ATSSA endorses rural road safety legislation introduced in the House

attsa rural road safety

ATSSA endorses rural road safety legislation

Rep. Tom O’Halleran (D-Ariz.) and Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) introduced H.R. 2481, the High Risk Rural Roads Safety Grant Program Act, in the U.S. House of Representatives. The bipartisan proposal, which is strongly supported by ATSSA, would direct federal roadway safety infrastructure funds to locally owned rural roads.

The fatality rate on rural roads is two times greater than on non-rural roads, according to U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) statistics. Additionally, local governments generally do not have the resources needed to make critical, lifesaving roadway safety infrastructure investments.

H.R. 2481, which was introduced late Tuesday, would create a $750 million competitive grant program that local governments could apply for, with the federal grant being funded at 100%. A specific $150 million set-aside is also included for tribal road safety.

In addition to ATSSA, the American Highway Users Alliance, American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), National Association of Counties (NACo), National Association of County Engineers (NACE) and the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) endorsed the legislation.

“Rep. O’Halleran’s and Rep. Westerman’s commitment to rural road safety is a testament to their leadership on the issues affecting rural Americans and tribal nations all across the country,” ATSSA President & CEO Stacy Tetschner said. “ATSSA applauds the introduction of HR 2481 and our 1,500 members look forward to working with Congress to ensure that roadway safety is the central focal point for federal transportation policy. We know that investments in roadway safety infrastructure projects like the ones in this legislation will certainly save lives and ATSSA is dedicated to standing shoulder-to-shoulder with these members of Congress to reduce roadway fatalities toward zero.”

The Act spells out 20 categories of road projects that would qualify for funding.

A road safety audit.
An intersection safety improvement.
Installation of rumble strips or another warning device, if the rumble strips or other warning devices do not adversely affect the safety or mobility of bicyclists, pedestrians and the disabled.
An improvement for pedestrian or bicyclist safety or safety of the disabled.
Construction of a railway-highway crossing safety feature, including installation of protective devices.
Construction of a traffic calming feature.
Improvement of highway signage and pavement markings, including to meet minimum levels of retroreflectivity established by the Department of Transportation.
Installation of a priority control system for emergency vehicles at signalized intersections.
Installation of a traffic control or other warning device at a location with high accident potential.
Installation of guardrails, barriers (including barriers between construction work zones and traffic lanes for the safety of motorists and workers), and crash attenuators.
The addition or retrofitting of structures or other measures to eliminate or reduce accidents involving vehicles and wildlife.
Installation and maintenance of signs (including fluorescent, yellow-green signs) at pedestrian-bicycle crossings and in school zones.
Installation of a skid-resistant surface at any intersection or other location with a high frequency of accidents.
Improvement of an edge drop-off that is greater than 4 inches.
Spot pavement and shoulder widening.
Elimination of a roadside obstacle.
Systemic improvements focusing on low-cost safety infrastructure investments.
Traffic enforcement or other activities relating to work zone safety.
Installation of vehicle-to-infrastructure communication equipment.
Installation or improvement of highway signage and pavement markings to accommodate advanced technologies to assist with the deployment of automated and connected vehicles.