DEVELOPMENT OF A METHODOLOGY FOR EVALUATING PROJECTS INVOLVING INDIRECT IMPROVEMENTS OF TRAFFIC ENGINEERING AND SAFETY

The importance of applying proper evaluative techniques to highway safety programs has been emphasized by the enactment of Public Law 89-564. Chapter 4 of this law, commonly referred to as the Highway Safety Act of 1966, consists of a series of program standards which carry legal weight and establish minimal requirements which the states should follow. Included in this legislation are mandatory requirements pertaining to the evaluative aspects of programs receiving federal funds. Individual states and local governments are fully responsible for implementing and evaluating programs appropriate to their individual jurisdiction and needs.; The majority of project elements in traffic engineering programs are not designed to impact traffic safety directly. The prime emphasis of the majority of project elements is on improving the efficiency of traffic engineering related activities. Many large scale traffic programs can be considered as a system composed of components (or variables) and of processes which interrelate the system components. Due to the indirect effects of many projects, a secondary impact analysis approach is needed in the evaluative effort. In addition, the complexity of the social, economic, political and environmental systems involved makes the evaluation of traffic engineering projects a difficult task. The problem is further compounded by the fact that most local agencies do not employ personnel with the required technical expertise to properly evaluate traffic engineering improvement projects within their community.; A procedural evaluation methodology has been developed which can be used to ascertain the effectiveness of traffic engineering projects that have an indirect effect on highway safety. The methodology fills the gap that existed between the evaluation requirements of traffic engineering improvements and the real world needs of practitioners. The developed evaluation procedure: (1)Contains a comprehensive methodology which can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of projects implemented for improvement of traffic engineering and safety activities at the local level. (2)Outlines the appropriate analysis procedures and the associated sources of needed data for the proper evaluation of programs in an easily understood manner. (3)Includes a methodology for calculating the indirect effects of traffic engineering improvement programs. (4)Is constructed in such a way that it can be implemented at various levels by individuals of differing technical expertise.