Strategic Transportation Safety Plan

About STSP

Vision

The future of Colorado is zero deaths and serious injuries so all people using any transportation mode arrive at their destination safely.

Mission

Colorado agencies and partners will cooperatively implement strategies that eliminate transportation system fatalities and serious injuries.

Identify Strategies

The STSP identifies several strategies that will help Colorado become a national leader in safety.

Set Performance Targets

The STSP targets a 15% reduction in fatalities and serious injuries for both off-system and on-system crashed by 2023.

Background

The State of Colorado is committed to the well-being of its citizens and visitors, and wants to be even more effective in improving roadway safety around our state. The STSP establishes a collaborative and shared vision and mission for the transportation safety in Colorado. It relies on the premise that every agency and jurisdiction has a role in enhancing transportation safety for every transportation mode in Colorado through policy, planning, funding, design and construction, operations, and maintenance. The STSP identifies strategies and countermeasures with the highest potential to save lives and prevent injuries.

Collaboration

The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), Colorado Department of Revenue (CDOR), Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), and the Colorado State Patrol (CSP) are the lead agencies that directed the development of the STSP.

The strategic collaboration between these lead agencies and various safety agencies and initiatives across the state of Colorado is essential to the execution of the STSP Tier I Strategies and the achievement of the STSP performance target: a 15% reduction in fatalities and serious injuries statewide by 2023.

Additional Information

Please contact the STSP implementation and planning team via email at [email protected]. We will do our best to respond promptly.


BROWSE THE STSP & OTHER RELATED TOPICS

Strategy Partners


The STSP development process is an opportunity to update statewide direction on transportation safety based upon data driven and statewide needs. The STSP is the State of Colorado's overall strategic safety plan for state agencies, cities, counties, and other organizations and advocacy groups. Essential to the STSP development process is the coordination with numerous national, international, state, and local strategic safety plans, programs, initiatives, projects, and tasks for various transportation modes. These efforts inform and support the STSP. We have identified the strategy partners by agencies, initiatives, organizations, and stakeholders below. If your agency, initiative, or organization is not listed, please contact us.

Lead Agency

F

Federal Highway Administration

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

FHWA Office of Safety

FHWA National Highway Institute

G

Grand Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization

Grand Valley Transportation Planning Region

Gunnison Valley Transportation Planning Region

I

Intermountain Transportation Planning Region

L

Local Technical Assistance Program

M

Mothers Against Drunk Driving

Motorcycle Operator Safety Advisory Board

N

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

National Workzone Safety

North Front Range Metropolitan Planning Organization

North Front Range Transportation Planning Region

Northeast Colorado Association of Local Governments

Northwest Transportation Planning Region

P

Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments

Pikes Peak Transportation Planning Region

Pueblo Area Council of Governments

Pueblo Area Transportation Planning Region

R

Region 10 League for Economic Assistance and Planning

Road Safety Strategy

S

Safe Routes to School

Safety Circuit Rider

San Luis Valley Development Resources Group

San Luis Valley Transportation Planning Region

Share the Road

South Central Council of Governments

South Central Transportation Planning Region

Southeast Colorado Enterprise Development

Southeast Transportation Planning Region

Southern Ute Indian Tribe

Southwest Colorado Council of Governments

Southwest Transportation Planning Region

Statewide Traffic Records Advisory Committee

T

The Mountain Rules

Transportation Commission, District 1

Transportation Commission, District 2

Transportation Commission, District 3

Transportation Commission, District 4

Transportation Commission, District 5

Transportation Commission, District 6

Transportation Commission, District 7

Transportation Commission, District 8

Transportation Commission, District 9

Transportation Commission, District 10

Transportation Commission, District 11

U

UN Decade of Actions

Upper Arkansas Area Council of Governments

Upper Front Range Transportation Planning Region

V

Vision Zero Boulder

Vision Zero Denver

W

Whole System Whole Safety


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Performance Targets


Implementation of the STSP strategies is anticipated to reduce the number and rate of fatalities and serious injuries in Colorado. The STSP identifies performance targets for these measures to be achieved over the 2020 to 2023 period of the plan. Achieving the performance targets is dependent upon the lead agencies’ attention and devotion of resources to implement the strategies.

Recognizing that the STSP vision will be realized over a long term, the Executive Committee established a 15% reduction in fatalities and serious injuries as the performance target for the 2020 to 2023 time frame. This target is both plausible and aggressive given the estimated effectiveness of the STSP strategies. Note: If vehicle miles traveled (VMT) increases as expected, a commensurate decease in crash rates will be required to achieve the targeted reduction in serious injuries and fatalities.

The same performance targets apply for all serious injuries and fatalities, as well as serious injuries and fatalities of non-motorized roadway users. These performance targets should influence, and be influenced by, Office of Transportation Safety (OTS) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) targets.

2020 STSP

2020 STSP

2020 STSP

2020 STSP


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Emphasis Areas


Emphasis Areas are a required element of strategic highway safety plans and are based on traffic crash data analysis and broad stakeholder input. The Emphasis Areas for the Colorado STSP were identified by the Steering Committee and participants at the Regional Stakeholder Workshops and were then further defined by the Emphasis Area Teams.

STSP High Risk Behavior

High-Risk Behavior

Aggressive Driving

Distracted Driving

Occupant Protection

Car Seat

Seat Belt

Impaired Driving

STSP Vulnerable Roadway Users

Vulnerable Roadway Users

Motorcyclists

Bicyclists and Pedestrians

Older Drivers

Young Drivers

Work Zones

First Responders

STSP Severe Crash Mitigation

Severe Crash Mitigation

Infrastructure (Rural and Urban)

Crash Reduction Locations

Intersections

Roadway Departures

STSP Programmatic

Programmatic

Data

Safety Program Coordination and Cooperation

Emergency Medical Services / Law Enforcement

 Legislation


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Tier I Strategies


Based on the Emphasis Areas, stakeholders identified 15 Tier I (highest priority) Strategies that focus on proven countermeasures and targeted deployment, utilize current technologies, and identify roles and responsibilities for implementation. A concise presentation of the Tier I Strategies information is provided below.

Key User Types

Each of these distinct users types identified below can play a crucial role in maximizing the safety improvements associated with the Tier I strategies.

STSP User Type - Traffic Engineers Traffic Engineers

STSP User Type - Law Enforcement Law Enforcement

STSP User Type - Emergency Services Emergency Services

STSP User Type - Communication/Education Communication/Education

STSP User Type - Advocacy Groups Advocacy Groups

STSP User Type - Agency Safety Program Officials Agency State Program Officials

STSP User Type - Legislative Liaisons Legislative Liaisons


A. Name a safety champion to lead a proactive safety program

The goal is to name a safety champion to lead an inclusive safety program with the responsibility, resources, and authority to advance safety strategies more effectively.

STSP User Type - Traffic Engineers STSP User Type - Advocacy Groups STSP User Type - Agency Safety Program Officials

Action Items

Create and hire a safety-focused program lead

Progress Metrics

 Safety program created

Key Partners

 Advocacy Groups

B. Build a safety advocacy coalition

The goal is to build a safety coalition of advocacy groups and state and local agencies to function as a lobbying and advocacy group.

STSP User Type - Communication/Education STSP User Type - Advocacy Groups STSP User Type - Agency Safety Program Officials STSP User Type - Legislative Liaisons

Action Items

Collaboration across multiple agencies

Identify representatives from key partners/agencies to join the coalition

Develop coalition charter (mission, vision, goals, and strategies)

Identify statewide safety needs that can be voiced by the coalition

Progress Metrics

Safety Coalition created

Number of safety coalition meetings

Percent of stakeholders who are coalition members

Key Partners

AAA

 AARP

Advocacy Groups

 City and County Agencies

C. Institutionalize safety roles and responsibilities

The goal is to establish agreements that define the ways agencies and organizations work together to deliver safety programs, including roles and responsibilities.

STSP User Type - Traffic Engineers STSP User Type - Law Enforcement STSP User Type - Emergency Services STSP User Type - Communication/Education STSP User Type - Agency Safety Program Officials

Action Items

Formalize safety-related roles among state agencies

Establish safety performance criteria for partners and key staff

Progress Metrics

Need for formal agreement is quantified

Percent of formal agreements executed

Key Partners

City and County Agencies

 Local Law Enforcement

D. Coordinate with existing safety programs

The goal is to coordinate the development and implementation of safety programs, incorporating strategies among agencies at the federal, state, and local level.

STSP User Type - Traffic Engineers STSP User Type - Law Enforcement STSP User Type - Emergency Services STSP User Type - Communication/Education STSP User Type - Advocacy Groups STSP User Type - Agency Safety Program Officials STSP User Type - Legislative Liaisons

Action Items

Facilitate communication among safety program leaders

Identify gaps and overlaps in roles and responsibilities

Build a matrix of major program strategies

Progress Metrics

A matrix of existing programs is established

Percent of the matrix that is complete

Key Partners

Regional, Local, State, and Federal Planning Agencies

 Advocacy Groups

 AAA

 CDOT Task Forces

E. Promote consistent safety messaging

The goal is to coordinate efforts of safety agencies and advocacy groups to develop consistent safety messaging broadcast to audiences across the state.

STSP User Type - Law Enforcement STSP User Type - Communication/Education STSP User Type - Advocacy Groups STSP User Type - Agency Safety Program Officials

Action Items

Develop common safety messaging

Create a matrix of existing messaging campaigns

Generate template materials for local and partner agencies

Progress Metrics

Message templates are created

Percent of safety entities using message templates

Message matrix is created

Key Partners

Advocacy Groups

City and County Agencies

Metropolitan Planning Organizations

Local Law Enforcement

F. Develop education campaigns for high-risk behaviors

The goal is to develop outreach campaigns on occupant protection education aimed at high-risk groups to enhance and coordinate efforts among statewide education platforms.

STSP User Type - Traffic Engineers STSP User Type - Law Enforcement STSP User Type - Emergency Services STSP User Type - Communication/Education STSP User Type - Advocacy Groups STSP User Type - Agency Safety Program Officials

Action Items

Identify existing statewide and local education campaigns aimed at high-risk behaviors

Develop a communications team

Develop and launch high-risk education campaign for the general public

Progress Metrics

Number of campaigns created

Percent of safety entities promoting campaigns

Various behavioral metrics (e.g. seatbelt and helmet usage)

Key Partners

Advocacy Groups

CDOT Task Forces

Local Law Enforcement

G. Provide transportation safety education to student and families

The goal is to establish a culture of safety among young people through transportation education safety programs, including bicyclist and pedestrian courses.

STSP User Type - Law Enforcement STSP User Type - Communication/Education STSP User Type - Advocacy Groups STSP User Type - Agency Safety Program Officials

Action Items

Establish partnership between CDOT and CDPHE to align and elevate existing transportation safety programs

Develop a comprehensive curriculum

Incorporate interactive training into education programs

Progress Metrics

Curriculum templates are created

Number of schools presenting curriculum

Number of schools presenting safety information

Key Partners

SRTS Programs

CDOT Highway Safety Office

Local Planning Agencies

Advocacy Groups

Law Enforcement

H. Prioritize transportation safety funding

The goal is to elevate the importance of funding safe infrastructure and transportation through decision-maker education on safety programs and improvements.

STSP User Type - Traffic Engineers STSP User Type - Advocacy Groups STSP User Type - Agency Safety Program Officials STSP User Type - Legislative Liaisons

Action Items

Develop a transportation safety self-assessment tool for local and regional jurisdictions

Research and quantify overall state safety improvement needs

Conduct an analysis to determine the level of safety funding needed

Progress Metrics

The amount and percent of funding dedicated to safety by agency

Transportation Commission Safety Sub-Committee reinstated

STIP and TIP processes are amended

Key Partners

Directors of Regional and Local Planning Agencies

City Councils

Planning Commissioners

I. Prioritize safety in transportation planning, facility design, and project selection

The goal is to review policies and processes of roadway planning, design, and project selection and advocate for increasing the relevance of safety in those processes.

STSP User Type - Traffic Engineers STSP User Type - Agency Safety Program Officials STSP User Type - Legislative Liaisons

Action Items

Amend the STSP and MPO TIP to prioritize projects that address identified safety issues

Update CDOT design manual and local design guidelines with greater safety emphasis

Develop a road design manual for local facilities, rural areas, and urban highways

Develop model traffic calming design criteria and standards

Progress Metrics

CDOT design manual and local design guidelines are updated

Intersection Control Evaluation policy is adopted

STIP and TIP processes are amended

Key Partners

Directors of Regional and Local Planning Agencies

Public Work Departments

Local City Engineers

J. Education decision-makers on the effectiveness of occupant protection laws

The goal is to document the benefits of occupant protection laws (e.g. seatbelt usage, helmet use, restriction on the use of personal devices) and educate decision-makers on their benefits.

STSP User Type - Communication/Education STSP User Type - Advocacy Groups STSP User Type - Agency Safety Program Officials STSP User Type - Legislative Liaisons

Action Items

Develop education materials for decision-makers and the general public

Engage advocacy groups to promote legislative changes

Develop safety awareness test for decision-makers

Progress Metrics

Decision-maker safety awareness test scores

Number of education materials produced for decision-makers

Key Partners

CDHS

Local Law Enforcement

AAA

 Emergency Medical Responders

Rocky Mountain Insurance Advisors

Advocacy Groups

Local Governments

K. Increase requirements for new and renewal driver licensing

The goal is to expand the graduated driver licensing (GDL) system to increase education and practice requirements for new drivers to obtain a license. Develop testing requirements to verify driver competency with aging.

STSP User Type - Advocacy Groups STSP User Type - Agency Safety Program Officials STSP User Type - Legislative Liaisons

Action Items

Compare Colorado requirements and crash data for new and older drivers with peer states

Educate decision-makers via legislative liaisons

Work with law enforcement and medical professionals to evaluate driving competency and referral system

Progress Metrics

Change driver licensing requirements

Percent of crashes and severe crashes of younger and older drivers

Key Partners

CDOT's Occupant Protection Task Force

Colorado Young Driver Alliance

Colorado Public Utilities

 AARP

AAA

Drive Smart Colorado

L. Establish a framework for streamlining data management

The goal is to improve data gathering, reporting, storage, linkage, processing, analysis, and dissemination throughout the state by creating traffic records databases following the FHWA measures of quality.

STSP User Type - Traffic Engineers STSP User Type - Law Enforcement STSP User Type - Emergency Services STSP User Type - Communication/Education STSP User Type - Agency Safety Program Officials

Action Items

Create a statewide web-based crash data entry form for consistent data entry by law enforcement

Coordinate and communicate with state and local agencies that manage crash data

Progress Metrics

Percent of law enforcement agencies that adopt the web-based crash data entry form

Number of meetings for Statewide Traffic Advisory Committee

Number of meetings for leadership liaison group

Key Partners

Any stakeholders involved in the Statewide Traffic Advisory Committee (STRAC)

City, County, and Local Enforcement

M. Prioritize and promote proven safety toolbox strategies

The goal is to educate state and local engineers on effective safety toolbox strategies and promote their use in design practices and Local Road Safety Plans. Advocate for funding to implement proven strategies and prioritize safety in facility design.

STSP User Type - Traffic Engineers STSP User Type - Law Enforcement STSP User Type - Emergency Services STSP User Type - Agency Safety Program Officials

Action Items

Prioritize proven countermeasures in the design of transportation facilities and Local Roadway Safety Plans

Develop a technology toolbox of proven safety countermeasure

Educate state and local traffic engineers on proven safety countermeasures

Develop a safety self-assessment tool for local jurisdiction

Progress Metrics

Number and crash rates of fatal, serious injury, bicycle, and pedestrian crashes

Number and percent increase of safety infrastructure features (e.g. miles of median barrier, miles of rumble strips, and others)

Key Partners

City and County Transportation Departments

CDOT Safety Circuit Rider

N. Implement systemic infrastructure safety improvement strategies

The goal is to build on existing safety implementation projects and programs. Identify and implement most effective wide-scale systemic safety mitigation strategies simultaneously with hotspot improvement projects.

STSP User Type - Traffic Engineers STSP User Type - Law Enforcement STSP User Type - Communication/Education STSP User Type - Agency Safety Program Officials

Action Items

Identify systemic safety measures to address most common crash types

Develop and dedicate funding program to implement proven strategies

Expand the CDOT Safety Circuit Rider program

Continue edgeline striping and median barrier installation program on rural highways

Progress Metrics

Number and crash rates of fatal, serious injury, bicycle, and pedestrian crashes

Number and percent increase of safety infrastructure features (e.g. miles of median barrier, miles of rumble strips, and others)

Key Partners

 City and County Transportation Departments

CDOT Regional Traffic Engineers

O. Increase education on and implementation of data-driven and automated enforcement

The goal is to increase application of data-driven enforcement for speeding and red-light running at high crash locations. Education decision-makers on the effectiveness of automated enforcement as a safety enhancement.

STSP User Type - Traffic Engineers STSP User Type - Law Enforcement STSP User Type - Agency Safety Program Officials

Action Items

Publish a white paper on the effectiveness of automated and data-driven enforcement at improving safety

Create a how-to guide for local agencies on the implementation of automated and data-driven enforcement

Progress Metrics

Number and percent of communities with policies favorable for automated and data-driven enforcement

Number of locations that have demonstrated improvements in safety performance due to automated and data-driven enforcement

Key Partners

 CDOT's Office of Transportation Safety

Local Agencies

Law Enforcement


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2023 Vulnerable Road User (VRU) Safety Assessment and the Safe System Approach


Colorado’s Vulnerable Road User Safety (VRU) Assessment is an addendum to the Colorado 2020-2023 Strategic Transportation Safety Plan (STSP) that serves as a roadmap that describes safety issues facing people walking and bicycling in the state and how to best address them. It is a high-level planning document that begins the process of applying the Safe System Approach to roadway safety for VRUs. This document will be updated with each subsequent revision of the state's strategic safety plan and incorporate additional consultation of safety stakeholders across Colorado as part of the next strategic safety plan update process.


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Crash Data Dashboards


Transportation safety is a top priority for Colorado. CDOT Traffic Safety & Engineering Services developed performance dashboards displaying all reporting public roadway crashes in Colorado to better understand numbers, causes, types, and locations of crashes in order to develop effective countermeasures and meet performance targets.

Disclaimer: Colorado traffic crashes as presented in the dashboard are approximate and subject to change. The official number of traffic fatalities in Colorado can be found on NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) site.

Statewide Summary Dashboard

Statewide Summary

Performance Tracking

Occupants

Non-Motorists


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MEETING SCHEDULE