct an HSIP program assessment (e.g. self-assessment, program review or peer 

review) at least once every 5 years. States should describe their efforts to meet this goal. This might 

include the date and topic of the most recent assessment, or an estimated timeframe to complete a 

planned assessment. 

Protection of Data from Discovery & Admission into Evidence

Section 148(h)(4) of title 23 provides that data compiled or collected for the preparation of the HSIP 

Report "...shall not be subject to discovery or admitted into evidence in a Federal or State court 

proceeding or considered for other purposes in an action for damages arising from any occurrence at a 

location identified or addressed in [such] reports..." This information may also be protected under 23 

U.S.C. 409 (discovery and admission as evidence of certain reports and surveys). The protection afforded 

under Sections 148(h)(4) and 409 does not provide an outright bar to litigation. It is an evidentiary 
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privilege that must be affirmatively asserted by the party against whom discovery is sought or evidence 

is offered. Neither provision excuses FHWA from fulfilling the statutory requirements of the Freedom of 

Information Act (“FOIA”), 5 U.S.C. § 552, as amended.
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Effective Date: 2017 Reporting Cycle 

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Attachment 1: Highway Safety Improvement Categories

Highway Safety Improvement Project Categories

(Source: HSIS Safety Improvements Database)

While a single project may consist of multiple project types, each project should be assigned to only one 

category and sub-category combination. The category/sub-category chosen should align with the 

primary purpose of the project. 

Category Sub-category Output Measure

Access management

Access management - other # miles or # access points

Change in access – close or restrict 

existing access

# miles or # access points

Change in access –

miscellaneous/unspecified

# miles or #access points

Grassed median - extend existing # miles

Median crossover - close crossover # miles or # crossovers

Median crossover - directional crossover # miles or # crossovers

Median crossover - relocate existing # miles or # crossovers

Median crossover - unspecified # miles or # crossovers

Raised island - install new # miles

Raised island - modify existing # miles

Raised island - remove existing # miles

Raised island – unspecified # miles

Advanced technology and ITS

Advanced technology and ITS - other # intersections or # units

Congestion detection / traffic monitoring 

system

# miles or # units

Dynamic message signs # locations or # signs 

Over height vehicle detection # locations 

Alignment

Alignment - other # miles

Horizontal curve realignment # curves

Horizontal and vertical alignment # miles

Vertical alignment or elevation change # miles

Animal-related Animal related # miles or # locations

Interchange design

Acceleration / deceleration / merge lane # miles or # locations

Convert at-grade intersection to 

interchange

# intersections

Extend existing lane on ramp # miles or # ramps

Improve intersection radius at ramp 

terminus

# intersections

Installation of new lane on ramp # miles or # ramps

Interchange design - other # interchanges

Ramp closure # ramps
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Category Sub-category Output Measure

Ramp metering # ramps

Intersection geometry

Auxiliary lanes – add acceleration lane # intersections or # lanes

Auxiliary lanes – add auxiliary through 

lane

# intersections or # 

approaches

Auxiliary lanes – add left-turn lane # intersections or # 

approaches

Auxiliary lanes – add right-turn lane # intersections or # 

approaches

Auxiliary lanes – add right-turn lane (freeflow)# intersections or # 

approaches

Auxiliary lanes – add slip lane # intersections or # 

approaches

Auxiliary lanes – add two-way left-turn 

lane

# miles 

Auxiliary lanes – extend 

acceleration/deceleration lane

# intersections or # 

approaches

Auxiliary lanes – extend existing left-turn 

lane

# intersections or # 

approaches

Auxiliary lanes – extend existing rightturn lane# intersections or # 

approaches

Auxiliary lanes –

miscellaneous/other/unspecified

# intersections or # 

approaches

Auxiliary lanes – modify acceleration lane # intersections or # 

approaches

Auxiliary lanes – modify auxiliary through 

lane

# intersections or # 

approaches

Auxiliary lanes – modify free-flow turn 

lane

# intersections or # 

approaches

Auxiliary lanes – modify left-turn lane 

offset

# intersections or # 

approaches

Auxiliary lanes – modify right-turn lane 

offset

# intersections or # 

approaches

Auxiliary lanes – modify turn lane storage # intersections or # 

approaches

Auxiliary lanes – modify turn lane taper # intersections or # 

approaches

Auxiliary lanes – modify two-way left-turn 

lane

# miles 

Intersection geometrics –

miscellaneous/other/unspecified

# intersections

Intersection geometrics – modify 

intersection corner radius

# intersections or # 

approaches
Highway Safety Improvement Program Reporting Guidance

Date Issued: December 29, 2016

Effective Date: 2017 Reporting Cycle 

17

Category Sub-category Output Measure

Intersection geometrics – modify skew 

angle

# intersections or 

#approaches

Intersection geometrics – realignment to 

align offset cross streets

# intersections

Intersection geometrics – realignment to 

increase cross street offset

# intersections

Intersection geometrics – re-assign 

existing lane use

# intersections or # 

approaches

Intersection geometry - other # intersections or # 

approaches

Splitter island – install on one or more 

approaches

# approaches

Splitter island – remove from one or 

more approaches

# approaches

Splitter island – unspecified # approaches 

Through lanes – add additional through 

lane

# intersections or # 

approaches

Intersection traffic control

Intersection flashers – add “when 

flashing” warning sign-mounted

# intersections or # 

approaches

Intersection flashers – add advance 

emergency vehicle warning sign-mounted

# intersections or # 

approaches

Intersection flashers – add advance heavy 

vehicle warning sign-mounted

# intersections or # 

approaches

Intersection flashers – add advance 

intersection warning sign-mounted

# intersections or # 

approaches

Intersection flashers – add 

miscellaneous/other/unspecified

# intersections or # 

approaches

Intersection flashers – add overhead 

(actuated)

# intersections

Intersection flashers – add overhead 

(continuous)

# intersections

Intersection flashers – add stop signmounted# intersections or # 

approaches

Intersection flashers – modify existing # intersections

Intersection flashers – remove existing # intersections

Intersection signing – add basic advance 

warning

# intersections or # 

approaches

Intersection signing – add enhanced 

advance warning (double-up and/or 

oversize)

# intersections or # 

approaches

Intersection signing – add enhanced 

regulatory sign (double-up and/or 

# intersections or # 

approaches
Highway Safety Improvement Program Reporting Guidance

Date Issued: December 29, 2016

Effective Date: 2017 Reporting Cycle 

18

Category Sub-category Output Measure

oversize)

Intersection signing –

miscellaneous/other/unspecified

# intersections or # 

approaches

Intersection signing – relocate existing 

regulatory sign

# intersections or # 

approaches

Intersection traffic control - other # intersections

Modify control – all-way stop to 

roundabout

# intersections

Modify control – modifications to 

roundabout

# intersections

Modify control – no control to 

roundabout

# intersections

Modify control – no control to two-way 

stop

# intersections

Modify control – remove right-turn yield # intersections or # 

approaches

Modify control – reverse priority of stop 

condition

# intersections

Modify control – traffic signal to 

roundabout

# intersections

Modify control – two-way stop to all-way 

stop

# intersections

Modify control – two-way stop to 

roundabout

# intersections

Modify control – two-way yield to twoway stop# intersections

Pavement Markings – add advance signal 

ahead

# approaches

Pavement markings – add advance stop 

ahead

# approaches

Pavement markings – add dashed edge 

line along mainline

# intersections

Pavement markings – add lane use 

symbols

# approaches

Pavement markings – add stop line # approaches

Pavement markings – add yield line # approaches

Pavement markings –

miscellaneous/other/unspecified

# intersections or # 

approaches

Pavement markings – refresh existing 

pavement markings

# intersections

Modify traffic signal – add additional 

signal heads

# intersections or # 

approaches or # signal 
Highway Safety Improvement Program Reporting Guidance

Date Issued: December 29, 2016

Effective Date: 2017 Reporting Cycle 

19

Category Sub-category Output Measure

heads

Modify traffic signal – add backplates # intersections or # 

approaches or # signal 

heads

Modify traffic signal – add backplates 

with retroreflective borders

# intersections or # 

approaches or # signal 

heads

Modify traffic signal – add closed loop 

system

# intersections or # 

approaches

Modify traffic signal – add emergency 

vehicle preemption

# intersections or # 

approaches

Modify traffic signal – add flashing yellow 

arrow

# approaches

Modify traffic signal – add long vehicle 

detection

# intersections or # 

approaches

Modify traffic signal – add railroad 

preemption

# intersections or # 

approaches

Modify traffic signal – add wireless 

system

# intersections or # 

approaches 

Modify traffic signal –

miscellaneous/other/unspecified

# intersections or # 

approaches 

Modify traffic signal –

modernization/replacement

# intersections 

Modify traffic signal – modify signal 

mounting (spanwire to mast arm)

# intersections

Modify traffic signal – remove existing 

signal

# intersections 

Modify traffic signal – replace existing 

indications (incandescent-to-LED and/or 

8-to-12 inch dia.)

# approaches or # signal 

heads

Modify traffic signal timing – left-turn 

phasing (permissive to 

protected/permissive)

# intersections or # 

approaches

Modify traffic signal timing – left-turn 

phasing (permissive to protected-only)

# intersections or # 

approaches

Modify traffic signal timing – adjust 

clearance interval (yellow change and/or 

all-red)

# intersections or # 

approaches

Modify traffic signal timing – general 

retiming

# intersections

Modify traffic signal timing – signal 

coordination

# intersections or # miles
Highway Safety Improvement Program Reporting Guidance

Date Issued: December 29, 2016

Effective Date: 2017 Reporting Cycle 

20

Category Sub-category Output Measure

Systemic improvements – signalcontrolled# intersections

Systemic improvements – stop-controlled # intersections

Lighting

Continuous roadway lighting # miles

Intersection lighting

# intersections or # 

approaches

Lighting - other # miles or # intersections

Site lighting – horizontal curve # curves

Site lighting – intersection # intersections

Site lighting – interchange # interchanges

Site lighting – pedestrian crosswalk # crosswalks

Miscellaneous Miscellaneous # miles or # units

Data/traffic records – LRS/GIS N/A or # units

Data/traffic records – Crash Data 

Collection

N/A or # units

Data/traffic records – Roadway/Traffic 

Data Collection

N/A or # units

Data/traffic records – Data Integration N/A or # units

Data/traffic records – Analysis Tools N/A or # units

Non-infrastructure - other N/A or # units

Outreach N/A or # units

Road safety audits N/A or # units

SHSP Development N/A or # units

Training and workforce development N/A or # units

Transportation safety planning N/A or # units

Parking

Modify parking # locations

Parking - other # locations

Remove parking # locations

Restrict parking # locations

Truck parking facilities # locations

Pedestrians and bicyclists

Crosswalk # locations

Install new "smart" crosswalk # locations

Install new crosswalk # locations

Install sidewalk # miles

Medians and pedestrian refuge areas # miles or # locations

Miscellaneous pedestrians and bicyclists # miles or # locations

Modify existing crosswalk # locations

Pedestrian beacons # locations

Pedestrian bridge # locations

Pedestrian signal # locations

Pedestrian signal - audible device # locations
Highway Safety Improvement Program Reporting Guidance

Date Issued: December 29, 2016

Effective Date: 2017 Reporting Cycle 

21

Category Sub-category Output Measure

Pedestrian signal – Pedestrian Hybrid 

Beacon

# locations

Pedestrian signal - install new at 

intersection

# intersections or # 

approaches

Pedestrian signal - install new at nonintersection location# locations

Pedestrian signal - modify existing # locations

Pedestrian signal - remove existing # locations

Pedestrian warning signs - add/modify 

flashers

# locations

Pedestrian warning signs – overhead # locations

Railroad grade crossings

Grade separation # locations

Model enforcement activity N/A or # units

Protective devices # locations

Railroad grade crossing gates

# locations or # 

approaches

Railroad grade crossing signing

# locations or # 

approaches

Railroad grade crossings - other

# locations or # 

approaches

Surface treatment

# locations or # 

approaches

Upgrade railroad crossing signal

# locations or # 

approaches

Widen crossing for additional lane

# locations or # 

approaches

Roadside

Barrier end treatments (crash cushions, 

terminals)

# units

Barrier transitions # units

Barrier - cable # miles

Barrier - concrete # miles

Barrier- metal # miles

Barrier - other # miles or # units

Barrier - removal # miles

Curb or curb and gutter # miles

Drainage improvements # miles or # locations

Fencing # miles

Removal of roadside objects (trees, poles, 

etc.)

# miles or # locations or 

# objects

Roadside grading # miles

Roadside - other # miles

Roadway Install / remove / modify passing zone # miles or # locations 
Highway Safety Improvement Program Reporting Guidance

Date Issued: December 29, 2016

Effective Date: 2017 Reporting Cycle 

22

Category Sub-category Output Measure

Pavement surface – high friction surface # locations

Pavement surface - miscellaneous # miles

Roadway narrowing (road diet, roadway 

reconfiguration)

# miles

Roadway - other # miles

Roadway - restripe to revise separation 

between opposing lanes and/or shoulder 

widths 

# miles

Roadway widening - add lane(s) along 

segment

# miles

Roadway widening - curve # curves

Roadway widening - travel lanes # miles

Rumble strips - center # miles

Rumble strips – edge or shoulder # miles

Rumble strips - transverse # miles

Rumble strips – unspecified or other # miles

Superelevation / cross slope # miles or # curves

Roadway delineation

Improve retroreflectivity # miles or # signs

Longitudinal pavement markings - new # miles

Longitudinal pavement markings –

remarking

# miles

Delineators post-mounted or on barrier # miles

Raised pavement markers # miles

Roadway delineation - other # miles

Roadway signs and traffic 

control

Curve-related warning signs and flashers # curves or # signs

Sign sheeting – upgrade or replacement # signs

Roadway signs and traffic control - other # signs

Roadway signs (including post) – new or 

updated

# signs

Shoulder treatments

Widen shoulder – paved or other # miles

Pave existing shoulders # miles

Shoulder grading # miles

Shoulder treatments - other # miles

Speed management

Modify speed limit # locations

Radar speed signs # locations or # signs

Speed detection system / truck warning # locations

Speed management - other # locations

Traffic calming feature # locations

Work Zone Work zone N/A or # units
Highway Safety Improvement Program Reporting Guidance

Date Issued: December 29, 2016

Effective Date: 2017 Reporting Cycle 

23

Attachment 2: Other Project Listing Categories

Funding Categories 

HSIP (Section 148)

HRRR Special Rule

Penalty Funds - Section 154

Penalty Funds- Section 164

RHCP Funds (used for HSIP purposes)

Other Federal-aid Funds (i.e., STBG, NHPP)

State and Local Funds

Relevant SHSP Emphasis Area

Pedestrian

Bicycle 

Motorcycles

Roadway/lane departure 

Intersections/interchanges 

Head-on and across-median crashes

Work zones

Other

Functional Classification

Rural Principal Arterial – Interstate

Rural Principal Arterial - Other Freeways and Expressways

Rural Principal Arterial - Other

Rural Minor Arterial

Rural Major Collector

Rural Minor Collector

Rural Local Road or Street

Urban Principal Arterial - Interstate

Urban Principal Arterial - Other Freeways and Expressways

Urban Principal Arterial - Other

Urban Minor Arterial

Urban Major Collector

Urban Minor Collector

Urban Local Road or Street

Other
Highway Safety Improvement Program Reporting Guidance

Date Issued: December 29, 2016

Effective Date: 2017 Reporting Cycle 

24

Roadway Ownership

State Highway Agency

County Highway Agency

Town or Township Highway Agency

City or Municipal Highway Agency

State Park, Forest, or Reservation Agency

Local Park, Forest or Reservation Agency

Other State Agency

Other Local Agency

Private (Other than Railroad)

Railroad

State Toll Authority

Local Toll Authority

Other Public Instrumentality (e.g., Airport, School, University)

Indian Tribal Government 

Other