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PUERTO RICO

2019 ANNUAL REPORT

Photo Source: 

Photo image courtesy of PRHTA. 
2019 Puerto Rico Highway Safety Improvement Program

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Table of Contents

Table of Contents.................................................................................................................................. 2

Disclaimer ............................................................................................................................................. 3

Executive Summary .............................................................................................................................. 4

Introduction ........................................................................................................................................... 5

Program Structure................................................................................................................................. 5

Program Administration..................................................................................................................... 5

Program Methodology ....................................................................................................................... 7

Project Implementation .......................................................................................................................11

Funds Programmed.........................................................................................................................11

General Listing of Projects ..............................................................................................................13

Safety Performance ............................................................................................................................16

General Highway Safety Trends......................................................................................................16

Safety Performance Targets............................................................................................................22

Applicability of Special Rules...........................................................................................................25

Evaluation ...........................................................................................................................................26

Program Effectiveness ....................................................................................................................26

Effectiveness of Groupings or Similar Types of Improvements .......................................................27

Project Effectiveness.......................................................................................................................30

Compliance Assessment.....................................................................................................................31
2019 Puerto Rico Highway Safety Improvement Program

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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.”
2019 Puerto Rico Highway Safety Improvement Program

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Executive Summary

The HSIP is responsible for managing the 25% of federal funds allocated for Puerto Rico under the ZP-30 

Fiscal Management Information System program code for highway safety improvement projects. This program 

does not have any subprogram. The SHSP is a key element of the HSIP in Puerto Rico, being responsible of 

coordinating with internal and external partners from all sectors (see Program Structure Flowchart in Optional 

Attachments).

In terms of programmed funds, Puerto Rico obligated $37.1 Million distributed in eight (8) highway safety 

improvement projects. The 37.5% of these projects addressed systemic safety improvements, including 

signing, pavement marking, rumble strips, and guardrails. The other 62.5% were targeted as hot spot approach 

procedure.

The PRHTA performed several crash data analyses to identify potential countermeasures in corridors of the 

Puerto Rico Highway Systems. In addition, Puerto Rico is participating in the Every Day Counts Federal 

Highway Administration (FHWA) Program with the Safe Transportation for Every Pedestrian (STEP) initiative.

Finally, there is no funds allocated for local or tribal roads and for non-infrastructure projects. Allocating federal 

funds to improve highway safety through the State highway system had been essential to stop the increase in 

the number of fatal and injury crashes in Puerto Rico. The traffic fatalities data from 2014 to 2016 

demonstrated that Puerto Rico was experiencing a consistent reduction until 2017. The increase in fatalities 

continued during 2018, which is why the combined efforts of the safety stakeholders have worked together to 

reduce these values during the year 2019.

Finally, the PRHTA, together with the PRTSC and all safety stakeholders around the island, started the update 

of the new SHSP 2019-2023 in the last quarter of year 2018. This SHSP Update Process began with a Study 

of Emphasis Areas where the best databases of crashes, injuries transported in ambulances and fatalities 

were used to define the most pressing road safety needs of Puerto Rico. This study recommended about 

seven (7) areas of emphasis for the new SHSP 2019-2023, two less than the previous SHSP, with the intention 

of focusing road safety efforts more effectively in the next five (5) years. The update efforts continued during 

2019 in order to have it ready before July 2019 and in compliance with federal regulation.
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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 Reporting Guidance dated December 29, 2016 and consists of five sections: program structure, 

progress in implementing highway safety improvement projects, progress in achieving safety 

outcomes and performance targets, effectiveness of the improvements and compliance assessment.

Program Structure

Program Administration

Describe the general structure of the HSIP in the State. 

The Puerto Rico Highway and Transportation Authority (PRHTA) manages a Highway Safety Improvement 

Program (HSIP) focused on the development of safety improvement projects. As part of this program, PRHTA 

is implementing a Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP) since 2014. PRHTA uses local and federal funds to 

implement highway safety improvement projects. 

Under the title 23 U.S.C. Section 165, Territorial and Puerto Rico Highway Program, Puerto Rico is authorized 

to receive $158,000,000 annually for fiscal years 2016 through 2020. The responsible agency for receiving 

these funds is the PRHTA. From these funds, the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) is responsible 

for managing the 25% under the ZP-30 Fiscal Management Information System program code for highway 

safety improvement projects. Additionally, the PRHTA applies ZP-40 Section 154 Penalty (Open Container 

Requirements) and ZP-50 Section 164 Penalty (Minimum Penalties for Repeated Offenders) funds to HSIP 

eligible activities. 

The project selection is summarized in the following steps:

• Crash data collection in the Puerto Rico Department of Transportation and Public Works (PRDTPW). 

• Development of the High Crash Location (HCL) Report. In this report, the PRHTA establishes the list of 

high crash locations by corridors, segments, and intersections. 

• Evaluations of the high crash locations identified to determine the highway safety improvement projects 

to be included in the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). Those projects are 

divided into systemic or hot spot approach. This evaluation considers the use of funds through to the 

five (5) PRHTA Regions. 

• Selection of consultants for the development of PS&E in compliance with the latest engineering 

standards in Puerto Rico. 

• Inclusion of the highway safety improvement projects in the STIP for the evaluation and approval of the 

Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). 

• Bidding and construction processes. 

Where is HSIP staff located within the State DOT? 

 Engineering

How are HSIP funds allocated in a State? 

• SHSP Emphasis Area Data 
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• Other-Crash Analysis

The Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) is responsible for managing the 25% under the ZP-30 

Fiscal Management Information System program code for highway safety improvement projects. The project 

selection is summarized in the following steps:

• Development of the High Crash Location (HCL) Report. In this report, the PRHTA establishes the list of 

high crash locations by corridors, segments, and intersections. Also, an analysis of corridors per SHSP 

Emphasis Area is done to help us in the establishment of priorities in the obligation of federal funds. 

• Evaluations of the high crash locations identified to determine the highway safety improvement projects 

to be included in the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). Those projects are 

divided into systemic or hot spot approach. This evaluation considers the use of funds through to the 

five (5) PRHTA Regions. 

• Inclusion of the highway safety improvement projects in the STIP for the evaluation and approval of the 

Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). 

Describe how local and tribal roads are addressed as part of HSIP. 

In Puerto Rico, local roads are addressed by municipalities. As part of the Strategic Highway Safety Plan 

(SHSP) the municipalities are invited to participate in the emphasis areas meetings’ discussion to provide 

information about the highway safety of their roads. If there is a safety problem in the local roads, the PRHTA 

provide technical resources to find countermeasures and encourage a reduction in the severe crashes.

Puerto Rico does not have tribal roads, thus is not applicable.

Identify which internal partners (e.g., State departments of transportation (DOTs) 

Bureaus, Divisions) are involved with HSIP planning. 

• Design

• Operations

• Planning

• Traffic Engineering/Safety

Describe coordination with internal partners. 

The PRHTA Office Directors held several meetings to coordinate the selection and integration of their 

programs using a data driven process. Some of the internal partners are Planning and Programming Area, 

Design Area, and Traffic Engineering and Operations Area, among others. 

Identify which external partners are involved with HSIP planning. 

• Academia/University

• FHWA

• Governors Highway Safety Office

• Law Enforcement Agency

• Local Government Agency 

• Local Technical Assistance Program

• Regional Planning Organizations (e.g. MPOs, RPOs, COGs)

• Other-Non-profit organizations
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Describe coordination with external partners. 

As part of the Puerto Rico SHSP, the external partners can discuss and participate in quarterly meetings, and 

road safety audits, among other events. Through the Emphasis Areas Teams Meetings (i.e. roadway 

departure, vulnerable road users, intersections, young drivers, alcohol impaired driving, and aggressive 

driving) these partners collaborate in the progress of the Puerto Rico SHSP. In addition, some of them 

participate in the road safety evaluations supporting the decision-making processes of the highway safety 

improvement projects. The development and implementation of the Puerto Rico SHSP is funded through the 

HSIP.

The PRHTA (HSIP) coordinates with the Puerto Rico Traffic Safety Commission (PRTSC) and the Automobile 

Accident Compensation Administration (ACAA, by its Spanish Acronym) the crash data used to establish 

performance measures and the data-driven highway safety improvement projects. The PRTSC is responsible 

of managing the Puerto Rico Fatalities database through the Planning Area and for the CARE software 

(software created to access and analyze the Puerto Rico crash data) developed by the University of Alabama 

and managed by the Carlos Albizu University (San Juan, Puerto Rico). The ACAA provides the number of 

injured people that were transported in an ambulance because of a traffic crash.

The ALIANZA (Spanish name for the coalition of the third sector, including several non-profit and professional 

organizations) has been working together to enhance their participation into the Puerto Rico SHSP. The HSIP 

promote this alliance by encouraging them to unite efforts and providing technical references for their studies 

and activities (i.e. statistical crash analysis and profile of pedestrian crashes).

Describe other aspects of HSIP Administration on which the State would like to 

elaborate. 

The PRHTA continue the methodology for choosing the safety improvement projects combining the PRHTA’s 

crash data, within the High Crash Location Report, and the PRHTA’s pavement condition database.

Program Methodology

Does the State have an HSIP manual or similar that clearly describes HSIP planning, 

implementation and evaluation processes?

No

The PRHTA is being increasingly using the best and pertinent data available since the approval of the Puerto 

Rico SHSP in July 2014. The data has helped to develop studies and evaluation of the performance measures, 

among others. As mentioned before, the PRHTA is performing a process to define the highway safety 

improvement projects. PRHTA’s executive and supporting decision makers, consider a broad spectrum of 

information (i.e., HCLR, previous projects) to identify the list of project’s candidates (see High Crash Location 

Methodology in the Optional Attachments). The result of this evaluation, where the priorities from all the 

PRHTA programs are considered, is a plan of integrated projects by funding designation. The decision makers 

recommend a fund designation to each project candidate based on all the information available. For example, 

if the site was included based on the poor pavement condition, it shall be classified under the Pavement 

Program Funding, but project scope will also include the necessary highway safety improvements. In cases 

where the data shows a good pavement condition and a good bridge condition of a High Crash Location, the 

site will be classified under the ZP-30 funding class (HSIP funds). The top management officials decided to 

develop an accelerated highway design program to fasten the design process of projects meeting the 

Categorical Exclusion criteria. To include a project into this program, the executive level consults the 
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Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for their approval. Then, PRHTA contracts design firms to prepare 

the Preliminary Engineering Reports (PER) and the Abbreviated Plans, Specifications, and Estimate (APS&E). 

These documents are used for the bidding and construction processes. Finally, PRHTA evaluates the

effectiveness of the countermeasures implemented performing Before and After Studies.

Select the programs that are administered under the HSIP. 

• HSIP (no subprograms)

Program: HSIP (no subprograms)

Date of Program Methodology:7/1/2017

What is the justification for this program? 

• Addresses SHSP priority or emphasis area

• FHWA focused approach to safety

What is the funding approach for this program? 

Funding set-aside

What data types were used in the program methodology? 

Crashes Exposure Roadway 

Fatal and serious injury crashes only Lane miles Functional classification 

What project identification methodology was used for this program? 

• Crash frequency

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

program? 

No

Are local road projects identified using the same methodology as state roads? 

How are projects under this program 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 
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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 

Available funding:100

Total Relative Weight:100

What percentage of HSIP funds address systemic improvements? 

 37.5

 HSIP funds are used to address which of the following systemic improvements? 

• Add/Upgrade/Modify/Remove Traffic Signal

• High friction surface treatment

• Install/Improve Pavement Marking and/or Delineation

• Install/Improve Signing

• Rumble Strips

• Upgrade Guard Rails

What process is used to identify potential countermeasures? 

• Crash data analysis

• Data-driven safety analysis tools (HSM, CMF Clearinghouse, SafetyAnalyst, usRAP)

• Engineering Study

• Road Safety Assessment

• SHSP/Local road safety plan

• Stakeholder input

Does the State HSIP consider connected vehicles and ITS technologies? 

Yes

Describe how the State HSIP considers connected vehicles and ITS technologies. 

If a safety project recommends ITS technology as part of the countermeasures proposed, PRHTA will propose 

the use of HSIP funds for the development and implementation of the technology (i.e. traffic signal, dynamic 

message sign, TMC).

Does the State use the Highway Safety Manual to support HSIP efforts? 

Yes

Please describe how the State uses the HSM to support HSIP efforts. 

The PRHTA used the HSM as a reference to develop current procedures to determine the high crash 

locations, perform the Before and After studies, and develop the Puerto Rico Crash Modification Factors 

database. The PRHTA methodology for determining the high crash locations (HCL report) includes a Crash 

Cost Factor (CCF) and a Frequency Index (FI), corresponding to the Crash Rate and Severity Index presented 

in the HSM. PRHTA have not been able to use the HSM in the full extends because the KABCO injury 
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classification is not implemented in Puerto Rico and the traffic data is very limited. The crash costs used for 

determining the CCF and for the justification of highway safety improvement projects are those included in the 

HSM. Currently, the process for performing the Before and After studies was based on the process contained 

in the HSM, except for those elements that were limited by the local available data. PRHTA participated in the 

Data-Driven Safety Analysis FHWA Initiative. As part of this initiative, a series of workshops to enhance the 

technical knowledge of the professional community (internal and external) on the application of the HSM in 

Puerto Rico were provided during the year 2018.

Describe other aspects of the HSIP methodology on which the State would like to 

elaborate. 

As part of the methodology of the HSIP, the PRHTA participate in several activities that includes education, 

enforcement, emergency medical response, and engineering. The PRHTA is fully supporting the efforts of the 

Puerto Rico Police and the Traffic Records Coordinating Committee in developing the digital crash form. This 

effort will help the PRHTA to perform a faster and accurate crash analysis. In addition, the PRHTA participated 

in activities related to the academia, where the message of highway safety and its problems was taken directly 

to the engineering students looking for new ideas and creating awareness between them. Also, the PRHTA 

had promoted an educational campaign of the PRTSC targeted to aggressive drivers among the safety 

stakeholders and public. 

Other activities supported by the HSIP methodology includes trainings for road safety educators on issues of 

penalties for driving under the influence of alcohol and how an educator should prepare to create an effective 

presentation. Also, support was provided to alliances in the third sector with the objective of following up on the 

SHSP Action Plan strategies and coordinating joint activities. In addition, the HSIP supports and shares, 

through the SHSP efforts, the educational campaigns of the PRHTA, such as drunk drivers, creation and 

distribution of educational material in car dealerships, and impact on crosswalks, among others.

In terms of technical activities, several seminars have been supported, such as High-Friction Surface 

Treatment and the Interactive Highway Safety Design Model application. 
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Project Implementation

Funds Programmed

Reporting period for HSIP funding. 

Calendar Year

From January 1 to December 31, 2018.

Enter the programmed and obligated funding for each applicable funding category. 

FUNDING CATEGORY PROGRAMMED OBLIGATED % 

OBLIGATED/PROGRAMMED

HSIP (23 U.S.C. 148) $39,500,000 $37,110,924 93.95%

HRRR Special Rule (23 

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

$0 $0 0%

Penalty Funds (23 U.S.C. 

154)

$1,600,000 $0 0%

Penalty Funds (23 U.S.C. 

164)

$1,600,000 $0 0%

RHCP (for HSIP 

purposes) (23 U.S.C. 

130(e)(2))

$0 $0 0%

Other Federal-aid Funds 

(i.e. STBG, NHPP)

$0 $0 0%

State and Local Funds $0 $0 0%

Totals $42,700,000 $37,110,924 86.91%

How much funding is programmed to local (non-state owned and operated) or tribal 

safety projects?

$0

How much funding is obligated to local or tribal safety projects? 

$0

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

$0

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

$0

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

during the reporting period under 23 U.S.C. 126? 

$0
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How much funding was transferred out of the HSIP to other core program areas during 

the reporting period under 23 U.S.C. 126? 

$0

Discuss impediments to obligating HSIP funds and plans to overcome this challenge in 

the future. 

There were no major impediments to obligate the HSIP funds in this period, except for the penalty funds that 

were not obligated due a redistribution of funds from the previous federal fiscal year (as shown in the Q23). 

Describe any other aspects of the State’s progress in implementing HSIP projects on 

which the State would like to elaborate. 

PRHTA is developing a highway safety culture by including highway safety improvement in all projects 

independently of the project scope and the corresponding allocated program. Also, at the end of 2018, Puerto 

Rico selected the Every Day Counts’ Safe Transportation for Every Pedestrian (STEP) initiative to identify 

countermeasures in order to reduce the pedestrian fatalities due to traffic crashes. This action will encourage 

the PRHTA to evaluate projects aimed at pedestrian facilities as part of the HSIP investment.
2019 Puerto Rico Highway Safety Improvement Program

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General Listing of Projects

List the projects obligated using HSIP funds for the reporting period. 

PROJECT 

NAME

IMPROVEMENT 

CATEGORY SUBCATEGORY OUTPUTS OUTPUT TYPE

HSIP 

PROJECT 

COST($)

TOTAL 

PROJECT 

COST($)

FUNDING 

CATEGORY

LAND 

USE/AREA 

TYPE

FUNCTIONAL 

CLASSIFICATION AADT SPEED OWNERSHIP

METHOD 

FOR SITE 

SELECTION

SHSP 

EMPHASIS 

AREA

SHSP 

STRATEGY

Safety 

Improvements 

PR-173 Km 

0.0 to Km 9.0 

(AC-017333)

Roadside Barrier- metal 4 Miles $2695587.95 $2753313.75 HSIP (23 

U.S.C. 148)

Rural Minor Collector 9,219 25 State 

Highway 

Agency

Systemic Roadway 

Departure

Implement 

engineering 

measures to 

remove 

and/or shield 

fixed-objects 

located 

within 

roadside 

clear 

recovery 

area in 

accordance 

with current 

standards

Safety 

Improvements 

PR-102 Km 

7.6 to Km 17.6 

(AC-010272)

Roadway 

delineation

Longitudinal 

pavement 

markings - 

remarking

6 Miles $2960790.8 $2960790.8 HSIP (23 

U.S.C. 148)

Rural Minor Arterial 6,650 25 State 

Highway 

Agency

Systemic Roadway 

Departure

Implement 

engineering 

measures to 

remove 

and/or shield 

fixed-objects 

located 

within 

roadside 

clear 

recovery 

area in 

accordance 

with current 

standards

Safety 

Improvements 

PR-10 Km 0 

to Km 29.8 

(AC-100088)

Roadway Rumble strips - 

center

8 Miles $17159629.3 $17260719.3 HSIP (23 

U.S.C. 148)

Rural Principal ArterialOther15,000 55 State 

Highway 

Agency

Systemic Roadway 

Departure

Implement 

engineering 

measures to 

remove 

and/or shield 

fixed-objects 

located 

within 

roadside 

clear 

recovery 

area in 

accordance 

with current 

standards

Managed 

Lines or 

Dynamic Toll 

Roadway Roadway 

widening - add 

2 Lanes $5600000 $21033731.13 HSIP (23 

U.S.C. 148)

Urban Principal ArterialInterstate0 55 State 

Highway 

Agency

Spot Roadway 

Departure

Implement 

engineering 

measures to 
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PROJECT 

NAME

IMPROVEMENT 

CATEGORY SUBCATEGORY OUTPUTS OUTPUT TYPE

HSIP 

PROJECT 

COST($)

TOTAL 

PROJECT 

COST($)

FUNDING 

CATEGORY

LAND 

USE/AREA 

TYPE

FUNCTIONAL 

CLASSIFICATION AADT SPEED OWNERSHIP

METHOD 

FOR SITE 

SELECTION

SHSP 

EMPHASIS 

AREA

SHSP 

STRATEGY

Lanes PR-52 

Phase II Unit 

1 (AC520131)

lane(s) along 

segment

remove 

and/or shield 

fixed-objects 

located 

within 

roadside 

clear 

recovery 

area in 

accordance 

with current 

standards

Managed 

Lines or 

Dynamic Toll 

Lanes PR-52 

Phase II Unit 

2 (AC520143)

Roadway Roadway 

widening - add 

lane(s) along 

segment

2 Lanes $2852859.34 $13352665.98 HSIP (23 

U.S.C. 148)

Urban Principal ArterialInterstate0 55 State 

Highway 

Agency

Spot Roadway 

Departure

Implement 

engineering 

measures to 

remove 

and/or shield 

fixed-objects 

located 

within 

roadside 

clear 

recovery 

area in 

accordance 

with current 

standards

Managed 

Lines or 

Dynamic Toll 

Lanes PR-18 

Phase III Unit 

1 (AC001870)

Roadway Roadway 

widening - add 

lane(s) along 

segment

2 Lanes $1179384.84 $5882790.06 HSIP (23 

U.S.C. 148)

Urban Principal ArterialInterstate0 50 State 

Highway 

Agency

Spot Roadway 

Departure

Implement 

engineering 

measures to 

remove 

and/or shield 

fixed-objects 

located 

within 

roadside 

clear 

recovery 

area in 

accordance 

with current 

standards

Managed 

Lines or 

Dynamic Toll 

Lanes PR-18 

Phase III Unit 

2 (AC001872)

Roadway Roadway 

widening - add 

lane(s) along 

segment

2 Lanes $1559609.97 $7277144.46 HSIP (23 

U.S.C. 148)

Urban Principal ArterialInterstate0 50 State 

Highway 

Agency

Spot Roadway 

Departure

Implement 

engineering 

measures to 

remove 

and/or shield 

fixed-objects 

located 

within 

roadside 

clear 
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PROJECT 

NAME

IMPROVEMENT 

CATEGORY SUBCATEGORY OUTPUTS OUTPUT TYPE

HSIP 

PROJECT 

COST($)

TOTAL 

PROJECT 

COST($)

FUNDING 

CATEGORY

LAND 

USE/AREA 

TYPE

FUNCTIONAL 

CLASSIFICATION AADT SPEED OWNERSHIP

METHOD 

FOR SITE 

SELECTION

SHSP 

EMPHASIS 

AREA

SHSP 

STRATEGY

recovery 

area in 

accordance 

with current 

standards

Managed 

Lines or 

Dynamic Toll 

Lanes PR-52 

Phase III Unit 

3 (AC800534)

Roadway Roadway 

widening - add 

lane(s) along 

segment

2 Lanes $3103061.52 $15327639.56 HSIP (23 

U.S.C. 148)

Urban Principal ArterialInterstate0 55 State 

Highway 

Agency

Spot Roadway 

Departure

Implement 

engineering 

measures to 

remove 

and/or shield 

fixed-objects 

located 

within 

roadside 

clear

recovery 

area in 

accordance 

with current 

standards
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Safety Performance

General Highway Safety Trends

Present data showing the general highway safety trends in the State for the past five 

years.

PERFORMANCE 

MEASURES 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Fatalities 340 361 366 344 304 310 279 290 308

Serious Injuries 5,838 6,449 5,551 3,705 4,040 4,199 4,267 3,024 4,290

Fatality rate (per 

HMVMT)

1.830 1.940 1.970 1.850 2.090 2.130 1.920 1.930 1.950

Serious injury rate (per 

HMVMT)

31.423 34.657 29.878 19.925 27.776 28.851 29.300 20.150 27.180

Number nonmotorized fatalities116 118 128 98 107 112 98 108 125

Number of nonmotorized serious 

injuries

732 864 631 431 478 400 369 248 418
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0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Annual Fatalities

Fatalities 5 Year Rolling Avg.

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

7000

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Annual Serious Injuries

Serious Injuries 5 Year Rolling Avg.
2019 Puerto Rico Highway Safety Improvement Program

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1.65

1.7

1.75

1.8

1.85

1.9

1.95

2

2.05

2.1

2.15

2.2

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Fatality rate (per HMVMT)

Fatality rate (per HMVMT) 5 Year Rolling Avg.

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Serious injury rate (per HMVMT)

Serious injury rate (per HMVMT) 5 Year Rolling Avg.
2019 Puerto Rico Highway Safety Improvement Program

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Describe fatality data source. 

FARS

To the maximum extent possible, present this data by functional classification and 

ownership. 

Year 2016

Functional 

Classification

Number of Fatalities

 (5-yr avg)

Number of Serious 

Injuries

 (5-yr avg)

Fatality Rate

(per HMVMT)

 (5-yr avg)

Serious Injury Rate

(per HMVMT)

 (5-yr avg)

Rural Principal 

Arterial (RPA) - 

Interstate

0 0 0 0

Rural Principal 

Arterial (RPA) - Other 

Freeways and 

Expressways

0 0 0 0

Rural Principal 

Arterial (RPA) - Other

0 0 0 0

Rural Minor Arterial 0 0 0 0

Rural Minor Collector 0 0 0 0

Rural Major Collector 0 0 0 0

Rural Local Road or 

Street

0 0 0 0

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Non Motorized Fatalities and Serious Injuries

Fatalities Serious Injuries 5 Year Rolling Avg.
2019 Puerto Rico Highway Safety Improvement Program

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Functional 

Classification

Number of Fatalities

 (5-yr avg)

Number of Serious 

Injuries

 (5-yr avg)

Fatality Rate

(per HMVMT)

 (5-yr avg)

Serious Injury Rate

(per HMVMT)

 (5-yr avg)

Urban Principal 

Arterial (UPA) - 

Interstate

0 0 0 0

Urban Principal 

Arterial (UPA) - Other 

Freeways and 

Expressways

0 0 0 0

Urban Principal 

Arterial (UPA) - Other

0 0 0 0

Urban Minor Arterial 0 0 0 0

Urban Minor Collector 0 0 0 0

Urban Major Collector 0 0 0 0

Urban Local Road or 

Street

0 0 0 0
2019 Puerto Rico Highway Safety Improvement Program

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Year 2018

Roadways Number of Fatalities

 (5-yr avg)

Number of Serious 

Injuries

 (5-yr avg)

Fatality Rate

(per HMVMT)

 (5-yr avg)

Serious Injury Rate

(per HMVMT)

 (5-yr avg)

State Highway 

Agency

298.2 3,964 2 26.65

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 Tribe Nation

In the present, Puerto Rico's crash and HPMS (Highway Performance Monitoring System) databases aren't 

integrated. This limitation in the integration of databases doesn't permit Puerto Rico to provide the information 

of crashes per functional classification. At the beginning of year 2019, the Office of Accident Analysis (OAA) in 

the Puerto Rico Department of Transportation began to collect the data of functional classification in the crash 

database. The personnel of OAA compare the crash location in the crash form with the functional classification 

of the road in the HPMS report. Puerto Rico expects to provide information of the crashes per functional 

classification in the years to come.

Provide additional discussion related to general highway safety trends.

Since 2018, the PRHTA is reporting the same values of the Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) reported by FHWA. 

This action was taken to be in accordance with the requirements that NHTSA requested to the PRTSC. This 
2019 Puerto Rico Highway Safety Improvement Program

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change may affect several performance measures values, such as fatality and serious injury rate, due to new 

and forecasted values of VMT from 2016 to 2018.

In addition, the Puerto Rico Police is in the middle of a transition to a digital crash report form. The transition 

will finish in October 2019, where 100% of the police officers are expected to fill out the crash report digitally. 

The benefits of this digital crash report form are that it includes new information fields such as the KABCO 

injury classification scale and the definition of serious injuries according to the MMUCC.

Safety Performance Targets

Safety Performance Targets 

Calendar Year 2020 Targets *

Number of Fatalities:292.0

Describe the basis for established target, including how it supports SHSP goals.

The database used to forecast the number of fatalities was the Puerto Rico FARS Database. The 

years considered during the analysis were from 2008 to 2018. To obtain the safety performance 

target of the number of fatalities, it was analyzed several trendline options (i.e., exponential, linear, 

logarithmic, polynomial, and power) to forecast the 2020 fatalities. In addition, because the next year 

(2020) is an election year in Puerto Rico, the fatality forecast must take into consideration an analysis 

of historical data, with emphasis on the behavior in the past election events. The analysis of the 

historical data from 1975 until 2018, shows that in every election year Puerto Rico experience an 

average increase of 7 traffic fatalities. After having selected a power trendline of y = 455x^ (-0.174), 

with an R2=86.2%, and take into consideration the historical data analysis, the forecast for the 2020 

5-year moving average safety performance target is 292.0.

Number of Serious Injuries:3983.0

Describe the basis for established target, including how it supports SHSP goals.

The database used to forecast the number of serious injuries was the Automobile Accident 

Compensation Administration (ACAA, by its Spanish acronym). The years considered during the 

analysis were from 2007 to 2018. To obtain the safety performance target of the number of serious 

injuries, it was analyzed several trendline options (i.e. exponential, linear, logarithmic, polynomial, and 

power) to forecast the 2020 serious injuries. After having selected a logarithmic trendline of y = -2,093 

ln(x) + 8842, with an R2=87.0%, the forecast of the 2020 5-year moving average safety performance 

target for the number of serious injuries is 3,983.

Fatality Rate:1.913

Describe the basis for established target, including how it supports SHSP goals.

The database used to forecast the fatality rate were from the Puerto Rico FARS Database and the 

values of the Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) reported by Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The 

years considered during the analysis were from 2008 to 2018, for the Puerto Rico FARS Database, 

and from 2007 to 2017, for the FHWA VMT. The fatality rate forecast is based on the 2020 5-yr MA of 

fatalities and VMT. Also, it was analyzed several trendline options (i.e. exponential, linear, 
2019 Puerto Rico Highway Safety Improvement Program

Page 23 of 35

logarithmic, polynomial, and power) to forecast the 2020 fatality rate. After having selected a power 

trendline of y=455x^ (-0.174), with a R2=86.2%, while the VMT forecast uses a logarithmic trendline 

of y =-21.59ln(x) + 207.56, with a R2=57.6%, the 5-year moving average (5-yr MA) for the 2020 

fatality rate was forecasted to 1.913.

Serious Injury Rate:26.082

Describe the basis for established target, including how it supports SHSP goals.

The database used to forecast the serious injury rate were from the Automobile Accident 

Compensation Administration (ACAA, by its Spanish acronym) and the values of the Vehicle Miles 

Traveled (VMT) reported by Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The years considered during 

the analysis were from 2008 to 2018, for the ACAA Database, and from 2007 to 2017, for the FHWA 

VMT. The serious injury rate forecast is based on the 2020 5-yr MA for serious injuries and VMT. 

Also, it was analyzed several trendline options (i.e. exponential, linear, logarithmic, polynomial, and 

power) to forecast the 2020 serious injury rate. After having selected a logarithmic trendline of y = -

2093ln(x) + 8842, with a R2=87%, while the VMT forecast uses a logarithmic trendline of y = -

21.59ln(x) + 207.56, with a R2=57.6%, the 5-year moving average (5-yr MA) for the 2020 serious 

injury rate was forecasted to 26.082.

Total Number of Non-Motorized Fatalities and Serious Injuries:445.0

Describe the basis for established target, including how it supports SHSP goals.

The databases used to forecast the number of non-motorized fatalities and serious injuries were the 

Puerto Rico FARS Database, for the fatalities, and the Automobile Accident Compensation 

Administration (ACAA, by its Spanish acronym), for the serious injuries. The years considered during 

the analysis were from 2008 to 2018, for the Puerto Rico FARS Database, and from 2008 to 2018, for 

the ACAA Database. To obtain the safety performance target of the number of non-motorized 

fatalities and serious injuries, it was analyzed several trendline options (i.e., exponential, linear, 

logarithmic, polynomial, and power) to forecast the 2020 non-motorized fatalities and serious injuries. 

After having selected a logarithmic trendline of y = -272.4 ln(x) + 1069.3, with an R2=79.7%, the 5-

year moving average (5-yr MA) for the 2020 non-motorized fatalities and serious injuries is 445.0.

Describe efforts to coordinate with other stakeholders (e.g. MPOs, SHSO) to establish 

safety performance targets. 

During this reporting period, Puerto Rico defined the safety performance targets for 2020 in a close 

coordination with the Federal Program Manager of the Planning Division of the PRTSC. This coordination 

consisted in several meetings during May 2019, where technical personnel of the PRHTA, the Puerto Rico 

SHSP and the PRTSC analyzed the trends and forecasts for each one of the safety performances targets. 

From this meetings and analyses, were established the traffic safety performance measures, or core 

outcomes, for the Puerto Rico Highway Safety Plan that is required by NHTSA.

In addition, following FHWA Rule 23 CFR 490, the target reported to 2019 were submitted by letter to the 

Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO) and the PRHTA performed a meeting with them to receive the 

approval of the targets. On January 17, 2018, the PRHTA’s Highway Safety Office, presented the SHSP’s 

safety targets for the five (5) performance measures reported. The MPO had two (2) alternatives upon this 

decision: (1) agree with the safety target settings established for the SHSP, or (2) commit with new targets for 
2019 Puerto Rico Highway Safety Improvement Program

Page 24 of 35

the MPO. After consulting the Puerto Rico’s MPOs, all the SHSP safety targets for 2019 were approved. Thus, 

the MPOs adopted the safety targets of the Puerto Rico SHSP.

Does the State want to report additional optional targets? 

No

Not Applicable.

Describe progress toward meeting the State’s 2018 Safety Performance Targets (based 

on data available at the time of reporting). For each target, include a discussion of any 

reasons for differences in the actual outcomes and targets. 

Safety Performance Targets 2018 Targets 2018 Results Change %

Number of Fatalities 292.2 298.2 2.1%

Number of Serious Injuries 4079 3964 -2.8%

Fatality Rate 1.69 2.01 18.9%

Serious Injury Rate 23.51 26.65 13.4%

Number of Non-Mot F+SI 564 493 -12.6%

Number of Fatalities

The PRHTA established for the 2018 target a 5-yr MA of the number of fatalities the value of 292.2 and the 

result was 298.2. There are several reasons to explain the difference between the 2018 target and outcome. 

The number of fatalities increase from 290 in 2017 to 308 in 2018 due to the aftermath after María, where the 

highway condition Islandwide presented landslides, collapsed bridges, non-operational traffic signals, debris in 

the transportation facilities, and lack of lighting to all the road users. The Police enforcement efforts during 

2018 were compromised to the recovery plan established by the government of Puerto Rico as part of the 

hurricane impact.

Number of Serious Injuries

The 5-year MA of the number of serious injuries shown a positive difference between the 2018 target and 

outcome. The PRHTA and the safety stakeholders will continue with the implementation of the safety efforts to 

achieve proposed targets and goals in the next years.

Fatality Rate

The PRHTA established for the 2018 target a 5-yr MA of fatality rate the value of 1.69 and the result was 2.01. 

There are two main reasons for this difference. First, the number of fatalities dramatically increase as we 

explain in the number of fatalities safety performance targets. Second, since 2018, the PRHTA has been 

reporting the same values of the Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) reported by FHWA. This action was taken to be 

in accordance with the requirements that NHTSA requested to the PRTSC. This change affected several 

performance measures values, such as fatality and serious injury rate, due to new and forecasted values of 

VMT from 2016 to 2018.

Serious Injury Rate
2019 Puerto Rico Highway Safety Improvement Program

Page 25 of 35

The PRHTA established for the 2018 target a 5-yr MA of serious injuries rate the value of 23.51 and the result 

was 26.65. The main reason for this difference is that the PRHTA has been reporting the same values of the 

Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) reported by FHWA. This action was taken to be in accordance with the 

requirements that NHTSA requested to the PRTSC. This change affected several performance measures 

values, such as fatality and serious injury rate, due to new and forecasted values of VMT from 2016 to 2018.

Number of Non-Motorized F+SI

The 5-year MA of the number of serious injuries shown a positive difference between the 2018 target and 

outcome. The PRHTA and the safety stakeholders will continue with the implementation of the safety efforts to 

achieve proposed targets and goals in the next years.

Applicability of Special Rules

Does the HRRR special rule apply to the State for this reporting period? 

No 

Provide the number of older driver and pedestrian fatalities and serious injuries 65 

years of age and older for the past seven years. 

PERFORMANCE 

MEASURES 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Number of Older Driver 

and Pedestrian Fatalities

49 59 49 42 55 76 50

Number of Older Driver 

and Pedestrian Serious 

Injuries

496 449 337 402 457 495 514
2019 Puerto Rico Highway Safety Improvement Program

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Evaluation

Program Effectiveness

How does the State measure effectiveness of the HSIP? 

• Other-Comparison in the number of fatalities and serious injuries

The PRHTA and safety stakeholders evaluate and compare every day the number of fatalities and serious 

injuries with the established targets and the values obtained in previous years.

Based on the measures of effectiveness selected previously, describe the results of 

the State's program level evaluations. 

The PRHTA established for the 2018 target a 5-yr MA of the number of fatalities the value of 292.2 and the 

result was 298.2. There are several reasons to explain the difference between the 2018 target and outcome. 

The number of fatalities increase from 290 in 2017 to 308 in 2018 due to the aftermath after María, where the 

highway condition Islandwide presented landslides, collapsed bridges, non-operational traffic signals, debris in 

the transportation facilities, and lack of lighting to all the road users. The Police enforcement efforts during 

2018 were compromised to the recovery plan established by the government of Puerto Rico as part of the 

hurricane impact. 

The 5-year MA of the number of serious injuries shown a positive difference between the 2018 target and 

outcome. The PRHTA and the safety stakeholders will continue with the implementation of the safety efforts to 

achieve proposed targets and goals in the next years.

What other indicators of success does the State use to demonstrate effectiveness and 

success of the Highway Safety Improvement Program? 

• # RSAs completed

• HSIP Obligations

• Increased awareness of safety and data-driven process

The three indicators of success in Puerto Rico are the following:

1- # RSAs completed - the Road Safety Audits/Evaluations are formal safety performance examination of an 

existing or future road or intersection by a multidisciplinary team. This process provides a report identifying the 

safety issues and possible countermeasures to reduce the number of severe crashes in the highway 

infrastructure. In the year 2018, Puerto Rico developed three (3) Road Safety Evaluations in highways PR-173, 

PR-102, and PR-10 that were included as safety projects in the HSIP.

2- HSIP Obligations - provide the information of federal funds that will be invested in the highway infrastructure. 

During year 2018, the 94% of the programmed federal funds where obligates in eight (8) projects. 

3- Increased awareness of safety and data-driven process - the safety area is characterized to be a datadriven process. In Puerto Rico the analysis of safety data has improved in the latest years, as part of the SHSP 

development and implementation. During Every Day Counts (EDC) round 4, Puerto Rico selected Data Driven 

Safety Analysis (DDSA) as one of the initiative to be implemented in the DOT. This initiative will help us to 

identify high crash locations and to develop projects in a systemic way to support the performance measures 

that were identified in the SHSP and HSIP report. In the year 2018, Puerto Rico DOT continued the education 

of transportation professionals in the DDSA initiative with a training of the Highway Safety Manual.
2019 Puerto Rico Highway Safety Improvement Program

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Effectiveness of Groupings or Similar Types of Improvements

Present and describe trends in SHSP emphasis area performance measures. 

Year 2018

SHSP Emphasis Area Targeted Crash 

Type

Number of 

Fatalities

(5-yr avg)

Number of 

Serious 

Injuries

(5-yr avg)

Fatality Rate

(per HMVMT)

(5-yr avg)

Serious Injury 

Rate

(per HMVMT)

(5-yr avg)

Roadway Departure 104.4 0.66

Intersections 35.6 0.23

Pedestrians 99.8 342.6 0.63 2.17

Bicyclists 10.2 0.06
2019 Puerto Rico Highway Safety Improvement Program

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0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

Roadway Departure Intersections Pedestrians Bicyclists

Fatalities

Number of Fatalities 

5 Year Average

2010-2014 2011-2015 2012-2016 2013-2017 2014-2018

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

Roadway Departure Intersections Pedestrians Bicyclists

Serious Injuries

Number of Serious Injuries 

5 Year Average

2010-2014 2011-2015 2012-2016 2013-2017 2014-2018
2019 Puerto Rico Highway Safety Improvement Program

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Has the State completed any countermeasure effectiveness evaluations during the 

reporting period? 

No

0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

Roadway Departure Intersections Pedestrians Bicyclists

Fatality Rate

Fatality Rate (per HMVMT) 

5 Year Average

2010-2014 2011-2015 2012-2016 2013-2017 2014-2018

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

3.5

Roadway Departure Intersections Pedestrians Bicyclists

Serious Injury Rate

Serious Injury Rate (per HMVMT) 

5 Year Average

2010-2014 2011-2015 2012-2016 2013-2017 2014-2018
2019 Puerto Rico Highway Safety Improvement Program

Page 30 of 35

Project Effectiveness

Provide the following information for previously implemented projects that the State evaluated this reporting period. 

LOCATION FUNCTIONAL 

CLASS

IMPROVEMENT 

CATEGORY

IMPROVEMENT 

TYPE

PDO

BEFORE

PDO

AFTER

FATALITY

BEFORE

FATALITY

AFTER

SERIOUS 

INJURY

BEFORE

SERIOUS 

INJURY

AFTER

ALL OTHER 

INJURY

BEFORE

ALL OTHER 

INJURY

AFTER

TOTAL

BEFORE

TOTAL

AFTER

EVALUATION 

RESULTS

(BENEFIT/COST 

RATIO)

Not applicable
2019 Puerto Rico Highway Safety Improvement Program

Page 31 of 35

Compliance Assessment

What date was the State’s current SHSP approved by the Governor or designated State representative? 

 07/30/2014

What are the years being covered by the current SHSP? 

From: 2014 To: 2019

When does the State anticipate completing it’s next SHSP update? 

 2019

Provide the current status (percent complete) of MIRE fundamental data elements collection efforts using the table below. 

ROAD TYPE MIRE NAME (MIRE 

NO.)

NON LOCAL PAVED

ROADS - SEGMENT

NON LOCAL PAVED

ROADS - INTERSECTION

NON LOCAL PAVED

ROADS - RAMPS LOCAL PAVED ROADS UNPAVED ROADS

NON-STATE STATE NON-STATE STATE NON-STATE STATE NON-STATE STATE NON-STATE

ROADWAY SEGMENT Segment Identifier 

(12)

100 1.7

Route Number (8) 100

Route/Street Name 

(9)

100

Federal Aid/Route 

Type (21)

100

Rural/Urban 

Designation (20)

100 1.7

Surface Type (23) 100 1.7

Begin Point 

Segment Descriptor 

(10)

100 1.7

End Point Segment 

Descriptor (11)

100 1.7

Segment Length 

(13)

100

Direction of 

Inventory (18)

100

Functional Class 

(19)

100 1.7

Median Type (54) 100

Access Control (22) 100
2019 Puerto Rico Highway Safety Improvement Program

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ROAD TYPE MIRE NAME (MIRE 

NO.)

NON LOCAL PAVED

ROADS - SEGMENT

NON LOCAL PAVED

ROADS - INTERSECTION

NON LOCAL PAVED

ROADS - RAMPS LOCAL PAVED ROADS UNPAVED ROADS

NON-STATE STATE NON-STATE STATE NON-STATE STATE NON-STATE STATE NON-STATE

One/Two Way 

Operations (91)

100

Number of Through 

Lanes (31)

100 1.7

Average Annual 

Daily Traffic (79)

100 1.7

AADT Year (80) 100

Type of 

Governmental 

Ownership (4)

100 1.7

INTERSECTION Unique Junction 

Identifier (120)

Location Identifier 

for Road 1 Crossing 

Point (122)

Location Identifier 

for Road 2 Crossing 

Point (123)

Intersection/Junction 

Geometry (126)

Intersection/Junction 

Traffic Control (131)

AADT for Each 

Intersecting Road 

(79)

AADT Year (80)

Unique Approach 

Identifier (139)

INTERCHANGE/RAMP Unique Interchange 

Identifier (178)

Location Identifier 

for Roadway at 

Beginning of Ramp 

Terminal (197)

Location Identifier 

for Roadway at 

Ending Ramp 

Terminal (201)

Ramp Length (187)
2019 Puerto Rico Highway Safety Improvement Program

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ROAD TYPE MIRE NAME (MIRE 

NO.)

NON LOCAL PAVED

ROADS - SEGMENT

NON LOCAL PAVED

ROADS - INTERSECTION

NON LOCAL PAVED

ROADS - RAMPS LOCAL PAVED ROADS UNPAVED ROADS

NON-STATE STATE NON-STATE STATE NON-STATE STATE NON-STATE STATE NON-STATE

Roadway Type at 

Beginning of Ramp 

Terminal (195)

Roadway Type at 

End Ramp Terminal 

(199)

Interchange Type 

(182)

Ramp AADT (191)

Year of Ramp AADT 

(192)

Functional Class 

(19)

Type of 

Governmental 

Ownership (4)

Totals (Average Percent Complete): 100.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 1.70 0.00 0.00 0.00

*Based on Functional Classification

Describe actions the State will take moving forward to meet the requirement to have complete access to the MIRE fundamental data elements on all public roads by September 30, 2026. 

To achieve the required MIRE FDE for year 2026, Puerto Rico developed the MIRE FDE Action Plan and submitted as part of the Traffic Records Coordinating Committee (TRCC) Action Plan. The PRHTA have several coordination and 

information meetings during this period to discuss the MIRE FDE Action Plan. Based on the aspects discussed, the following actions are important steps to achieve the collection of the MIRE FDE:

Action 1 - Develop the list of roadway segments, intersections, and ramps to be included in the Puerto Rico MIRE FDE database, including GIS. Currently, the PRHTA is planning to obtain the necessary contract to prepare the required 

database (warehouse of the MIRE FDE).

Action 2 - MIRE FDE data gathering. This action has made some progress since the Traffic Data Gathering Office has selected two consultants to simultaneously collect traffic volume data along roadway segments.

Action 3 - MIRE FDE integration with other databases. Programs within the PRHTA and PRTSC need information collected in the MIRE FDE, it becomes important to integrate the MIRE FDE with other updated databases. This will be 

especially valuable for calculating the Vehicle Mile Traveled (VMT); an essential element to determine the Puerto Rico SHSP and HSP performance measures (i.e. fatality rate and serious injury rate).

Did the State conduct an HSIP program assessment during the reporting period? 

No

The PRHTA is planning to perform a HSIP Self-Assessment following the criteria established by the HSIP Assessment Toolbox (FHWA). This Self-Assessment will be implemented every two (2) years with of the SHSP Steering 

Committee.

When does the State plan to complete its next HSIP program assessment.

2020
2019 Puerto Rico Highway Safety Improvement Program

Page 34 of 35

Optional Attachments

Program Structure:

Structural Program HSIP-SHSP.pdf

HCL Methodology.pdf

Project Implementation:

Safety Performance:

2020 HSIP Safety Performance Targets.pdf

Evaluation:

Compliance Assessment:
2019 Puerto Rico Highway Safety Improvement Program

Page 35 of 35

Glossary

5 year rolling average: means the average of five individuals, 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.