Description

Workshop Description Rural roadways face unique safety challenges. Rural crashes are more likely to be at higher speeds and involve unbelted occupants, and are therefore more severe than urban crashes. Emergency response times are longer. Hazards such as trees, utility poles and steep slopes are often close to the roadway. In addition, budgets are severely limited and there may be a lack of awareness of safety issues. This one-day workshop, aimed at local/rural road agencies, demonstrates how construction and maintenance activities impact roadway safety and encourages development of a safety mindset. Practical guidance is provided on improving road safety that is specifically geared to the day-to-day activities and project development processes of local/rural road agencies. Attendees will learn how to identify specific road safety problems and to identify practical, low-cost countermeasures to address the problems, both in existing roads and during project development. Attendees will also be able to identify and access appropriate road safety information and use it effectively. Who Should Attend Individuals from the following areas should find this workshop beneficial: local and rural road supervisors, public works directors, elected officials, law enforcement personnel, emergency medical personnel, representatives of regional/rural development organizations and representatives of local planning commissions and safety committees.