28 percent of all projects were 

systemic safety projects.

Zero Deaths

Many States and local communities are 

working to eliminate traffic deaths and 

serious injuries. The HSIP helps by funding 

systemic improvements, which prevent 

serious crashes by targeting high-risk roadway 

features that correlate with severe crash types.

HSIP Saves Lives

HSIP funds improved 4,515 

intersections and 69,075 

miles of roadway—that’s 

more than 2.5 times the 

circumference of the Earth!

HSIP invested 

more than 

$3.3 billion in 

5,326 projects. 66 percent of projects were 

on State-owned roadways.

1 NHTSA, “Early Estimate of Motor Vehicle Traffic Fatalities in 2021,” https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/813283.

2 FHWA, Fact Sheets, “Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP),” (February 2022), https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/bipartisan-infrastructure-law/hsip.cfm. Local and Tribal roadways are 

considered those with ownership category attribute codes 2, 3, 4, 12, 25, 32, 50, 62.

3 Per 23 U.S.C. 148(1)(4)(A).

4 Per 23 U.S.C. 148(c)(2)(B)(iv).

WHAT PROJECT TYPES 

DID HSIP FUND?

HOW MUCH DID 

PROJECTS COST?

WHAT CLASSIFICATIONS OF 

ROADWAYS WERE IMPROVED?

17% 

Intersection 

Traffic Control

15% 

Roadway

9% 

Pedestrians 

& Bicyclists

9% 

Roadway 

Signs & Traffic 

Control

10% 

Intersection 

Geometry

7% 

Roadway 

Delineation

10% 

Other

6% 

Lighting

9% 

Roadside

3% 

Shoulder 

Treatments

1% 

Access 

Management

1% 

Interchange 

Design

1% 

Railroad Grade 

Crossings

1% 

Advanced 

Technology 

& ITS

0.4% 

Speed 

Management

0.1% 

Noninfrastructure

1% 

Alignment

34.6% 

Under 

$100,000

29.2%

$100,00–

$499,000

21.3%

More than 

$1 million

10.7%

$500,000–

$1 million

4.2%

Principal ArterialInterstate

2.1%

Principal ArterialOther Freeways & 

Expressways

8.0%

Major Collector

17.9%

Principal Arterial—Other

3.3%

Minor Collector

2.6%

Local Road or Street

39.2% Other/Unknown

HOW WERE 

PROJECT SITES 

IDENTIFIED?

12.2% 

Minor 

Arterial

This information comes from 2021 State HSIP reports. To view individual reports, visit https://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/hsip/reports/.

28.3%

Systemic

31.5%

Spot

40.2% 

Other

HSIP in 2021

HSIP Funds Critical Safety Projects

Every year, each State receives an apportionment of HSIP funding for projects that are consistent with its Strategic 

Highway Safety Plan (SHSP). Eligible projects must address a highway safety problem or correct or improve a hazardous 

road location or feature.3 Projects must be identified by crash experience, potential, rate, or other data.4 For HSIP eligibility 

guidance—including updates from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), also known as the Bipartisan 

Infrastructure Law (BIL)—see https://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/hsip/rulemaking/docs/BIL_HSIP_Eligibility_Guidance.pdf.

9 percent of projects focused 

on pedestrians and bicyclists.

4.2%

Unknown

THE HIGHWAY SAFETY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (HSIP) 2021

6 percent of projects 

enhanced roadway visibility.

About HSIP

In 2021, an estimated 42,915 people died in traffic crashes in the United 

States—a more than 10-percent increase from the previous year.1 

To address road safety challenges, HSIP supported States with 

more than $3.3 billion in Federal funds in 2021. States used 

these funds to address safety challenges on all public roads, 

including non-State-owned roads and roads on Tribal land.2 

When evaluating projects for HSIP funding, States must 

take a performance-based and data-driven approach.
To find out how HSIP can help 

save lives in your community, 

contact your State DOT:

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

about/webstate.cfm

Have an HSIP success story? Share your projects on Facebook, 

Twitter, and Instagram with #HSIPSavesLives.

5 FHWA, The Safe System Approach (2022), https://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/zerodeaths/docs/FHWA_SafeSystem_Brochure_V9_508_200717.pdf.

6 FHWA, Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) (January 2022), https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/bipartisan-infrastructure-law/docs/hsip.pdf.

Safe Road Users 

Everyone should be able to drive, walk, bike, and take transit safely and accessibly. Because 

they lack the protection of a vehicle, pedestrians and bicyclists are more vulnerable to crashes. 

The HSIP supports safe road users by requiring States to conduct Vulnerable Road User Safety 

Assessments and by funding projects that help pedestrians and bicyclists with infrastructure 

improvements like bike lanes, median crossing islands, and pedestrian hybrid beacons.6

Safe Roads 

Road design can accommodate human mistakes and improve injury tolerances through 

strategies such as physically separating those traveling at different speeds or using signage 

to alert drivers to hazards. The HSIP supports this element by funding work zone safety 

projects and projects that protect road users with countermeasures like rumble strips, 

pavement markings, and lighting.

Safe Speeds

The faster a vehicle is traveling, the greater its risk to human life. Safe speeds are speeds 

that reduce impact forces, improve stopping time, and improve visibility. The HSIP 

supports this element by funding projects that help manage roadway speed, including 

Road Diets, roundabouts, and other traffic calming countermeasures.

Post-Crash Care

If a crash does occur, first responders must quickly reach the scene and assess, stabilize, 

and transport those who were injured. Forensic investigation or incident management teams 

are also important parts of post-crash care. The HSIP supports this element by funding 

projects that improve incident management and rapid post-crash care.

The Safe System Approach acknowledges that road user error is inevitable, but that death or serious injury is 

unacceptable.5 By funding highway safety improvement projects that support Safe System elements, the HSIP helps 

jurisdictions work toward achieving zero deaths.

HSIP helped to support the following Safe System elements: safe road users, safe speeds, safe roads, and post-crash 

care.

The Safe System Approach and HSIP Go Hand in Hand

FHWA-SA-22-070