FHWA Tweaks Highway Safety Improvement Plan

The Federal Highway Administration has published changes to Highway Safety Improvement Program regulations derived from MAP-21 and the FAST Act. The updated rule, published March 15, removes the requirement for states to prepare a transparency report describing not less than 5% of locations that exhibit the most severe safety needs, removes the High Risk Rural Roads set-aside and removes the 10% flexibility provision for states to use safety funding under federal law.

The Highway Safety Improvement Program is considered a core federal-aid plan designed to achieve a significant reduction in fatalities and serious injuries on public roads. The HSIP requires a data-driven, strategic approach that focuses on performance.

The publication of the final rule comes the day before Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx is scheduled to testify before the Senate Appropriations subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies.