Safety is Everyone’s Responsibility.
The AASHTO Safety Action Plan calls for safety to be considered and included in decision-making throughout the transportation project lifecycle and across transportation agency functions.
The Safe System Approach starts from two principles: people make mistakes, and the human body can only withstand so much force in a crash. The approach is to design the transportation system so that all elements work together so that a mistake never costs a life.
Since every function in a transportation agency shapes outcomes, we’ve compiled links to implementation resources recommended by safety practitioners and experts like you. Search a keyword at the top of the page, or click on the relevant lifecycle stage in the infographic below for a function-specific search.
Missing a resource? Go to the button at the bottom of the page to suggest a resource you recommend, or to suggest a resource that should be developed.
Incorporating Safe System principles into everyday decisions is how we work together to move Toward Zero Deaths.
FHWA and the Safe System Approach:
Zero is our goal. A Safe System is how we get there.
Safe System Approach & The Project Lifecycle
Leadership & Safety Culture
Establish safety as a core value throughout the agency and the community
Leadership & Safety Culture Continues Through Every Phase While Safety Is Considered at Every Decision Point
Planning
Visioning, planning, prioritization, programming, and research
Project Development
Project identification, environmental assessment, cost estimates, ROW, utilities
Design
Engineering, field surveys, alignment, geometry, traffic analysis, construction drawings & specs
Construction
Preconstruction, permitting, contracting, kickoff, traffic control, staging, construction
Operations & Maintenance
TSM, operations, incident management, maintenance, seasonal activities
Gather user needs and expectations and influence positive behavior