APWA.net Event Detail

Date(s):

February 2, 2012

Location:

Audio/Web Broadcast

Cost:

Members: $175.00
Non Members: $300.00

Description:

Roadway safety is a vital component of local government. However, reduced budgets make many projects seem out of reach. Safety Improvements do not have to cost an agency a lot of money. Low Cost Safety Improvements (LCSI) can have a significant impact.

This program will detail what two entities have done in the way of LCSI.

In 2009, Larimer County, Colorado started a Low Cost Safety Program to better understand vehicular crashes on Larimer County roads and to identify, implement, and evaluate roadway improvements using minimal funding. The program provides the overall policy, process, funding, and tools to reduce the severity and the number of crashes, especially in locations with high crash rates.

The potential solutions are derived from staff experience, current practices for other agencies, and state of the art research typically using the 5 E's the Roadway Safety Tool Box:

Engineering (low cost- such as signing and striping), Education, Encouragement, Enforcement, and Evaluation.

The program, run completely with in-house staff and just $65,000 per year, has resulted in greater understanding, a systematic approach to safety, the data to pursue and obtain additional funding, and measurable improvements.

Kentucky has participated in the FHWA�s pooled study on Low Cost Safety Improvements since 2005 through the Safety Circuit Rider program. The objective of the program is to provide technical assistance to local agencies for improving the safety of rural, low volume roads through the implementation of low cost infrastructure improvements.

The Safety Circuit Rider utilizes a data driven approach to assist local agencies in the identification of potential routes to review for low cost safety improvements. Road Safety Audit Reviews are performed to help identify roadway hazards specific to a given roadway. Advice is given on potential solutions / countermeasures. Technical assistance is provided as needed during implementation of the improvements. Examples of these improvements are removal of fixed objects such as trees, brush, stumps, etc. and installation of signage per the MUTCD guidelines.

The program also provides Low Cost Safety Improvement training. These one day workshops are offered free of charge to local agencies at Area Development District offices across the state. Funding for the program is provided through a grant from the FHWA and KY Transportation Cabinet with contributions from the University of Kentucky. The SCR program is administered by the KY Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP), which is housed in the Technology Transfer Program of the KY Transportation Center at the University of Kentucky.

The cooperative effort fostered by this program between local agencies, KYTC, UK, KTC, KY LTAP, ADD's and the FHWA is saving lives everyday across the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

After viewing this program, participants will be better able to:

� Explain how to utilize the 5 E�s of the Roadway Safety Tool Box
� Know the components of and how to undertake an effective low-cost safety program with very limited funding
� Identify improvements that their agency can implement

This program has been approved for .2 CEUs or 2 PDHs. The form to request these credits is available upon completion of the class evaluation. Please note there is a $5 fee per individual requesting CEUs.

Speaker:

Martina Wilkinson, P.E., PTOE

Traffic Engineer
Larimer County, CO

Martina Wilkinson has a B.S. degree in civil engineering from Colorado State University and an M.S. degree in traffic engineering and transportation planning from University in Washington in Seattle.

She has worked in a variety of engineering capacities, including stints with the Washington State and Texas Departments of Transportation, and a number of years as a transportation consultant in northern Colorado. She currently serves as the traffic engineer for Larimer County, Colorado, overseeing traffic operations, safety, and planning. She also works on high profile corridor projects and coordinates public outreach efforts for the department.

She�s a registered professional engineer and professional traffic operations engineer.

Speaker:

Todd Morrison, P.E., K.C.P.M.

Safety Circuit Rider
Technology Transfer Engineer
Technology Transfer Program, Kentucky Transportation Center

Todd Morrison, P.E., K.C.P.M. is the Safety Circuit Rider and a Technology Transfer Engineer with the Technology Transfer Program, Kentucky Transportation Center. Todd retired as a Transportation Engineering Supervisor for the Project Delivery and Preservation Branch with the Kentucky Department of Highways, District Three, after nineteen years of service.

Todd has worked with environmental, work zone, construction and maintenance concerns as an Environmental Coordinator, Maintenance Engineer, Resident Engineer, and as a Branch Manager for Operations.

Speaker:

John McFadden

Safety/Geometric Design Engineer
SAFETY AND DESIGN TEAM
FHWA Resource Center

John began working in the field in 1992 and joined the FHWA in 2001. Prior to joining the FHWA he served as an Assistant Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Alabama. He has worked in FHWA Office of Research and Development where his primary duties included: managing safety and highway asset management related research projects; and conducting staff research studies with the goal of quantifying the safety effects of low cost safety improvements.

John�s areas of expertise are: Geometric Design of Highways, Highway Safety Analyses and Statistical Analysis Some recent examples of projects done in support of the Division Offices: Interchange Workshop, Statistical Training � Application of the Empirical Bayes (EB) Approach to Evaluating Highway Safety and Evaluation of Low Cost Safety Improvements

Education:
� Bachelors in Civil Engineering, Villanova University
� Masters in Civil Engineering, Villanova University
� Masters of Science in Statistics, George Washington University
� PhD., Civil Engineering, Pennsylvania State University
Licenses and Registrations:
� Registered Professional Engineer � District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, Virginia, West Virginia
� Certified Professional Traffic Operations Engineer

Speaker:

Moderator: Laurel A. McKean, PE

Traffic Engineer
Missouri Department of Transportation
Kansas City, MO

Laurel McKean is the District Traffic Engineer for the Missouri Department of Transportation in Kansas City. She has been with the department for 15 years and has worked in construction inspection, traffic operations, and project management prior to her current position. For several years she managed the state's portion of the OzarksTraffic Arterial Management System located in Springfield, MO.

Ms. McKean earned her Bachelor's of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Missouri - Rolla.

Content Questions:

Phyllis Muder
(800) 848-2792
education@apwa.net

Technology Questions:

Phyllis Muder
(800) 848-2792
education@apwa.net