January 2016                       Issue 20
In This Issue
Introducing CT DOT's New Strategic Highway Safety Plan Website!
Great News About T2 Center's Safety Circuit Rider Program
Tips from Tony
NCHRP Report on Local Road Safety
National Center for Rural Road Safety ~ Monthly Webinar Series
Tips from Tony - Answers
Introducing CT DOT's New Strategic Highway Safety Plan Website!

 

We are very pleased to introduce you to CT DOT's new CT Strategic Highway Safety Plan Website! 

Information will be added as we grow the site, we think this is a great start.

 

On the site you will have access to: 

  • Detailed descriptions of the CT Emphasis Areas and news from Emphasis Area Champions
  • The current SHSP document
  • A form to submit ideas to the CT DOT Safety Team 
  • Helpful links to state, regional and national safety resources

We hope you will find this new resource useful! 

 

Click Here to check out this great new resource tool.    

Great News About T2 Center's Safety Circuit Rider Program

We are very pleased to announce that our Safety Circuit Rider program has been continued by the CT Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration for three (3) more years.
We look forward to continuing the great work we have started in Connecticut.
 
As you consider your Roadway Safety needs for next year, don't forget that Tony Lorenzetti, our Safety Engineer, is available to:
  1. Meet with you to discuss your roadway safety needs
  2. Facilitate Road Safety Assessments (RSA's) on your local roads
  3. Assist you in the development of Local Road Safety Plans
  4. Provide equipment through our T2 loan program
  5. Provide roadway safety training to your staff, through our Safety Academy Programs and through custom programs for your agency. 

Schedule time with Tony and he can work with you to best determine how we can help.   

Tips from Tony

What is Wrong Here? 
There are two mistakes with these signs. Can you identify them? 
Find the answers at the bottom of the newsletter. 

If you have roadway safety questions please contact:

 

Anthony Lorenzetti P.E. - Safety Circuit Rider

860-486-5847 or lorenzetti@engr.uconn.edu
 

NCHRP Report on Local Road Safety

After a national survey of State DOT's, Connecticut was one of 10 states chosen to highlight partnerships and practices related to improving fatalities and injuries on local roadways. 
 
The researcher from Villanova University - Dr. Seri Park highlighted, very favorably, the following  CT noteworthy practices: 
  • Strong Partnership between CT DOT and the T2 Center to assist local agencies with education and technical assistance
  • CT DOT's focus on systemic safety improvement initiatives for local roadways
  • Data Driven approach to Safety through the availability of timely crash data (CT's Crash Data Repository)  
  • Funding of the statewide Safety Circuit Rider Program

The draft report of this National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Synthesis can be found here.

National Center for Rural Road Safety ~
Monthly Webinar Series


 

The National Center for Rural Road Safety hosts FREE, 1-1.5 hour webinar series monthly. CEUs will be available to participants for FREE for the majority of these monthly webinars. 
 
 
Instructions on accessing the webinar will be sent by email after your registration is confirmed.  

Webinar Topics This Spring:
  • Application of Systemic Safety to Non-Engineering Concern
  • Rural Signing and Marking Resources
  • An Overview of the Factors that Increase Organization Safety Culture 
To register for webinars go to this link.
Tips from Tony - Answers
 
  1. There are two conflicting regulatory signs mounted in the same location (stop sign and speed limit).
  2. Improper signing can confuse motorists. 
Section 1A.02 of the MUTCD gives the guidance that, to be effective a traffic control devise should:
"Convey a clear, simple meaning" and "The proper use of traffic control devices should provide the reasonable and prudent road user with the information necessary to efficiently and lawfully use the streets, highways, pedestrian facilities and bikeways".
 
If you have any ideas or suggestions for future Connecticut Crossroads topics, please feel free to email the designer Regina Hackett at hackett@engr.uconn.edu.