Transportation Industry

Roadway Safety Awards recognize programs in 13 States

Public Roads, March-April, 2004

On behalf of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Roadway Safety Foundation, FHWA Administrator Mary E. Peters recently recognized projects in 13 States with 2003 National Highway Safety Awards. The awards highlight initiatives that save lives by improving roadway design, operations, and planning. Each year, FHWA offers the awards in the categories of infrastructure improvements; operational improvements; and program planning, development, and evaluation.

Highway programs in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, New York, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Washington received awards. A regional traffic system with roadway sections in Kentucky and Indiana also received an award. The winners were selected from more than 130 entries, and included six State transportation departments, a regional transportation consortium, two counties, two cities, and a State police agency.

FHWA recognized some projects for their capacity to reduce crashes, while others were honored for their contributions to pedestrian safety and environmental preservation. The California Department of Transportation, for example, improved the Angeles Crest Highway (S.R. 2) corridor by reducing the speed limit, requiring daytime headlights in one section, instituting a doublefine zone, and installing a guardrail upgrade--all of which led to a marked reduction in crashes. Montgomery County, MD, developed design standards that include provisions for sidewalks and bike paths on residential streets and collector roads to ensure the safety of nonmotorized traffic.

For more information about the winning projects, visit www.fhwa.dot.gov/pressroom/fhwa0333.htm.>