Program Overview

Beginning in fiscal year 2014, approximately $3.9 million dollars has been programmed in the Idaho Transportation Improvement Program for the Local Highway Safety Improvement Program (LHSIP). The LHSIP is the Local Highway Jurisdiction potion of the state’s Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) which was established in the Federal Transportation Act SAFTEA-LU. The Local Highway Technical Assistance Council received all of the crash data for the Local System from the Idaho Transportation Department’s office of Highway Safety, insuring that the data is GIS compatible. The LHSIP, like the national HSIP requires that the analysis of the data would determine the locations and the level of funding that would be allowed to be used within that agency. The funding for this program was distributed between the ITD and LHTAC by formula made up of the lane miles, the number of fatal and serious injuries crashes for the past five years and the vehicle miles travel in each of the ITD districts for both the state and local highway system. The local portion of this funding is split within the six ITD districts.

Using five years of crash data, the top five most harmful events were identified for each district in the state.  Within each district’s top five crash categories, the five jurisdictions with the highest occurrences are eligible to apply for LHSIP project funds.

Application Process

Eligible jurisdictions will be provided with the following package of information on CD: Program overview letter, LHSIP application (a spreadsheet), supplemental tools and information, crash data for that jurisdiction and district, and the ArcGIS Explorer application to view the data, if needed.  Agencies needing data in a format other than ESRI ArcGIS files can contact LHTAC.

1. The LHJs are encouraged to look at projects that would have the largest favorable impact on the crash issues as identified. A systemic approach to these projects is encouraged.  A cost benefit ratio will be used to rate these projects.
2. Projects are federally funded at 92.66 percent with a 7.34 percent local match. Projects scheduled for 2014 that require Right of Way are not eligible.
3. Each jurisdiction should examine the crash data, both the locations and crash details, and determine the countermeasures which will provide the most notable reduction in crashes.  In the event that your agency may need assistance in the analysis and/or the selection of the countermeasure that your agency would like to use, please contact LHTAC as soon as possible for assistance.
4. Once the local agency has identified common elements from their crash analysis and/or RSA, the agency can use the FHWA Toolbox of Countermeasures and Their Potential Effectiveness for Roadway Departure Crashes or The Toolbox of Countermeasures and Their Potential Effectiveness for Intersection Crashes.  Both of these documents are located on the CD provided. The two toolboxes will provide a Crash Modification Factor (CMF) for each type of project.  The CMF will need to be used on the application form to calculate the cost benefit ratio of the project.  The maximum CMF which can be used or combination of CMFs that can be used on an application is 60%.  If you have a combination of factors that equal more than 60% the form will only allow 60% to be used.

Alternately, the development of a Road Safety Audit will be allowed as an eligible project.  Up to 10% of the cost in each district will be allowed for Road Safety Audits.  A separate application will be developed for a RSA, if a jurisdiction feels a specific need will be addressed and benefit will be derived.  In keeping with the safety program fundamentals, a Road Safety Audit should also focus on the top five crash causes.

The completed project application must be submitted to LHTAC by February 29, 2012. These applications will be reviewed by the LHTAC Council and staff based upon the rating criteria, primarily the Cost/Benefit Ratio.  Successful projects must be ready for construction in Fiscal Year 2014.

All projects must meet Federal and State standards, warrants and ADA requirements.  Project types may include: Road Safety Review (RSR), Agency wide Safety Plan, Guardrail upgrade or removal, removal of fixed objects from clear zones, traffic and pedestrian signal optimization, installation, and upgrades,  horizontal and vertical curve modifications, sight distance and drainage improvements, bridge railing replacement or retrofit, roadway intersection improvements to improve safety, mid-block pedestrian crossings, shoulder and center line rumble strips, and improved permanent signing and pavement markings. This list is not all inclusive and other types of safety improvement projects can be submitted for consideration.  Maintenance project of the current system cannot be applied for in this application.

Application:

Application Process (MS Word)

LHSIP Application (MS Excel)

Supplemental:

LHSIP Overview Letter (MS Word)

Roadway Departure Issue Brief (PDF)

Intersection Issue Brief (PDF)

Traffic Signals Issue Brief (PDF)

List Jurisdictions, top 5 categories per District (MS Excel)