Evaluations of Low Cost Safety Improvements Pooled Fund Study (ELCSI-PFS)
Objective: The goal of this research is to develop reliable estimates of the effectiveness of the safety improvements that are identified as strategies in the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Report 500 Guides. These estimates are determined by conducting scientifically rigorous before-after evaluations at sites in the U.S. where these strategies are being implemented.
Scope of Work: The scope of the ELCSI-PFS is to conduct a research project of the priority strategies in the NCHRP Report 500 Guides. A target of 20 strategies totaling $4.38 million for 6 years is planned for ELCSI-PFS studies in four phases.
Resources: The data for this study will be gathered from States that either have already implemented the selected strategies, or will implement the strategies over the course of a few years for the purpose of evaluation by this study. The greater the number of States implementing the strategies, the faster the rate of “after” data collection, which shortens the total time required for each evaluation.
Methodology: The methodology utilized will typically be an Empirical Bayes evaluation, using before-after data to determine the effectiveness of the selected strategies in reducing the number and severity of crashes. The implementation of the strategies and the evaluations will be staggered, grouping a small number of the evaluations together, as appropriate.
Participating States: AZ, CA, CT, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, MN, MS, MT, NC, ND, NY, OK, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, and VA.
Strategy Selections: The ELCSI-PFS has four Phases (I-IV). Strategies (based on suggested strategies in the NCHRP Report 500) for all phase are selected through balloting conducted in the annual Technical Activity Committee (TAC) meetings.
Results and Applications:
The goal of the ELCSI-PFS is to provide a Crash Reduction Factor (CRF) and Benefit/Cost (BC) economic analysis for each of the targeted safety strategies. The CRFs and the economic analyses will be used by the Department of Transportation (DOT) in planning for the implementation of these safety improvements. Our goal as we conduct these studies is to learn and improve our processes to assist in the field implementation of these safety strategies. The degree of success in the evaluation of each strategy will vary depending on the level of DOT support and the availability and reliability of the collected data.
The final result of the ELCSI-PFS will be published by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), and also will serve as a resource for the Highway Safety Manual (HSM) and other technical publications.
Dissemination of Results: Please see the Publications and Other Resources links.
Progress Report: Please see the Publications page under “Progress Reports.”
For more information contact:
Roya Amjadi, Highway Research Engineer
Office of Safety Research & Development, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
6300 Georgetown Pike, McLean, VA 22101
Phone: 202-493-3383, Fax: 202-493-3374, roya.amjadi@fhwa.dot.gov
