HSIP in 2022—Vulnerable Road Users

In 2022, States 

obligated more than 

$208 million of HSIP 

funds for projects 

specifically aimed to 

improve VRU safety.

THE HIGHWAY SAFETY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (HSIP) 2022

Using HSIP to Improve Vulnerable Road User Safety

Helping Keep Pedestrians and Bicyclists Safe

Serious injuries and fatalities among pedestrians and bicyclists have increased 

in recent years. According to the most recent National Highway Traffic Safety 

Administration report, 7,388 pedestrians and 966 bicyclists were killed in 

traffic crashes in 2021.1

Pedestrians and bicyclists are just two types of vulnerable road users 

(VRUs)—people who are more susceptible to impact forces because they 

lack the protection of a vehicle. HSIP can help support a Safe System 

and keep all road users safe by funding improvements that enhance 

safety, visibility, and accessibility for people traveling by foot, bicycle, 

scooter, skateboard, or mobility aid on all public roadways.

With 198 projects, 

Florida had the highest 

number of bicycle- or 

pedestrian-focused 

projects.

Nearly 10% of all 

HSIP-funded projects 

were for bicycle and 

pedestrian safety 

improvements.

 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Quick Facts 2021, report no. DOT HS 813 454 (July 2023, revised), https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/813454.

 Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Pub. L. No. 101-336, 104 Stat. 327 (1990).

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Nearly 450 HSIPfunded projects 

focused explicitly 

on either bicycle or 

pedestrian safety.

34 States used 

HSIP funds for VRUfocused projects.

What Project Types Helped Vulnerable Road Users? Pedestrian Deaths Are 

Increasing Faster than All 

Other Traffic Fatalities

Where Were 

Bicycle or Pedestrian 

Projects Located?*

Pedestrian Deaths All Other Traffic Deaths

Pedestrian Signal 

Installation or Modification 25 projects

Leading Pedestrian Interval 2 projects

Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon 8 projects

Pedestrian Signals, Other 11 projects

On-Road Bicycle Lane

Pedestrian Warning Signs 1 project

Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons 13 projects

Miscellaneous Pedestrian 

and Bicyclist Improvements 21 projects

Sidewalk Installation 144 projects

Americans with Disabilities Act

Compliant Curb Ramps2 8 projects

Crosswalk Installation or Modification 30 projects FHWA is committed to addressing 

the increase in pedestrian 

fatalities on America’s roads.

24%

*Includes only projects with reported 

classifications.

1 (4.5%) 4 (2.3%)

10 (45.5%)

90 (51.7%)

16 (64.0%)

11 (50%)

80 (46%)

9 (36%)

rural urban mixed context

This information comes from 2022 State HSIP reports. For individual reports, visit https://highways.dot.gov/safety/hsip/reporting.

Pedestrian

Bicycle

Shared-Use

5 projects 74%

Percentage Increase in Number of 

Traffic Deaths, 2010–2021

22 174 25

Projects Projects Projects
To find out how HSIP can help 

save lives in your community, 

contact your State DOT:

https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/

about/webstate.cfm

Except for the statutes and regulations cited, the contents of this document do not 

have the force and effect of law and are not meant to bind the States or the public in 

any way. This document is intended only to provide information regarding existing 

requirements under the law or agency policies.

The U.S. Government does not endorse products or manufacturers. Trademarks or 

manufacturers’ names appear in this document only because they are considered 

essential to the objective of the document. They are included for informational 

purposes only and are not intended to reflect a preference, approval, or endorsement 

of any one product or entity.

FHWA-SA-23-020

HSIP in Action

Building a Safe System with VRU Safety Assessments

23 U.S.C. 148(a)(13)(G) and 23 U.S.C. 148(l). 

23 U.S.C. 148(l)(2).

Memorandum, “ACTION: Vulnerable Road User Safety Assessment Guidance (Due date: November 15, 2023),” (Washington: Federal Highway Administration, October 21, 2022), https://

highways.dot.gov/sites/fhwa.dot.gov/files/2022-10/VRU%20Safety%20Assessment%20Guidance%20FINAL_508.pdf.

Federal Highway Administration, "Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Fact Sheets: Transportation Alternatives (TA)", https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/bipartisan-infrastructure-law/ta.cfm and 

23 U.S.C. 133(h)(7).

U.S. Department of Transportation, "Safer Speeds" (October 2023), https://www.transportation.gov/NRSS/SaferSpeeds.

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Each State must develop a VRU safety assessment as part of its SHSP and HSIP.3 These safety 

assessments use data to identify high-risk areas with higher crash risk for VRUs. To find these 

areas, analysts compile crash data (e.g., roadway functional classification, design speed, speed 

limit, crash type, and time of day) and crash location data (e.g., neighborhood demographics on race, 

ethnicity, income, and age).

4 

5

 VRU safety assessments reveal where and what kind of crashes happen, 

helping States prioritize projects and strategies that improve pedestrian and bicyclist safety and 

consider the Safe System Approach.

To read more about VRU safety assessments and the HSIP, check out https://highways.dot.gov/

sites/fhwa.dot.gov/files/2022-10/VRU%20Safety%20Assessment%20Guidance%20FINAL_508.pdf.

Pedestrian Crosswalk Improvements 

in the City of Bellevue, Washington

As part of its Local Road Safety Plan, the City of Bellevue analyzed 

citywide crash data and risk factors in 2020 to identify areas in 

need of systemic safety improvements. This analysis revealed 

that 145th Avenue—a corridor with high pedestrian activity, two 

elementary schools, frequent transit services, but few signalized 

crossing opportunities—had factors that can contribute to higher 

crash rates. The corridor also had a fatal pedestrian crash in 2019.

To prevent fatal and severe injury crashes, the city used HSIP 

funds to install rectangular rapid flashing beacons (RRFBs) at three 

crosswalks along the corridor. These beacons help make drivers 

more aware of crossing pedestrians and increase the visibility of 

crosswalk locations along the roadway. RRFBs are an FHWA Proven 

Safety Countermeasure and can reduce pedestrian crashes by 

nearly 50%.

RRFBs can reduce 

pedestrian crashes by 

nearly 50%.

HSIP funds can be used as a credit toward the non-Federal share of 

Transportation Alternatives (TA) projects The TA program supports a 

variety of smaller-scale transportation projects, such as pedestrian and 

bicycle facilities, recreational trails, and Safe Routes to School projects.

.6

For more on the TA program, visit https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/

bipartisan-infrastructure-law/ta.cfm.

Speed is a major factor in fatal and 

serious injury pedestrian crashes. A 

pedestrian is five times more likely 

to die if struck by a vehicle going 

42 miles per hour than if struck by a 

vehicle moving at 23 miles per hour.7