The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) recently released new guidance on implementing changes to the highway safety funding program. The program received additional funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
“FHWA’s goal is to help state and local transportation agencies across the country deliver projects that make streets, highways, and bridges safe and accessible for all users,” Deputy Federal Highway Administrator Stephanie Pollack said.
The guidance complements the department’s new National Roadway Safety Strategy and ensures funds are used strategically to make travel safer. It outlines several changes to the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP), emphasizing infrastructure safety improvements.
From 2016 to 2020, HSIP received $11.5 billion under the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act. Funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will increase HSIP funding to $15.6 billion from 2022 to 2026.
The law gives states more flexibility to use up to 10 percent of their HSIP funds for safety projects that include noninfrastructure safety projects such as research, emergency services, automated traffic enforcement systems, public awareness campaigns, and efforts to protect children.
The law also establishes the Vulnerable Road User Safety Special Rule. In states where 15 percent or more of fatalities annually are vulnerable road users, states must dedicate at least 15 percent of HSIP funds the following fiscal year to projects that address the safety of these users.