ROADWAY INFRASTRUCTURE SAFETY
Motorcyclists are justifiably concerned about the effects of roadway infrastructure smoothness on motorcycle handling and operational safety. FHWA, through the Federal-aid and Federal land highway programs, provides financial and technical resources to State, local, and other Federal agencies for the improvement and preservation of America’s highway system. The design, construction, operation, and preservation of the roadway relating to motorcycle safety are of prime concern to FHWA. NHTSA will continue to support FHWA’s efforts in analyzing the current and future roadway issues in identifying specific actions to improve safety. In addition, receiving input on roadway infrastructure related safety issues from the motorcycle community is crucial for an effective program to be planned by both NHTSA and FHWA. FHWA has already initiated actions to address motorcycle safety needs relating to the roadway infrastructure. FHWA, working in partnership with the AMA, has taken steps to improve roadway surfaces, through guidance regarding using non-slippery road sealants and repair substances. This has been carried out in combination with educational campaigns.
FHWA’s Roadway Infrastructure Safety Program:
Develop
Best Practice Guide for Improving Motorcycle Safety (implementation
of Strategy 11 of the AASHTO Strategic Highway Safety Plan through
TRB Study 17-18). The FHWA, in cooperation with NHTSA, is working
with the Transportation Research Board and others on the implementation
of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation’s Strategic
Highway Safety Plan (SHSP) (http://safetyplan.tamu.edu).
The purpose of the SHSP is to improve safety on the Nation’s highways
through a comprehensive approach (enforcement, engineering, education
and emergency medical services) with input and participation from many
organizations and individuals. The SHSP has six main areas (driver,
vulnerable users, vehicles, highways, EMS and management). In the vehicle
areas is the strategy "Improving Motorcycle Safety and Increasing Motorcycle
Safety Awareness" whereby an Implementation Guide to improve motorcycle
safety is being developed. The guide will contain engineering, as well
as educational, enforcement, and emergency medical services crash countermeasures
to improve motorcycle safety. Upon completion of the Guide, FHWA will
conduct a technology transfer and marketing activities as part of the
overall SHSP implementation program. Targeted completion date– August
2004