Hawaii

Highway Safety Improvement Program

2015 Annual Report

Prepared by: HI
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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.”
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Table of Contents

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

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

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

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

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

Program Methodology.............................................................................................................................. 4

Progress in Implementing Projects............................................................................................................... 9

Funds Programmed............................................................................................................................... 9

General Listing of Projects.................................................................................................................. 12

Progress in Achieving Safety Performance Targets .................................................................................... 13

Overview of General Safety Trends........................................................................................................ 13

Application of Special Rules.................................................................................................................... 28

Assessment of the Effectiveness of the Improvements (Program Evaluation) ..........................................31

SHSP Emphasis Areas.............................................................................................................................. 33

Groups of similar project types............................................................................................................... 38

Systemic Treatments............................................................................................................................... 43

Project Evaluation................................................................................................................................... 49

Glossary....................................................................................................................................................... 51
2015 Hawaii Highway Safety Improvement Program

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Executive Summary

State of Hawaii 2015 U.S.C. 148(g)

Annual Highway Safety Improvement Program Report
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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 MAP-21 Reporting Guidance dated February 13, 2013 and consists 

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

progress in achieving safety performance targets, and assessment of the 

effectiveness of the improvements. 

Program Structure

Program Administration

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

Central

District

Other

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

High accident listings and accident data for county roads are submitted to the county offices for internal 

design use. Local agencies can submit project proposals to be considered on the Statewide 

Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) and the projects can be funded through HSIP funds if they 

are cost-effective. In addition, HRRRP Funds are offered to the counties.

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

Planning

Maintenance

Operations

Governors Highway Safety Office

Other: Other-Highway Safety Office assists with the management of non-infrastructure HSIP funds.

Briefly describe coordination with internal partners. 

The HSIP projects are initiated through the analysis of crash data and traffic volume counts obtained by 

the Planning Branch. The HSIP project locations are evaluated to determine if other projects submitted 

by internal partners (Design, Planning, Maintenance, or Operations) can be coordinated or project scope 

can be incorporated within existing projects.

Internal partners assist with project selection preparation of preliminary project scope through field 

investigations. Partners from the offices of design, maintenance and law enforcement participate in the 

prelimanary project scope.

The Highway Safety Office proposes non-infrastructure projects to be funded through HSIP flex funding.

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

Metropolitan Planning Organizations

Governors Highway Safety Office

Local Government Association

Other: Other-Police departments
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Identify any program administration practices used to implement the HSIP that have changed since 

the last reporting period.

Multi-disciplinary HSIP steering committee

Other: Other-Police involvement in preliminary project scoping.

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

would like to elaborate.

Statewide projects are submitted to be considered on the STIP.

Focus is more on corridor low-cost safety improvements versus black spots.

Program Methodology

Select the programs that are administered under the HSIP. 

Median Barrier Intersection Safe Corridor

Horizontal Curve Bicycle Safety Rural State Highways

Skid Hazard Crash Data Red Light Running Prevention

Roadway Departure Low-Cost Spot Improvements Sign Replacement And 

Improvement

Local Safety Pedestrian Safety Right Angle Crash

Left Turn Crash Shoulder Improvement Segments

Other: 
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Program: Crash Data

Date of Program Methodology: 9/9/2006

 

What data types were used in the program methodology? 

Crashes Exposure Roadway

All crashes Traffic Median width

Fatal crashes only Volume Horizontal curvature

Fatal and serious injury 

crashes only

Population Functional classification

Other Lane miles Roadside features

Other Other 

What project identification methodology was used for this program? 

Crash frequency

Expected crash frequency with EB adjustment

Equivalent property damage only (EPDO Crash frequency)

EPDO crash frequency with EB adjustment

Relative severity index

Crash rate

Critical rate

Level of service of safety (LOSS)
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Excess expected crash frequency using SPFs

Excess expected crash frequency with the EB adjustment

Excess expected crash frequency using method of moments

Probability of specific crash types

Excess proportions of specific crash types

Other-Crash severity

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

Yes

No

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

Yes

No

If no, describe the methodology used to identify local road projects as part of this program.

The listings for county roads are ranked according to the accident frequency instead of the rates 

because of the lack of traffic volume data.

How are highway safety improvement projects advanced for implementation?

Competitive application process

selection committee

Other-Submitted to be included in the STIP. Follow with collaboration with Districts.

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

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

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

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

Relative Weight in Scoring
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Rank of Priority Consideration

Ranking based on B/C 2

Available funding 3

Incremental B/C

Ranking based on net benefit

Cost Effectiveness 1

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

0

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

improvements?

Cable Median Barriers Rumble Strips

Traffic Control Device Rehabilitation Pavement/Shoulder Widening

Install/Improve Signing Install/Improve Pavement Marking and/or 

Delineation

Upgrade Guard Rails Clear Zone Improvements

Safety Edge Install/Improve Lighting

Add/Upgrade/Modify/Remove Traffic Signal Other 
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What process is used to identify potential countermeasures? 

Engineering Study

Road Safety Assessment

Other: 

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

last reporting period.

Highway Safety Manual

Road Safety audits

Systemic Approach

Other: Other-None

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

would like to elaborate. 

During this period, run off roadway and median crossover type accidents were targeted. HDOT is 

currently focusing on reducing fatalities and serious injury type accidents by implementing low-cost 

safety improvement projects along corridors with a history of these types of accidents. In Hawaii. these 

types of accidents have a greater potential of reducing fatalities and serious injury accidents costeffectively, in comparison to "black spot" type projects. HDOT is collaborating with the University of 

Hawaii to develop a Systemic Roadway Departure Plan. With the development of this plan, HDOT hopes 

to address more systemic safety improvements with proven low-cost safety countermeasures.
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Progress in Implementing Projects

Funds Programmed

Reporting period for Highway Safety Improvement Program funding.

Calendar Year

State Fiscal Year

Federal Fiscal Year

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

Funding Category Programmed* Obligated

HSIP (Section 148) 3032384 26 % 3032284 34 %

HRRRP (SAFETEA-LU) 569881 5 % 569881 6 %

HRRR Special Rule

Penalty Transfer -

Section 154

3515406 30 % 2280000 25 %

Penalty Transfer –

Section 164

3515406 30 % 1999613 22 %

Incentive Grants - 

Section 163

Incentive Grants 

(Section 406)

Other Federal-aid 

Funds (i.e. STP, NHPP)

State and Local Funds
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Other Other RHCP 1117780 10 % 1117780 12 %

Totals 11750857 100% 8999558 100%

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

$1,505,485.00

How much funding is obligated to local safety projects?

$509,887.00

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

$3,116,663.00

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

$1,830,000.00

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

period?
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$7,030,812.00

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

period? 

$5,000,000.00

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

overcome this in the future.

The penalty transfer is impacting the HSIP core obligation rate. Our administration plans to introduce 

legislation to attain compliance. We would like to have more projects initiated and assigned for design 

and construction. There is an inability of design staff to handle the workload. Areas such as: 106, rightof-way, and environmental requirements delay projects.

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

progress on which you would like to elaborate.

Progress of all HSIP projects is monitored very closely. HSIP program staff follow-up with project 

managers and fiscal staff on a regular basis to track project schedules and make adjustments and 

modifications to the program to minimize the potential for lapsing funds, as well as spend HSIP funds 

efficiently.
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General Listing of Projects

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

Project Improvement 

Category 

Output HSIP 

Cost

Total 

Cost

Funding 

Category

Functional 

Classification

AADT Speed Roadway 

Ownership

Relationship to 

SHSP

Emphasis 

Area

Strategy

Kamehameha 

Hwy Resurf, 

Dairy Rd to 

Laiewai Br

Roadway 

Rumble strips 

- edge or 

shoulder

8 Miles 1749613 1749613 Penalty 

Transfer –

Section 

164

Urban 

Principal 

Arterial -

Other

9364 45 State 

Highway 

Agency

Lane 

Departure

Install 

rumble 

strips

Koloa Rd 

Safety Imp, 

Mana Hema 

Pl to Omao 

Rd

Roadway 

Rumble strips 

- center

1.7 

Miles

509887 509887 HRRRP 

(SAFETEALU)

Urban Major 

Collector

9248 35 County 

Highway 

Agency

Roadway 

Departure

Install 

rumble 

strips
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Progress in Achieving Safety Performance Targets

Overview of General Safety Trends

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

Performance Measures* 2008 2009 2010 2011 2014

Number of fatalities 136 129 124 113 0

Number of serious injuries 407 379 357 346 0

Fatality rate (per HMVMT) 1.36 1.27 1.22 1.12 0

Serious injury rate (per 

HMVMT)

4.08 3.74 3.53 3.45 0

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

Year - 2010

Function 

Classification

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

RURAL PRINCIPAL 

ARTERIAL - INTERSTATE

0 0 0 0

RURAL PRINCIPAL 

ARTERIAL - OTHER 

FREEWAYS AND 

EXPRESSWAYS

0 0 0 0

RURAL PRINCIPAL 

ARTERIAL - 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

URBAN PRINCIPAL 0 0 0 0
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ARTERIAL - INTERSTATE

URBAN PRINCIPAL 

ARTERIAL - OTHER 

FREEWAYS AND 

EXPRESSWAYS

0 0 0 0

URBAN PRINCIPAL 

ARTERIAL - 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

OTHER - UNABLE TO 

PROVIDE 

INFORMATION AT THIS 

TIME.

0 0 0 0

DATA FOR THIS 

CATEGORY NOT 

AVAILABLE AT THIS 

TIME. FUTURE DATA 

WILL INCLUDE 

FUNCTIONAL 

CLASSIFICATIONS.

0 0 0 0
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Year - 2010

Roadway Ownership Number of 

fatalities

Number of serious 

injuries

Fatality rate (per 

HMVMT)

Serious injury rate (per 

HMVMT)

STATE HIGHWAY AGENCY 78 200 0.78 2

COUNTY HIGHWAY AGENCY 46 157 0.46 1.57

TOWN OR TOWNSHIP HIGHWAY AGENCY 0 0 0 0

CITY OF MUNICIPAL HIGHWAY AGENCY 0 0 0 0

STATE PARK, FOREST, OR RESERVATION AGENCY 0 0 0 0

LOCAL PARK, FOREST OR RESERVATION AGENCY 0 0 0 0

OTHER STATE AGENCY 0 0 0 0

OTHER LOCAL AGENCY 0 0 0 0

PRIVATE (OTHER THAN RAILROAD) 0 0 0 0

RAILROAD 0 0 0 0

STATE TOLL AUTHORITY 0 0 0 0

LOCAL TOLL AUTHORITY 0 0 0 0

OTHER PUBLIC INSTRUMENTALITY (E.G. AIRPORT, 

SCHOOL, UNIVERSITY)

0 0 0 0
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Describe any other aspects of the general highway safety trends on which you would like to elaborate.

We are currently addressing the timeliness of our data. Due to manpower shortage, it was difficult to 

keep up with the workflow. We have recently reshifted our priorities to increase the timeliness of the 

database. Data for next year's report should reflect more current data years. There will be no changes 

to the accident numbers provided in last year's report.

Application of Special Rules

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

age of 65. 

Older Driver

Performance Measures

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

Fatality rate (per 

capita)

0.12 0.11 0.11 0 0

Serious injury rate 

(per capita)

0.12 0.13 0.15 0 0

Fatality and serious 

injury rate (per capita)

0.24 0.24 0.26 0.26 0

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

Calculation Rate for 2007-2011 Fatality and Serious Injury Rate -

[(F+SI 2007 Drivers and Pedestrians 65 years of age and older/2007 population figure) + 

(F+SI 2008 Drivers and Pedestrians 65 years of age and older/2008 population figure) +

(F+SI 2009 Drivers and Pedestrians 65 years of age and older/2009 population figure) +

(F+SI 2010 Drivers and Pedestrians 65 years of age and older/2010 population figure) +

(F+SI 2011 Drivers and Pedestrians 65 years of age and older/2011 population figure)]/5

* Please note that more current data is uavailable at this time. We are addressing the timeliness of our 

data and plan to have more to report next year.
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Does the older driver special rule apply to your state? 

Yes

If yes, describe the approach to include respective strategies to address the increase in those rates in 

the State SHSP.

<p>The calculation of older driver special rule recently notified us that it applies to Hawaii.</p><p>With 

the updated SHSP plan completed, we will look into introducing this concern as a new potential 

emphasis area in the future. </p><p>Unable to conclude if older driver special rule still applies to 
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Hawaii since previous data was used.   </p><p> </p><p> </p>
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Assessment of the Effectiveness of the Improvements (Program 

Evaluation)

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

Safety Improvement Program?

None

Benefit/cost

Policy change

Other: 

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

Shift Focus to Fatalities and Serious Injuries

Include Local Roads in Highway Safety Improvement Program

Organizational Changes

None

Other: 

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

We are currently addressing the timeliness of our data. Due to manpower shortage, it was difficult to 

keep up with the workflow. We have recently reshifted our priorities to increase the timeliness of the 
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database. Data for next year's report should reflect more current data years. There will be no changes to 

the accident numbers provided in last year's report.
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SHSP Emphasis Areas

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

Year - 2011

HSIP-related SHSP 

Emphasis Areas

Target Crash Type Number of 

fatalities

Number of 

serious 

injuries

Fatality rate 

(per HMVMT)

Serious injury 

rate (per 

HMVMT)

Other1Other2Other3

Lane Departure Run off road and cross 

centerline

47 113 0.47 1.13 0 0 0

Intersections All 34 128 0.34 1.27 0 0 0

Pedestrians Vehicle/pedestrian 23 55 0.22 0.55 0 0 0

Bicyclists Vehicle/bicycle 3 13 0.03 0.13 0 0 0

Motorcyclists All 29 88 0.29 0.87 0 0 0
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Groups of similar project types

Present the overall effectiveness of groups of similar types of projects.

Year - 2011

HSIP Sub-program 

Types

Target Crash Type Number of 

fatalities

Number of 

serious 

injuries

Fatality rate 

(per HMVMT)

Serious injury 

rate (per 

HMVMT)

Other1Other2Other3

Backplates with 

retroreflective borders

Disregard traffic 

signal

2 12 0.02 0.12 0 0 0

Milled rumble strips Run off road and 

cross centerline

47 113 0.47 1.13 0 0 0
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Systemic Treatments

Present the overall effectiveness of systemic treatments.

Year - 2011

Systemic 

improvement

Target Crash Type Number of 

fatalities

Number of 

serious injuries

Fatality rate 

(per HMVMT)

Serious injury 

rate (per 

HMVMT)

Other1Other2Other3

Upgrade Guard Rails Collision with 

guardrail

9 18 0.09 0.18 0 0 0

Install/Improve 

Lighting

Night-time 27 55 0.27 0.55 0 0 0

Rumble Strips Ran off road and 

cross centerline

47 113 0.47 1.13 0 0 0
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Describe any other aspects of the overall Highway Safety Improvement Program effectiveness on 

which you would like to elaborate. 

The State of Hawaii considers fatal and serious injury accidents for all analyses along with the total 

number of major traffic accidents. We will be working towards providing more of the requested data 

with next year's submittal.
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Project Evaluation

Provide project evaluation data for completed projects (optional). 

Location Functional 

Class

Improvement 

Category

Improvement 

Type

BefFatalBefSerious 

Injury

Bef-All 

Injuries

BefPDOBefTotalAftFatalAftSerious 

Injury

Aft-All 

Injuries

AftPDOAftTotalEvaluation 

Results 

(Benefit/ 

Cost Ratio)

Choose 

option 

not to 

report at 

this time
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Optional Attachments

Sections Files Attached
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Glossary

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

annual fatality rate).

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

collaborative process. 

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

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

or feature or addresses a highway safety problem. 

HMVMT means hundred million vehicle miles traveled.

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

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

activities.

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

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

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

February 13, 2013. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.