HSM Training Guide

September 2011
Notice

This document is disseminated under the sponsorship of the U.S. Department of 

Transportation in the interest of information exchange. The U.S. Government 

assumes no liability for the use of the information contained in this document. 

This report does not constitute a standard, specification, or regulation. The U.S. 

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

essential to the objective of the document.

Quality Assurance Statement

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) provides high-quality information to serve 

Government, industry, and the public in a manner that promotes public understanding. 

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Technical Report Documentation Page

1. Report No.

FHWA-SA-11-47

2. Government Accession No. 3. Recipient’s Catalog No.

4. Title and Subtitle

Highway Safety Manual Training Guide

5. Report Date

September 2011

6. Performing Organization Code

7. Author(s)

Colleen McGovern (Cambridge Systematics, Inc.) and Ida van 

Schalkwyk (CH2M HILL).

8. Performing Organization Report No.

9. Performing Organization Name and Address

Cambridge Systematics, Inc.

100 CambridgePark Drive, Suite 400

Cambridge, MA 02140

10. Work Unit No.

11. Contract or Grant No.

DTFH61-05-D-00026-T-10-001

12. Sponsoring Agency Name and Address

Department of Transportation

Federal Highway Administration

1200 New Jersey Ave., SE

Washington, DC 20590

13. Type of Report and Period Covered

14. Sponsoring Agency Code

15. Supplementary Notes

FHWA: Esther Strawder, Office of Safety (COTM)

16. Abstract

This guide focuses on identifying HSM training currently available to state and local agencies who are 

considering implementation of the HSM. The objectives of the training guide are to: 

• Identify key focus groups that can be used as a basis for identifying particular training needs and 

sequence of training. 

• Present a flow chart for each of the key focus groups that outlines appropriate course modules and 

sequence of training. 

• Present a summary of different training delivery methods and specific reference to training methods 

given limited ability to travel costs. Present recommendations for optimal training approaches to 

conduct training on the advanced methods presented in the HSM.

• Inform state and local agencies of available HSM and HSM-related training opportunities. 

Several training opportunities exist for highway safety and safety analysis. The guide focuses only on 

courses directly applicable to content in the HSM and only those provided by NHI, FHWA and ITE.

17. Key Words

safety, Highway Safety Manual, HSM, training

18. Distribution Statement

19. Security Classif. (of this report)

Unclassified

20. Security Classif. (of this page)

Unclassified

21. No of Pages

30

22. Price

Form DOT F 1700.7 (8-72) Reproduction of completed pages authorized
ii

Table of Contents

1. Introduction.................................................................................................................... 1

2. Training Review.............................................................................................................. 2

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

The FHWA Resource Center..................................................................................................................... 2

The National Highway Institute................................................................................................................ 2

NCHRP 17-38 Overview Training Materials for the Highway Safety Manual........................................... 2

HSM and Related Training Opportunities.....................................................................................3

Key Focus Groups .......................................................................................................................6

An Approach to the Training of the Key Focus Groups..................................................................8

Management Focus Group Training Needs ...........................................................................................10

Planning Focus Group Training Needs ...................................................................................................11

Design Focus Group Training Needs.......................................................................................................12

Operations and Maintenance Focus Group Training Needs..................................................................13

Safety Analysis Focus Group Training Needs .........................................................................................14

3. Summary of Delivery Methods...................................................................................... 15

4. Training Course Descriptions......................................................................................... 16

National Highway Institute .......................................................................................................16

HSM Practitioner’s Guide for Geometric Design Features (380070) – 2-day.........................................16

HSM Practitioner’s Guide for Rural Two Lane Roads (380070A) – 1-day ..............................................16

HSM Practitioner’s Guide for Multilane Highways (380070B) – 1-day ..................................................17

Interactive Highway Safety Design Model (380071) – 2-day ................................................................. 17

New Approaches to Highway Safety Analysis (380075) – 3-day ............................................................17

Low Cost Safety Improvements Workshop (380076) – 1-day................................................................17

Intersection Safety Workshop (380077) – 1-day ...................................................................................17

HSM Practitioners Guide for Horizontal Curves (380088) – 1-day.........................................................18

Applications of Crash Reduction Factors (380093) – 3-hour (blended on-line course) ..........................18

Science of Crash Reduction Factors (380094) – 2-hour (blended on-line course)................................. 18

Highway Safety Improvement Program Manual (380103) – 2-day........................................................18

HSM Practitioner’s Guide for Intersections (380105) – 1-day ...............................................................18

FHWA Resource Center.............................................................................................................19

Empirical Bayes Analysis for Safety ........................................................................................................19

HSM Webinar Series (available at www.highwaysafetymanual.org).....................................................19

Additional Courses under Development ....................................................................................20

FHWA HSM Train-the-Trainer Workshops.............................................................................................20

FHWA Web-based Training ....................................................................................................................20

FHWA HSM for Local Agencies...............................................................................................................20

HSM Roadway Safety Management Process .........................................................................................20

NHI: IHSDM Web-based training (380100) ............................................................................................20

HSM Overview Training Modules (NCHRP 17-38)..................................................................................21
iii

AASHTOWare: Using SafetyAnalyst...........................................................................................22

Institute of Transportation Engineers........................................................................................23

5. Additional Safety Analysis Training Resources............................................................... 24

NCHRP 20-07 (Task 290) Highway Safety Training Synthesis/Roadmap.......................................24

AASHTO Highway Safety Manual Web Site ................................................................................24

Safety Portal of the AASHTO Subcommittee on Safety Management..........................................24

FHWA Office of Safety Web Site................................................................................................24

National Highway Institute Web Site.........................................................................................24

List of Exhibits

Exhibit 1: HSM Training Opportunities as of May 2011...................................................................... 4 

Exhibit 2: Key focus groups identified for HSM training.................................................................... 7 

Exhibit 3: Applicable HSM Chapters for Key Focus Groups................................................................ 9 

Exhibit 4: Management Focus Group Training Needs........................................................................10

Exhibit 5: Planning Focus Group Training Needs.............................................................................. 11

Exhibit 6: Design Focus Group Training Needs................................................................................. 12

Exhibit 7: Operations & Maintenance Focus Group Training Needs.................................................. 13

Exhibit 8: Safety Analysis Focus Group Training Needs..................................................................... 14
1

1. Introduction

The Highway Safety Manual (HSM) introduces a science-based technical approach that takes 

the guesswork out of safety analysis. The HSM provides tools to conduct quantitative safety 

analyses, allowing for safety to be quantitatively evaluated alongside other transportation 

performance measures such as traffic operations, environmental impacts, and construction 

costs. This guide focuses on identifying HSM training currently available to state and local 

agencies who are considering implementation of the HSM. The objectives of the training guide 

are as follows: 

• Identify key focus groups that can be used as a basis for identifying particular training 

needs and sequence of training. This will support integration of HSM methodologies and 

approaches into the project development process and investment decision making 

processes. 

• Present a flow chart for each of the key focus groups that outlines appropriate course 

modules and sequence of training. These flow charts support the promotion of a training 

program that can be customized to fit the needs of the different key focus groups (target 

audiences). 

• Present a summary of different training delivery methods and specific reference to training 

methods given limited ability to travel costs. Present recommendations for optimal training 

approaches to conduct training on the advanced methods presented in the HSM.

• Inform state and local agencies of available HSM and HSM-related training opportunities. 

Several training opportunities exist for highway safety and safety analysis. The guide focuses 

only on courses directly applicable to content in the HSM and only those provided by NHI, 

FHWA and ITE. 
2

2. Training Review

Introduction

This section provides a review of current training opportunities offered by the Federal Highway 

Administration’s (FHWA) Resource Center, the National Highway Institute (NHI), Institute of 

Transportation Engineers (ITE), and American Association of State Highway Transportation 

Officials (AASHTO). Unless otherwise indicated these sessions are instructor-led. In some 

cases, the review also included an assessment of ongoing or nearly completed projects including 

the NCHRP 17-38 Highway Safety Manual Course and the FHWA Highway Safety 

Improvement Program (HSIP) Course. Since the NCHRP 17-38 course is intended to be 

adaptable to various audiences, the modules of the NCHRP 17-38 training are presented as 

individual modules in the matrix. 

The FHWA Resource Center

The FHWA Resource Center is a key partner in supporting the education and training of staff 

FHWA Division offices, state Departments of Transportation, Metropolitan Planning 

Organizations, local agencies in the Highway Safety Manual. Resource Center staff also 

provides expert assistance to these agencies. 

The National Highway Institute

The National Highway Institute is a division of the FHWA. The main purpose of NHI is to 

provide training that drives improvement of the performance of the transportation industry. 

The NHI web site can be accessed at: http://www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov. 

NCHRP 17-38 Overview Training Materials for the Highway Safety Manual

NCHRP 17-38 was initiated to specifically develop overview training for the Highway Safety 

Manual. Once completed, the training materials (instructor and participant materials) will be 

available on-line through the Transportation Research Board, for use and customization by 

agencies, organizations and individuals. The training materials will include an example training 

program, an instructor guide, a comprehensive participant notebook, and Microsoft PowerPoint 

presentations with instructor notes. The training includes examples across each of the different 

chapters and parts of the HSM. 
3

HSM and Related Training Opportunities

Exhibit 1 summarizes the HSM training opportunities as of May 2011. The training matrix 

presented in Exhibit 1 categorizes courses and modules by the topic and level of training with 

the understanding that some overlap may exist across the various parts of the HSM. 

The levels of training shown in Exhibit 1 are NHI training levels: basic, intermediate, and 

accomplished. 

At the basic level, the training can be summarized as: 

• No matter what your background, this course or training event provides an overview of the 

subject matter. 

• No pre-requisites apply to this training.

• The training event is a good opportunity for career development, cross-training or 

developing a new competency.

At the intermediate level, the training can be summarized as: 

• Participants need to have a basic understanding of the subject matter prior to attending this 

level of course or training event. Some practical knowledge or previous training in the 

subject is needed.

• Participants that use this subject knowledge or apply it on a regular basis as a specialist, 

manager, or supervisor are best suited to take this training. 

• The subject matter may provide a deeper knowledge to participants for something that is 

similar to what they are already doing, but may be a new technology or regulation that need 

to be incorporated into what they are already doing.

At the accomplished level, the training can be summarized as: 

• Participants need to have a good understanding of the subject matter prior to attending this 

level of course or training event. Either deep practical/applied knowledge and skills or 

previous extensive training in the subject matter is needed. 

• Participants that use this subject knowledge and have a demonstrated mastery of the subject 

as a specialist, manager or supervisor are best suited to take this training. 

• The subject matter may provide a greater depth of deeper knowledge, understanding and 

ability to apply the knowledge and judgment to problems where solutions are not always 

directly applicable. Participants may also need to incorporate new technology in what they 

are already doing.

Note that many of the FHWA HSM webinar series were grouped into Part C (predictive 

method) even though the webinars also included Part D content on CMFs. 
4

EXHIBIT 1.

HSM Training Opportunities as of May 2011

HSM Topic 

Area

Level of Training* 

Basic Intermediate Accomplished

Part A 

Introduction, 

Human 

Factors, 

Fundamentals

Introduction Module 

(NCHRP 17-38)

Human Factors 

Module (NCHRP 

17-38)

Fundamentals 

Module (NCHRP 

17-38)

Introductory Webinar

hosted by AASHTO, 

FHWA, and TRB

HSM Introduction & 

Overview (FHWA 

Resource Center 

Webinar)

Part B 

Roadway 

Safety 

Management 

Process 

Highway Safety 

Improvement 

Program Manual 

(NHI – 380103)

Part B Overview 

Module (NCHRP 

17-38) 

HSM Practitioner’s Guide for Horizontal Curves (NHI – 380088)

Project Identification Using the HSM (FHWA Resource Center 

Webinar)

HSM Applications to HSIP (FHWA Resource Center Webinar)

Network Screening Module (NCHRP 17-38)

Diagnosis and Countermeasure Selection Module (NCHRP 17-38)

Economic Appraisal and Prioritization Module (NCHRP 17-38)

Safety Effectiveness Evaluation Module (NCHRP 17-38)

New Approaches to Highway Safety Analysis 

(NHI – 380075)

Low-Cost Safety Improvements Workshop 

(NHI – 380076)

Intersection Safety Workshop (NHI – 380077)

Using SafetyAnalyst (AASHTOWare)

Empirical Bayes Analysis for Safety (FHWA 

Resource Center)

HSIP Project Identification (FHWA under 

development)

HSIP Project Evaluation (FHWA under 

development)
5

HSM Topic 

Area

Level of Training* 

Basic Intermediate Accomplished

Part C 

Predictive 

Methods

HSM Applications to Two-Lane Rural Roads (FHWA Resource 

Center Webinar)

HSM Applications to Urban/Suburban Intersections 

(FHWA Resource Center Webinar)

HSM Applications to Rural Intersections (FHWA Resource 

Center Webinar)

HSM Applications to Multilane Highways (FHWA Resource 

Center Webinar)

HSM Application to Urban/Suburban Roads (FHWA Resource 

Center Webinar)

HSM Applications to Rural Multilane Intersections 

(FHWA Resource Center Webinar)

HSM and Pedestrians (FHWA Resource Center Webinar)

HSM Applications to Horizontal Curves (FHWA Resource 

Center Webinar)

HSM Relationship to Roadway Departure Crashes (FHWA 

Resource Center Webinar)

Predictive Method Module (NCHRP 17-38)

Calibration Module (NCHRP 17-38) 

Highway Safety Manual Predictive Method Application Series (ITE)

Fundamentals of the Highway Safety Predictive Method (ITE)

Predicting Crash Frequency on Rural Highways (ITE)

Predicting Crash Frequency on Urban and Suburban Arterials (ITE)

HSM Practitioner’s Guide for Geometric Design 

Features (NHI – 380070)

HSM Practitioner’s Guide for Rural Two Lane 

Roads (NHI – 380070A)

HSM Practitioner’s Guide for Multilane 

Highways (NHI – 380070B)

Interactive Highway Safety Design Model 

(NHI – 380071)

HSM Practitioner’s Guide for Intersections 

(NHI – 380105)

Part D 

Crash 

Modification 

Factors

Application of Crash 

Reduction Factors – 

(NHI - 380093)**

Science of Crash Reduction Factors (NHI – 380094)

Crash Modification Factors (NCHRP 17-38)

Applying HSM Crash Modification Factors (ITE)

* Level as defined by the NHI course level definition. 

** NHI currently has task orders under way to re-design this course to reflect a shift in emphasis on the use of CMFs rather than CRFs
6

Key Focus Groups

An agency or organization can approach assessment of training needs for use of the AASHTO 

Highway Safety Manual in various different ways. 

This document provides the outcome of one approach to such a training needs assessment. For 

the purpose of this document, safety is defined as the frequency and severity of crashes. 

The following process was followed to identify five key focus groups and associated training 

needs: 

Step 1: 

 

Assess the roles, responsibilities, fundamental safety knowledge and skill set necessary for staff 

working in the area of project development, roadway safety management, and transportation 

administration. This specifically refers to the kind of activities necessary within the particular 

area to integrate safety into everyday decision-making.

Step 2: 

 

Identify key focus groups for categorizing training needs. In this case, five key focus areas were 

identified: Management, Planning, Design, Operations and Maintenance, and Safety Analysis. 

Exhibit 2 outlines these five key focus groups for training.

Step 3: Determine the particular knowledge and associated skill sets necessary for each of the key 

focus areas to integrate the methods and approaches of the HSM into decisions in their 

particular focus area.

Step 4:

 

Identify available training opportunities, distinguishing between different levels of outcomes 

(basic, intermediate, and accomplished). For an agency-specific assessment, step 4 could 

include identification of agency-specific training needs that available training opportunities do 

not currently meet. In some cases, a full assessment of cost and resources necessary to develop 

and maintain fundamental knowledge and skills to successfully implement HSM methods and 

analysis approaches could be of value.

The five key focus groups are as follows:

• The Management focus group represents professionals and management that are not 

intricately involved in the planning, design, and operations and maintenance activities (e.g., 

transportation administration and decision makers). 

• The Planning Focus Group includes those involved in the development of long- and shortrange plans, corridor studies, environmental assessments, and alternatives assessment. 

• The Design Focus Group includes those involved in project scoping, preliminary design, 

and final design, including alternative comparisons. 

• The Operations and Maintenance Focus Group includes those who conduct operational 

analysis and develop traffic control plans. 

• Safety Analysis: This focus group includes those who are responsible for collecting and 

analyzing roadway safety data, system safety performance reviews, crash investigations, 

safety assessments and audits, and/or countermeasure selection. 
7

EXIBIT 2

Key focus groups identified for HSM training
8

The training for the Management key focus group covers fundamental knowledge and 

familiarity necessary to support successful implementation of the HSM including transportation 

administration. The HSM training module content and sequence for each of the focus groups 

will need to address issues such as differences in current level of knowledge and skills related 

to the HSM. 

A key consideration in training is to provide specific practical sessions that may be of value to 

each of the key focus groups. For example, in design, a practical session highlighting how the 

HSM can add value to the alternative comparison and evaluation process would be of particular 

benefit. For the safety analyst, demonstrating differences in priorities identified with the more 

advanced statistical approaches and the improvement of accuracy would be beneficial. 

Ultimately, it is critical that those participating in training will be able to implement what they 

have learned in a meaningful way. It is foreseen that the recommended content for each of the 

key focus groups will also include particular focus on strategies for implementing and 

institutionalizing the HSM.

The next subsection provides the results of a chapter-by-chapter assessment of the HSM for 

each of these key topic groups and a more detailed discussion of an approach to the training of 

each of these groups. 

An Approach to the Training of the Key Focus Groups

Exhibit 3 presents an example of an assessment of each HSM chapter and its applicability to 

each of the five key focus groups. 

The remainder of this subsection provides a summary of each of the key focus groups and a 

modular approach to the training of each of these groups. 

The sequencing of training topics for each of these focus groups does not represent the 

sequencing of chapters within the HSM. During the course of the development and piloting of 

the NCHRP 17-38 overview training, it became evident that the HSM chapter sequence does not 

offer an appropriate sequence for training. By sequencing the training as presented for each of 

the focus groups, participants are able to better integrate new concepts in the HSM with their 

existing background in safety. Where the science of safety in the HSM represents a change from 

the existing approaches and beliefs a particular focus group may hold, the sequencing offers 

opportunity early on to deal with these paradigm shifts that are necessary for successful 

implementation of advanced methods and approaches in the HSM. When reviewing the 

sequencing of topics, the reader can refer to section 4 where descriptions are provided for each 

of the different modules within the NCHRP 17-38 training materials. 
9

EXIBIT 3

Applicable HSM Chapters for Key Focus Groups

Applicable Chapters of 

HSM Management Planning Design

Operations & 

Maintenance

Safety 

Analysis

Part A – Introduction, Human Factors, and Fundamentals

1 – Introduction & 

Overview X X X X X 

2 – Human Factors X X X X X 

3 – Fundamentals X X X X X 

Part B – Roadway Safety Management Process

4 – Network Screening X X 

5 – Diagnosis X X X 

6 – Select 

Countermeasures X X X X 

7 – Economic Appraisal X X X X 

8 – Prioritize Projects X X 

9 – Safety Effectiveness 

Evaluation X X 

Part C - Predictive Method

10 – Rural Two-Lane, 

Two-Way Roads X X X 

11- Rural Multilane 

Highways X X X 

12- Urban and Suburban 

Arterials X X X X

Part D – Crash Modification Factors

13 – Roadway Segments X X X X 

14- Intersections X X X X 

15 – Interchanges X X X X 

16 – Special Facilities and 

Geometric Situations X X X X 

17 – Road Networks X X X X 
10

Management Focus Group Training Needs 

The Management focus group represents professionals and management that are not intricately 

involved in the planning, design, and operations and maintenance activities (e.g., transportation 

administration and decision makers). 

This group would benefit most from a general overview and reviewing the benefits of 

implementing the HSM, as seen in Exhibit 4. 

Of utmost importance to this group is training that provides an Introduction and Overview to 

the HSM. The content of the FHWA Resource Center HSM Introduction & Overview webinar 

can serve the basic needs of this group. Training on Fundamentals would provide a better 

understanding of the science behind the HSM but is likely not as critical for this particular focus 

group. 

EXIBIT 4 

Management Focus Group Training Needs 

 
11

Planning Focus Group Training Needs

The Planning Focus Group includes those involved in the development of long- and short-range 

plans, corridor studies, environmental assessments, and alternatives assessment. 

There are several opportunities for this focus group to apply the HSM to job activities including 

the applications from Parts B, C, and D. The training needs of this group may vary based on 

level of experience. Someone who is newer to transportation planning may not be intricately 

familiar with the roadway safety management process and may benefit from a training program 

that covers all of Parts B, C, and D. However, those that have been in transportation planning 

for a period of time and are more familiar with the roadway safety management process and 

traditional applications of the network screening process would benefit most from a training 

program focused on Parts C and D of the HSM and how these concepts tie into the network 

screening process.

For a training program designed for the planning group and the remaining focus groups, it is 

essential to provide a foundation for the training with a course covering an introduction and 

overview of the HSM, as well as fundamentals. As shown in Exhibit 5, the recommended logical 

training flow would include courses on Parts D and C followed by training on network 

screening (Chapter 4) to facilitate comprehension of the applications of the various performance 

measures for network screening. For those more familiar with the roadway safety management 

process, this might suffice for training needs. For those less familiar with the process, it would 

be ideal to include courses focused on human factors (Chapter 2), diagnosis (Chapter 5), 

countermeasure selection (Chapter 6), economic appraisal (Chapter 7, and project prioritization 

(Chapter 8). 

EXIBIT 5 

Planning Focus Group Training Needs

Introduction & 

Overview Fundamentals Part D Part C

Network 

Screening Human Factors Diagnosis Select Countermeasures

Economic 

Appraisal Prioritize Projects
12

Design Focus Group Training Needs

The Design Focus Group includes those involved in project scoping, preliminary design, and 

final design, including alternative comparisons. This group will assess the safety performance 

of different design alternatives and variation in particular design parameters or roadway 

features. 

It is critical that this group understands Parts C and D. This group should be able to assess the 

safety performance of various design alternatives using the Predictive Methods in Part C and to 

assess the safety impacts of changes to roadway features using Part C and Part D upon 

completion of the training.

Exhibit 6 presents the flow diagram for a typical training program for this focus group. The 

recommended flow starts with courses providing an introduction, overview and fundamentals. 

While this focus group will not typically be involved in diagnosing safety problems, a course on 

human factors will set a foundation for human factor-related considerations throughout the 

design process. Once a foundation has been set, the recommended training program should 

focus on Parts D and C. This focus group would also greatly benefit from the NHI course on the 

Interactive Highway Safety Design Model. The concepts in Part B are not as critical for this 

focus group, but a training course on selecting countermeasures and economic appraisal could 

be useful. Training on the topic of human factors is necessary to support design approaches and 

alternatives that reduces user error and reduces the outcomes of user error. 

EXIBIT 6 

Design Focus Group Training Needs

Introduction & 

Overview

Human Factors Fundamentals

Part D Part C Select 

Countermeasures

Economic 

Appraisal
13

Operations and Maintenance Focus Group Training Needs

The Operations and Maintenance Focus Group includes those who conduct operational analysis 

and develop traffic control plans. It is most likely that this group will use the HSM to assess the 

impacts on safety of signal timing adjustments, lane modifications, and roadway mitigations. 

This focus group will benefit most from a training program that focuses on Parts B and D of the 

HSM. Once again, this training program for this focus group should begin with an introduction 

and overview of the HSM, followed by the fundamentals, as shown in Exhibit 7. The training 

program should then include a course on Part D followed by Part C, human factors (Chapter 2) 

and the applicable concepts in Part B: including diagnosis (Chapter 5), countermeasure selection 

(Chapter 6), economic appraisal (Chapter 7), and safety effectiveness evaluation (Chapter 9). 

Inclusion of Part C in the training is essential to support safety quantification of the impact of 

changes to the existing network, performing benefit-cost analysis of alternative 

countermeasures, and conducting before-after studies using advanced methods. 

EXIBIT 7 

Operations & Maintenance Focus Group Training Needs

Introduction & 

Overview Fundamentals Part D

Part C Human Factors Diagnosis

Select 

Countermeasures

Economic 

Appraisal

Safety Effectiveness 

Evaluation
14

Safety Analysis Focus Group Training Needs

The Safety Analysis focus group includes individuals who are primarily responsible for safety. 

This may include those involved in system safety performance review, crash investigations, 

safety assessments and audits, and/or countermeasure selection. 

This focus group should be familiar with the entire contents of the HSM. It is recommended that 

this focus group follow a training sequence very similar to those in the planning focus group, 

but that this training program also include a course on safety effectiveness evaluation, as shown 

in Exhibit 8. This group would benefit from courses on Parts D and C, followed by Part B of the 

HSM. The HSIP courses currently under development on Project Identification and Project 

Evaluation would be ideal to cover Part B of the HSM as described within the context of the 

HSIP. 

The NCHRP 17-38 HSM Overview Training Modules can be tailored to address the training 

needs of target focus groups. This would allow for an intermediate depth of knowledge, 

followed by more in-depth (advanced) training course(s) to address the critical knowledge for 

each focus group. 

EXIBIT 8 

Safety Analysis Focus Group Training Needs

Introduction & 

Overview Fundamentals Part D Part C

Network Screening Human Factors Diagnosis Select 

Countermeasures

Economic Appraisal Prioritize Projects Safety Effectiveness 

Evaluation
15

3. Summary of Delivery Methods

Training accessibility is essential to reach the largest audience and support successful 

implementation of the HSM. Highway agencies operate on limited budgets and opportunities 

for training personnel may be limited because of travel restrictions. Potential delivery formats 

may include, but are not limited to: instructor-led workshops, webinars, webinar discussions 

supported with advance materials, or on-line self-paced training. 

With instructor led workshops, the instructor and the students are located in the same facility. 

This style of training allows for the most interaction between the instructor and the students 

and provides opportunities for group activities. It also provides students with the opportunity 

to network with other students in their field and hear various perspectives on how to 

incorporate the knowledge. While this method may be the best for keeping students engaged in 

the learning, it may be more expensive if participants are required to travel to attend the 

training. 

Web-based training delivers training through the computer using any combination of video, 

text, and audio delivery of concepts. The biggest advantage of web-based training is that it 

allows a student to take a course on-line at his or her own pace and convenience. This delivery 

method has the greatest potential to reach the largest audience. Unfortunately, this method does 

not allow for interaction with an instructor and the participant has the responsibility to contact 

individuals during or after the training if there are any questions. Participants also do not 

benefit from the discussions typically generated by the questions of attendees at on-site 

instructor-led workshops. Another disadvantage is that this learning method leads to 

understanding at the lower cognitive level. In other words, the participants are only able to 

recall facts (e.g., what is regression to the mean), rather than being able to perform synthesis 

and evaluation tasks (e.g., conducting an EB analysis and interpreting results). 

The success of web-based training is highly dependent on the course design and interface 

followed for the particular training material. With web-based training, it is also important to 

consider how different learning styles will be accommodated and whether participants will 

have a means to engage in discussions and active learning exercises during and after the 

training session(s). It is important to note that these types of activities are usually not included 

in traditional web-based training because of the significant resources required to develop the 

materials. 

 
16

4. Training Course Descriptions 

This section provides a compilation of training course descriptions for training that is available 

from the National Highway Institute (NHI), the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) 

Resource Center, Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE), and American Association of State 

Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO). 

The section also includes a description of the NCHRP 17-38 HSM Overview Training and each 

of the modules in the training. The NCHRP 17-38 instructor and participant materials will be 

available in the public domain shortly. 

Unless otherwise noted, these courses are instructor-led and costs are subject to change (costs 

current as of May 2011). 

National Highway Institute

This section lists available courses from NHI along with the duration and instruction-type for 

courses related to the HSM. 

HSM Practitioner’s Guide for Geometric Design Features (380070) – 2-day 

This course provides the HSM methodology for the safety performance of geometric design 

decisions on both two-lane and multi-lane rural highways. The crash prediction models for total 

crashes and cross-section related crashes based upon lane width, shoulder width, roadside 

hazard, traffic volume (exposure) and other characteristics are presented. Examples of safety 

performance prediction are presented for highway segments and intersections. Discussion of 

research and the interactive effects of lane and shoulder widths, hazard rating, and access 

density (driveways) on safety performance are presented. 

Course 380070A covers only two-lane highways and Course 380070B covers only multi-lane 

rural highways. 

HSM Practitioner’s Guide for Rural Two Lane Roads (380070A) – 1-day

This course presents the HSM crash prediction models for total crashes on rural two-lane roads 

and crashes based upon lane width, shoulder width, roadside hazard, traffic volume (exposure) 

and other characteristics. Examples of safety performance prediction are presented for highway 

segments and intersections. Discussion of research and the interactive effects of lane and 

shoulder widths, ‘roadside hazard rating’, and access density (driveways) on safety 

performance are presented. 
17

HSM Practitioner’s Guide for Multilane Highways (380070B) – 1-day 

This course provides the HSM methodology for the prediction of safety performance of 

geometric design decisions for multilane highways. The crash prediction models for total 

crashes based upon lane width, shoulder width, roadside hazard, traffic volume (exposure) and 

other characteristics are presented. Examples of safety performance prediction are presented for 

highway segments and intersections. Discussion of research and the interactive effects on safety 

performance for median width and barriers, of access (driveways) and side streets and 

intersection turning lanes are presented. 

Interactive Highway Safety Design Model (380071) – 2-day 

This course instructs highway design project managers, planners, designers, and traffic and 

safety reviewers in the application of the Interactive Highway Safety Design Model (IHSDM) 

software and provides guidance on interpretation of the output. Participants gain hands-on 

experience with the software.

New Approaches to Highway Safety Analysis (380075) – 3-day 

The primary purpose of this course is to help attendees gain an understanding of the Highway 

Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) process, safety engineering principles and human factors 

issues related to traffic and road safety. It also provides the participant with an explanation of 

the latest methods for identifying collision causes and selecting cost-effective safety 

improvements. Also, this course serves as a prerequisite for those who will be utilizing 

SafetyAnalyst, a set of software tools available through AASHTOWare designed to assist state 

and local agencies to improve the decision making process in implementing safety 

improvement projects. 

Low Cost Safety Improvements Workshop (380076) – 1-day 

This course provides a comprehensive presentation of low-cost, ready-to-use improvements 

that enhance the safety of highways. The course covers a synthesis of countermeasures and 

their associated crash reduction factors as identified in the "AASHTO Strategic Highway Safety 

Plan -- NCHRP 500 Guidebooks." Countermeasures for specific areas of highway safety, 

including roadside hazards; signing, markings, and lighting; traffic control devices; 

intersections; traffic signals; and railroad grade crossings are discussed. The course also 

introduces low-cost safety improvements that have been recently developed by States and local 

engineers. Through exercises, participants learn how to analyze highway safety situations and 

apply appropriate countermeasures to those situations. 

Intersection Safety Workshop (380077) – 1-day 

Beginning with an introduction to intersection and crash characteristics, this course provides 

information on ready-to-use, direct-application safety measures for rural unsignalized and 

signalized intersections. Participants are presented with a synthesis of countermeasures and 

their associated crash reduction factors as identified in the "AASHTO Strategic Highway Safety 
18

Plan - NCHRP 500 Guidebooks." The course focuses on the application of these 

countermeasures and design and safety operations best practices for substantive improvements 

to intersection safety. During the course, participants have the opportunity to present 

intersection safety situations that they are currently facing and discuss appropriate 

countermeasures and best practices to address those situations. 

HSM Practitioners Guide for Horizontal Curves (380088) – 1-day 

This course provides participants with some tools for evaluating the safety performance of 

horizontal curves along with suggestions for countermeasures that could improve safety 

performance. Topics covered in this course include crash experience in locations under study, 

tools for identifying and prioritizing horizontal curve safety, low cost maintenance 

countermeasures, and a discussion of engineering countermeasures. 

Applications of Crash Reduction Factors (380093) – 3-hour (blended on-line course) 

This course focuses on the application of Crash Reduction Factors (CRFs) to select 

countermeasures. The course covers the project development cycle (starting from network 

screening and site selection for safety review), diagnostics of safety concerns, cost-benefit 

evaluation, and countermeasure selection. 

NHI currently has task orders under way to update this course to reflect a change in emphasis 

on the use of CRFs to Crash Modification Factors (CMFs).

Science of Crash Reduction Factors (380094) – 2-hour (blended on-line course) 

This course focuses on the application of CRFs to select countermeasures. The course covers the 

project development cycle (starting from network screening and site selection for safety review), 

diagnostics of safety concerns, cost-benefit evaluation, and countermeasure selection. 

NHI currently has task orders under way to re-design this course to reflect a shift in emphasis 

on the use of CMFs rather than CRFs. 

Highway Safety Improvement Program Manual (380103) – 2-day 

This course introduces safety professionals to new procedures and technologies, and provides 

information on topics ranging from core safety concepts to detailed discussions of technical 

methods for data-driven safety planning which will enhance HSIP efforts.

HSM Practitioner’s Guide for Intersections (380105) – 1-day 

This course provides participants with some tools for evaluating the safety performance of 

intersections along with suggestions for countermeasures that could improve safety 

performance. The course is intended for State and local transportation planners, designers, and 

safety engineers involved in the design of intersections. 
19

FHWA Resource Center

Empirical Bayes Analysis for Safety

This workshop reviews terminology and concepts related to before-after highway safety data 

analysis techniques. These types of analyses are illustrated and applied via examples and work 

problems. This workshop also includes a hands-on application of Empirical Bayesian (EB) 

statistics procedures to overcome the effects of the regression to the mean phenomenon. By the 

end of this workshop, students will be capable of applying the EB approach to Highway Safety 

Data. 

HSM Webinar Series (available at www.highwaysafetymanual.org) 

During 2010, the FHWA Resource Center presented a series of HSM webinars. Recording of 

these webinars are available on-line at the AASHTO HSM web site: 

http://www.highwaysafetymanual.org/Pages/FHWAResourceCenterHSMWebinarSeries.aspx. 

• HSM Introduction and Overview – HSM introduction, purpose, summary of content, 

and marketing and deployment initiatives. HSM and Pedestrians – HSM applications to 

pedestrians. 

• HSM Applications to HSIP – HSIP examples utilizing the network screening, project 

prioritization, and program evaluation tools in the HSM. 

• Project Identification Using the HSM – HSM applications that aid in the project 

identification process. 

• HSM Applications to Two-Lane Rural Roads – HSM predictive methods and crash 

modification factors for two-lane rural road segments. 

• HSM Applications to Rural Intersections – HSM predictive methods and crash 

modification factors for two-lane rural road intersections. 

• HSM Applications to Horizontal Curves – HSM applications to horizontal curves. 

• HSM Applications to Multilane Highways – HSM predictive methods and crash 

modification factors for multilane rural highway segments. 

• HSM Applications to Urban and Suburban Intersections – The HSM predictive methods 

and crash modification factors for urban and suburban intersections. 

• HSM Applications to Urban and Suburban Roadways – HSM predictive methods and 

crash modification factors for urban/suburban roadway segments. 

• HSM Relationship to Roadway Departure Crashes – HSM applications to roadway 

departure crashes. 
20

Additional Courses under Development

FHWA HSM Train-the-Trainer Workshops

FHWA will be presenting train-the-trainer workshops in the spring of 2012. Details are 

forthcoming. For more information, please contact Mshadoni Smith from FHWA at 

mshadoni.smith@dot.gov. Train-the-trainer workshop course material will also be made 

available on the HSM web site in the future.

FHWA Web-based Training

FHWA will be developing HSM web-based training based on the NCHRP 17-38 course material 

but customized to the key practitioners focus groups. The modules will be posted free of charge 

on the NHI web site in 2012. 

FHWA HSM for Local Agencies

FHWA designed this course for local transportation agencies. The material provides a snap shot 

of highway safety statistics, a brief introduction to the AASHTO Highway Safety Manual, and 

shows how safety can be incorporated into practice through proven safety countermeasures and 

low cost safety improvements. This course has been piloted as a webinar and is available on 

request from the Resource Center. For more information, please contact Hillary Isebrands at 

Hillary.Isebrands@dot.gov. 

HSM Roadway Safety Management Process

The course is an overview of the HSM with emphasis on the Roadway Safety Management 

Process (Part B). The target audience is transportation professionals who are involved with 

assessing sites within a corridor that could benefit from safety treatments in reducing crash 

frequency or severity. An overview of the HSM crash prediction methodology is also provided. 

For more information, please contact Gene Amparano at Gene.Amparano@dot.gov. 

NHI: IHSDM Web-based training (380100)

IHSDM web-based training is currently under development – refer to the NHI web site for 

updates. 
21

HSM Overview Training Modules (NCHRP 17-38)

The NCHRP 17-38 was initiated to specifically develop overview training for the Highway 

Safety Manual. Once completed, the training materials (instructor and participant materials) 

will be available on-line through the Transportation Research Board, for use and customization 

by agencies, organizations and individuals. The training will also be available through NHI as a 

one day practitioner’s course (NHI 380106) in early 2012. The training is modular and intended 

to be used for training on modular basis or as an overview course if the training covers all the 

modules. 

This course provides an overview of the HSM. The intended audience is state and local 

transportation planners, designers, and safety engineers who are involved with the project 

development process and the roadway safety management program. 

The following list provides a brief description of each of the modules in the NCHRP 17-38 

Overview training: 

• Introduction - Provides a framework for the purpose and general organization of the 

HSM. Topics include the purpose of the manual, the target audience, the legal context, 

advantages of implementing the HSM, the structure and content of the manual, and how 

to integrate the HSM into the project development process. 

• Fundamentals – Introduces fundamental concepts that are necessary to understand the 

road safety management techniques and crash estimation methods in the HSM. The 

topics include using crashes as the basis for measuring safety in the HSM, data needs for 

the HSM, the evolution of crash estimation methods, overview of predictive methods in 

Part C, and evaluating safety effectiveness. 

• Human Factors – Provides an overview of implications of human factors in roadway 

safety. Topics include human factors role in road safety, impact of road design on the 

driver, and human factors and HSM integration. 

• Part B Overview – Provides an overview of the roadway safety management process 

including the purpose, structure, and steps. The module also describes how to use Part B 

and the benefits of the process. 

• Network Screening – Describes the steps in the network screening process: establish focus; 

identify network and establish reference populations; select performance measures; 

select screening method; and screen and evaluate the results. It identifies strengths and 

weaknesses of different performance measures. 

• Diagnosis and Countermeasure Selection –Covers the diagnosis and countermeasure 

selection process. Topics include the diagnosis process, crash and supporting data, field 

evaluation, contributing crash factors, and countermeasure identification. 

• Economic Appraisal and Prioritization – Covers methods for conducting an economic 

evaluation. Topics include an overview of project benefits and costs, economic 
22

evaluation methods, non-monetary considerations, prioritization methods, and 

applications. 

• Safety Effectiveness Evaluation – Describes methods used to evaluate the safety 

effectiveness of treatments and projects, and their importance in the safety management 

process. An overview of the various evaluation study designs including the benefits, 

limitations, and data needs is included. 

• Predictive Methods – Explains the predictive method and the analysis process. The 

module identifies data requirements for basic and supplemental analysis and compares 

the differences among predictive methods based on characteristics of roadway types. 

• Calibration – Presents the specialized procedures associated with Part C’s predictive 

methods. The module includes the procedure for calibrating SPFs for local conditions, 

guidance in the HSM for development of SPFs for local conditions, how and when to 

replace default values in the HSM with local values, and the use of the Empirical Bayes 

method to combine predicted and observed crash frequencies.

• Crash Modification Factors – This module presents information on Crash Modification 

Factors, safety trends, and unknown effects of various treatments. The topics include 

general information regarding crash modification factors and a discussion on CMFs for 

roadway segments, intersections, interchanges, and special facilities, geometric 

situations, and roadway networks. 

AASHTOWare: Using SafetyAnalyst

SafetyAnalyst provides a set of software tools for use by state and local highway agencies for 

the roadway safety management process. These tools can be used to develop programming for 

site-specific highway safety improvements following the process and procedures introduced in

Part B of the Highway Safety Manual (HSM). Training on the use of SafetyAnalyst is available 

to SafetyAnalyst licensed states. More information is available at http://www.safetyanalyst.org. 

Safety Analyst is also available for licensing through AASHTO at the following address:

http://www.aashtoware.org/Pages/SafetyAnalyst.aspx. 
23

Institute of Transportation Engineers

The Institute of Transportation Engineers is currently presenting the Highway Safety Manual 

Predictive Method Application Series as a series of webinar briefings. The series consists of four 

1.5 hour sessions at the following cost: $500 ITE member/$625 non-member/$250 student 

member. HiSafe, a commercial software product, is used to demonstrate results from the 

predictive method during the webinars.

The Highway Safety Manual (HSM) web seminar series demonstrates the predictive method 

capabilities within the new Highway Safety Manual in context of actual problems, solutions and 

integrating HSM predictive method software HiSafe to demonstrate results. The series consists 

of the following briefings:

• Applying HSM Crash Modification Factors (web seminar/briefing) – 1.5 hour $250 ITE 

member/$325 non-member/$125 student member - This web seminar introduces 

fundamentals of crash modification factors and provide case study examples applications 

including how crash modification factors might be integrated into the design process. 

• Fundamentals of the Safety Predictive Method (web seminar/briefing) – 1.5 hour $250 ITE 

member/$325 non-member/$125 student member - This web seminar introduces the 

fundamental concepts involved in applying the predictive method including: safety 

performance functions, crash modification factors, calibration factors, and the Empirical 

Bayes method. The HiSafe software is used to teach the predictive method. 

• Predicting Crash Frequency on Urban/Suburban Arterials (web seminar/briefing) – 1.5 

hour $250 ITE member/$325 non-member/$125 student member - This web seminar 

introduces the method and present case study examples on applying the HSM predictive 

method on urban and suburban arterials segments and intersections. The HiSafe software is

used as a tool to demonstrate applications. 

• Predicting Crash Frequency on Rural Highways (web seminar/briefing) – 1.5 hour $250 ITE 

member/$325 non-member/$125 student member - This web seminar introduces the 

method present case study examples on applying the HSM predictive method on rural road 

segments and rural intersections. The HiSafe software is used as a tool to demonstrate 

applications. 
24

5. Additional Safety Analysis Training 

Resources

NCHRP 20-07 (Task 290) Highway Safety Training 

Synthesis/Roadmap

NCHRP 20-07(290) developed a highway safety training synthesis and roadmap that may be 

useful in reviewing training needs for the HSM and the broader topic of highway safety. The 

project was recently completed as part of research for the AASHTO Standing Committee on 

Highways. The project developed a database of highway safety related courses. This database 

can be accessed at http://www.USRoadSafety.org. 

AASHTO Highway Safety Manual Web Site 

The AASHTO HSM web site at http://www.highwaysafetymanual.org is periodically updated 

to reflect the most up to date opportunities for training offered by FHWA and NHI. 

Safety Portal of the AASHTO Subcommittee on Safety 

Management

The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) 

Subcommittee on Safety Management administers a safety portal at 

http://www.USRoadSafety.org. Besides accessing the course database referenced in section 5.2, 

the web site also posts information on education in highway safety. Visitors can sign up for RSS 

feeds of site updates by topic area. 

FHWA Office of Safety Web Site 

The FHWA Office of Safety web site lists opportunities for highway safety training, education, 

curricula, workforce planning and development and can be accessed at 

http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/training. 

National Highway Institute Web Site

The National Highway Institute web site lists all training available for highway transportation 

professions, including the HSM related courses listed in this guide. It can be accessed at 

http://www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov/.
Federal Highway Administration

Office of Safety

1200 New Jersey Avenue SE

Washington, DC 20590 

FHWA-SA-11-47