The H-GAC Traffic Safety Program2004 Status Report

Report to theTechnical Advisory Committee

September 8, 2004

Ned Levine, PhDHouston-Galveston Area Council

Houston, TX

• 1999-2001: Houston region252,240 serious crashes 1,882 fatalities281,914 persons injured

• The region accounted for:26% of all statewide crashes27% of all statewide injury crashes 17% of all statewide fatal crashes

• The region has 22% of the statewide populationand, approximately, 21% of the statewide VMT

• Likelihood of a fatal or injury crash was: 36% higher than statewide average149% higher than national average

Seriousness of Problem

Worsening Trend in Safety

Trends in Regional Motor Vehicle Crashes: 1998-2001

70000

75000

80000

85000

90000

1998 1999 2000 2001

Year

Num

ber o

f cra

shes

Purpose of the Program

Monitor Safety Obtain data annuallyMap the crashes

Identify Problems and SolutionsIdentify hazardous locations and areaConduct the necessary preliminary engineering

Implement roadway improvementsIdentify funding sourcesLeverage local investment with State and Federal funds

Support other safety effortsEnforcementEducationSafety partnerships

Combines Analytical MethodologyWith

Policy Tools

High-risk Behaviors: 1999-2001

Region U.S.*• Speeding 39% 13%• Failing to yield 20% 19%• Failing to stop 11% 9%• Running a red light 8% 5%• DUI 7% 7%

(However, involved in 37% of fatal crashes/39% nationally)

• Following too close 3% 3%• Improper turn 2% 2%

* National Safety Council. U.S. average for 1999. Fatal and injury crashes only

High-risk Populations

Region U.S.* Teenagers 21% 16%

(9% of driving age population/5% nationally17% in fatal crashes /14% nationally19% in incapacitating injury crashes)

• Elderly (65+) 8% 8%(9% of driving age population/13% nationally11% in fatal crashes/13% nationally9% in incapacitating injury crashes)

• Male drivers 79% 60%(Compared to 58% for females1.7 times more likely to be in fatal crash/1.4 nationally)

* National Safety Council. U.S. average for 1999. All crashes.

H-GAC Safety Activities

• Jurisdictional comparisonsBrazoria County / Fort Bend County / Galveston CountyHarris County / Montgomery County / HoustonAlvin / Conroe / Old River-Winfree

• Corridor analysisUS 59 W / SH 35 / SH 288SH 105 / SH 99 / FM 359FM 518 / FM 830 / FM 1960FM 2232 / FM 2432 / John F. Kennedy BlvdKirby Drive / Nichols Sawmill Road / Spring SteubnerSH 99/Proposed Metro North Line

• Small area analysisTexas Medical Center Houston City Council District D

Safety Analysis

Serious City Crash

riskPearland 378Galveston 337Baytown 334Rosenberg 320Pasadena 290Conroe 247Houston 232Texas City 211Sugar Land 192

City Crash Risk(Serious Crashes per 100 Million VMT)

Hot Spot Analysis

344 Major Hot Spots

Numerous Minor Hot Spots

Houston East EndCity of PasadenaFM 518FM 1960

Safety Projects & Access Management

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

Pearland Friendswood League City Kemah

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

200

Conflict Points and Crashes on FM 518: 1998-2000Number Per One Mile Segment

Nu

mb

er o

f co

nfl

ict

po

ints N

um

ber o

f crashes

CrashesConflict points

Source: Kimley-Horn H-GAC

• Safety MeetingsRegional Bicycle-Pedestrian CommitteeKirby CoalitionGreater Houston PartnershipEmergency Trauma Care Policy CouncilU. of Texas Public Health School GIS ConferenceU. of Houston Transportation & Mobility ConferenceTexas Transportation Planning ConferenceTexas Medical Center Bicycle-Scooter Mobility Committee

• Developing Plans for Safety Courses

Other Safety Activities

http://www.h-gac.com/safety

Safety Web Page