Kerry Wilcoxon, P.E., PTOE, RSP1
State Traffic Safety Engineer
Arizona ITS Conference October 20, 2022
2019 Arizona STSP
Toward Zero Deaths by Reducing Crashes for a Safer Arizona
In 2018 there were 1011 traffic related deaths on Arizona’s roadways
Reduce Traffic Fatalities on Arizona’s Roadways
VISION
CURRENT STATUS
GOAL
2021 Fatality Update
1180 Fatalities
12% increase over 2020
Highest number since 2006
257 Pedestrian (Record High)
711 Lane Departure
296 Intersection Fatalities
From Arizona Crash Facts
https://azdot.gov/sites/default/files/media/2022/09/2021-crash-facts.pdf
What Now?
Will things go back to pre-Pandemic normal?
Do we want pre-Pandemic normal?
Is 1000 deaths a year acceptable?
Annual Traffic Fatalities on All Arizona Roads
Can you imagine our state as a place where nobody dies in vehicle crashes?
How do we get there from here?
The Safe System Approach
A new systemic approach aims to eliminate fatal and serious injuries for all road users by:
Accommodating human mistakes
Keeping impacts on the human body at tolerable levels
Presentation Overview
1
Introduction
2
Safe System Principles
3
Safe System Elements
4
Case Studies
5
Conclusion & Next Steps
The Safe System Approach
What is it?
THE SAFE SYSTEM APPROACH
THE 6 SAFE SYSTEM PRINCIPLES
Source: FHWA
THE 5 SAFE SYSTEM ELEMENTS
Source: FHWA
SUCCESSFUL SAFE SYSTEM ADOPTERS
Sweden
Vision Zero
60-70% Reduction in fatalities 1994-2015
Netherlands
Sustainable Safety
50-60% Reduction in fatalities 1994-2015
Australia
Safe System
50-60% Reduction in fatalities 1994-2015
New Zealand
Safer Journeys
50-60% Reduction in fatalities 1994-2015
Source: World Resources Institute
SAFE SYSTEM IN THE UNITED STATES
Early Adopters
Safe System still too new (in US) to see results
Safe System Principles
Overview of the 6 principles of the Safe System approach
1
Introduction
2
Safe System Principles
3
Safe System Elements
4
Case Studies
5
Conclusion & Next Steps
THE 6 SAFE SYSTEM PRINCIPLES
Death/serious injury is unacceptable
Humans make mistakes
Humans are vulnerable
Responsibility is shared
Safety is proactive
Redundancy�is crucial
DEATH/SERIOUS INJURY IS UNACCEPTABLE
Source: Vision Zero Network
HUMANS MAKE MISTAKES
Source: Fehr & Peers
Crash Kinetic Energy
Source: FHWA
HUMANS ARE VULNERABLE
Serious Injury
Fatality
100%
0%
Fatality Risk
RESPONSIBILITY IS SHARED
System managers
Planners, designers, builders, operators,�maintenance workers
Vehicle manufacturers
Law enforcement personnel
Post-crash personnel
System users
SAFETY IS PROACTIVE
Identify risks
Mitigate risks
REDUNDANCY IS CRUCIAL
Safe road users
Safe vehicles
Safe speeds
Safe roads
Post-crash care
Safe System Elements
Overview of the 5 elements of the Safe System approach
1
Introduction
2
Safe System Principles
3
Safe System Elements
4
Case Studies
5
Conclusion & Next Steps
THE 5 SAFE SYSTEM ELEMENTS
Safe road users
Safe vehicles
Safe speeds
Safe roads
Post-crash care
SAFE ROAD USERS - RESPONSIBILITY
Walk
Bike
Drive
Transit
Accessible
Road use (by any mode) is one of the most dangerous things people each day
The Safe System Approach relies on people understanding this
SAFE ROAD USERS - ENFORCEMENT
Not distracted or impaired
Follow rules (including safety equipment)
Act within the limits of the road design
Source: ADOT
SAFE VEHICLES
Active safety
Measures to reduce the chance of a crash occurring
Passive safety
Protective systems for when crashes do occur
New technology
Leveraging connected and automated vehicle (CAV) technology to improve safety
SAFE SPEEDS
“Speed is at the heart of a forgiving road transport system. It transcends all aspects of safety: without speed there can be no movement, but with speed comes kinetic energy and with kinetic energy and human error come crashes, injuries, and even deaths.”
Differential
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
SAFE ROADS: AVOIDING CRASHES
Avoiding crashes involves:
Separating users in space
Separating users in time
Increasing attentiveness and awareness
Source for all images: Fehr & Peers
SAFE ROADS: CRASH KINETIC ENERGY
Managing crash kinetic energy involves:
Managing speed
Source: ADOT
Manipulating mass
Source: Pinal Central
Manipulating crash angles
Source: City of Tempe, AZ
POST-CRASH CARE
Vital post-crash actions include:
First responders
Medical care
Crash investigation
Traffic incident management
Justice
THE 5 SAFE SYSTEM ELEMENTS CREATE REDUNDANCY
The “Swiss Cheese Model” of redundancy creates layers of protection
Death and serious injuries only happen when all layers fail
Post-crash care
Safe roads
Safe speeds
Safe vehicles
Safe road users
Post-crash care
Safe roads
Safe speeds
Safe vehicles
Safe road users
Source: FHWA
Case Studies
Examples of the Safe System approach in the United States
1
Introduction
2
Safe System Principles
3
Safe System Elements
4
Case Studies
5
Conclusion & Next Steps
PROTECTED BIKE LANES: PHOENIX, AZ
Safe System Elements Covered
Source: City of Phoenix, AZ
US-60 AT I-10 MARICOPA COUNTY, AZ
Safe System Elements Covered
Source: ADOT
Conclusion & Next Steps
Starting the Journey
1
Introduction
2
Safe System Principles
3
Safe System Elements
4
Case Studies
5
Conclusion & Next Steps
Safety Culture
The Safe System Approach requires a change in Safety Culture within many organizations.
Safety culture the shared values, actions, and behaviors that demonstrate a commitment to safety over competing goals and demands. This includes both within the organization (ADOT) and within the public.
The good news is that Safety Culture is reflected in the ADOT True North: SAFELY HOME
Project Example
US-93 Road Widening Project
Nominal
Substantive
Budget Constraints
Opportunities
The Times They are a-Changin’ - Bob Dylan
Where We Go from Here
2024 Arizona Strategic Traffic Safety Plan
The Safe System Approach to be included in 2024 plan. But what does that mean?
Traffic Safety Starts at and Ends at Home,�Drive, bike and walk safely!
Questions?
Kerry Wilcoxon, P.E., P.T.O.E., RSP1
State Traffic Safety Engineer
Arizona Department of Transportation �kwilcoxon@azdot.gov�602-712-2060
Safe System Materials
Find more resources at: safety.fhwa.dot.gov/zerodeaths