Highway Safety Improvement Program 

Notice of Proposed Rulemaking 

Background

The purpose of the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) is to update 

the HSIP regulations at 23 CFR part 924 to address provisions in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) (Pub. L. 

117-58, also known as the “Bipartisan Infrastructure Law” (BIL)) and reflect current priorities and state-of-practice. 

These changes will further strengthen and advance the safety and equity priorities of the DOT National Roadway Safety 

Strategy (NRSS) and assist States with making safety gains designed to eliminate fatalities and serious injuries on the 

Nation’s roads. 

Summary of Major Provisions

Following is a summary of the major provisions in the HSIP NRPM. Specifically, FHWA proposes to update the HSIP 

regulations to incorporate the Safe System Approach, improve evaluation practices, streamline reporting efforts, and 

ensure States are collecting MIRE fundamental data elements. 

Incorporates the Safe System Approach 

The HSIP is a key place to integrate the Safe System Approach as it sets the funding and policy tone for national roadway 

safety implementation efforts. Therefore, FHWA proposes updates to the HSIP regulation to include regulatory 

language to incorporate the Safe System Approach. Specifically, FHWA proposes to:

• Revise the policy of the HSIP regulation to include advancing a Safe System Approach in support of the long-term 

goal to eliminate fatalities and serious injuries.

• Clarify throughout the regulation that the HSIP applies to all public roads and for all road users.

• Emphasize how a State’s Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP) can support a Safe System Approach.

• Expand the definition of safety stakeholders to include representatives from public health and underserved

communities.

• Clarify that a State’s SHSP must include a vulnerable road user safety assessment in accordance with 23 U.S.C. 148(l).

• Require each State to conduct a systemwide safety risk assessment as part of its HSIP data analysis process.

For more information, please contact:

Karen Scurry, Office of Safety

k d

FHWA-SA-24-018
Improves Evaluation Practices 

Evaluation is a key component of the HSIP. Employing more consistent and reliable evaluation methods will support 

future HSIP decisions, optimize return on investment of safety funding, and increase the effectiveness of projects and 

programs. The FHWA proposes to improve HSIP evaluation practices by: 

• Requiring each State to establish a process to evaluate the effectiveness of data improvement activities for MIRE 

fundamental data elements.

• Clarifying that HSIP evaluation shall include individual project evaluations, countermeasure evaluations, and 

program evaluations. 

Streamlines Reporting Efforts 

FHWA establishes the content and schedule for the submission of the HSIP report required by 23 U.S.C. 148(h) and 23 

CFR 924.15. To streamline HSIP reporting efforts, FHWA proposes to:

• Update the required content of the annual HSIP report to minimize duplication with the HSIP Implementation Plan. 

• Focus on progress implementing highway safety improvement projects and the effectiveness of those projects. 

Ensures States Collect MIRE Fundamental Data Elements 

All States are currently required to have access to a complete collection of the MIRE fundamental data elements on all 

public roads by September 30, 2026 (23 CFR 914.11(b)). To ensure States are collecting the required MIRE fundamental 

data elements, FHWA proposes to require each State to submit MIRE fundamental data elements as part of their regular 

Highway Performance Monitoring System submittal beginning in 2026. 

Additional Information 

Please reference the Federal Register (docket number FHWA-2023-0045) for the full details of the proposed changes to 

the HSIP regulation, including the economic analysis. For further information contact, Ms. Karen Scurry, Office of Safety, 

(202) 897-7168, karen.scurry@dot.gov; or Mr. David Serody, Office of the Chief Counsel, (202) 366-4241, 

david.serody@dot.gov. 

For more information, please contact:

Karen Scurry, Office of Safety

karen.scurry@dot.gov

FHWA-SA-24-018