The U.S. Federal Highway Administration has released a memorandum that provides interim preliminary guidance to state departments of transportation on implementation and administration of the High Risk Rural Roads Program contained in the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU). This interim guidance memo provides State Departments of Transportation with basic preliminary information to implement and administer the new High Risk Rural Roads Program (HRRRP).

As a new statutory requirement, we expect to learn from ongoing implementation practices in the HRRRP. Best practices and implementation techniques associated with the State's application of this provision will be shared nationally and could include modifications to this guidance. We welcome ideas and suggestions on how to better identify and analyze safety needs on rural roads that will lead to better use of limited HRRRP funds.

This program represents a significant step toward recognizing the need to reduce fatalities on rural roads, which account for almost two-thirds of the over 43,000 roadway fatalities in the U.S. If we are to make headway in reducing fatalities and serious injuries, we must improve safety on rural roads, regardless of ownership.

External Links:

More Information: safety.fhwa.dot.gov/safetealu/hrrrpmemo.htm