IRR Safety Management
System
15th NW Tribal Transportation Symposium
Bureau of Indian Affairs
&
Federal Lands Highway
Outline
What is known about Tribal
transportation safety
 Define Safety Management
System
 BIA Safety Management
System

Bureau of Indian Affairs & Federal Lands Highway
What is known
Motor vehicle fatalities are the
leading cause of death of Indian people
ages 1 through 44.
 Alcohol is the leading cause of
motor vehicle crashes.
 Motor vehicle fatality rate among
Indians is 2 to 3 times the rate for nonIndians.

Source: INDIAN STATE TRAFFIC RECORDS ASSESSMENT April 25 - 29, 2005
Bureau of Indian Affairs & Federal Lands Highway
What is known
Tribal Reservations with Safety Belt Use Subject to Tribal Traffic Law Enforcement
Area
Number
Total Population*
% Native American*
Great Lakes
13
39,797
30%
Northern Plains
20
162,659
60%
Northwest
29
101,425
34%
South Central
11
52,850
19%
South & East
33
33,496
65%
Southwest
71
322,023
80%
Total
177
712,250
61%_____
*Source: 2000 U.S. Census
Source: Safety Belt Use Estimate for Native American “Tribal Reservations”Subject to Tribal Law and Tribal Traffic Enforcement.
NHTSA Traffic Tech Publications Number 304 September 2005
Bureau of Indian Affairs & Federal Lands Highway
What is known

belt use rate
• male passengers in pickups 39.1%
• female drivers of SUVs 67.7 %.
Source: Safety Belt Use Estimate for Native American “Tribal Reservations”Subject to Tribal Law and Tribal Traffic Enforcement.
NHTSA Traffic Tech Publications Number 304 September 2005
Bureau of Indian Affairs & Federal Lands Highway
What is known
• Reservations had
primary safety belt
laws. Use rate 68.6%.
• Reservations had
secondary belt laws.
Use rate 53.2%
• No belt use laws.
Use rate 26.4%.
Selt Belt Use Rate Percentage
80.00%
70.00%
60.00%
50.00%
Primary
40.00%
Secondary
30.00%
None
20.00%
10.00%
0.00%
Primary
Secondary
Source: Safety Belt Use Estimate for Native American “Tribal
Reservations”Subject to Tribal Law and Tribal Traffic
Enforcement. NHTSA Traffic Tech Publications Number 304
September 2005
Bureau of Indian Affairs & Federal Lands Highway
None
Addressing Transportation
Safety
Safety Management System
Development of SMS for
Indian Reservation Roads

FHWA published rule on
February 7, 2004
Title: Federal Lands Highway Program;
Management Systems Pertaining to the
Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Indian
Reservation Roads Program
Bureau of Indian Affairs & Federal Lands Highway
Various Management
Systems
Pavement



Bridge
Safety
Congestion
Bureau of Indian Affairs & Federal Lands Highway
What is a Safety
Management System?

A Tool used by decision makers
to have the ability to systematically
identify, prioritize, correct, and
evaluate the performance of their
transportation safety investments.
Bureau of Indian Affairs & Federal Lands Highway
SMS Goal
Ensuring that improvements to
roadway safety are:
 Identified
 Considered
 Implemented
 Evaluated
Bureau of Indian Affairs & Federal Lands Highway
SMS Application
During all phases of development:
 Planning
 Design
 Construction
 Operation
 Maintenance
Bureau of Indian Affairs & Federal Lands Highway
Purpose
Provide a strategic approach
for:
 Transportation planning
 Program development
 Project selection
Bureau of Indian Affairs & Federal Lands Highway
Approach
Strategic Highway Safety Plan
for Indian Lands
 Indian Reservation Roads
Safety Management
Implementation Plan

Bureau of Indian Affairs & Federal Lands Highway
Did You Know?
Improvements at Intersections
Sight distance improvements
New traffic signals
Turning lanes and traffic channelization
Reduction in Fatality Rate
56 percent
53 percent
47 percent
Bridge Improvements
New bridge
Upgrade bridge rail
Widening a bridge
Reduction in Fatality Rate
86 percent
75 percent
49 percent
Roadway Improvements
Construct median for traffic separation
Realign roadway
Groove pavement for skid treatment
Widen or improve shoulder
Reduction in Fatality Rate
73 percent
66 percent
33 percent
22 percent
Roadside Improvements
Upgrade median barrier
New median barrier
Reduction in Fatality Rate
66 percent
63 percent
Source: TRIP Publication February 2005
http://www.tripnet.org/hsfactsheet.htm
Bureau of Indian Affairs & Federal Lands Highway
Strategic Highway Safety Plan for
Indian Lands
Emphasis Areas
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)
decision making processes
data collection
run off the road crashes
occupant protection/child restraint
alcohol/drug impaired driving
other driver behavior and awareness
drivers under the age of 35
pedestrian safety.
Bureau of Indian Affairs & Federal Lands Highway
Steering Committee




Ensuring that the intent of the
strategic plan is preserved
Monitoring of transportation safety
statistics in Indian Lands
Sharing successes and best
practices
Development of an action specific
Safety Management System
Implementation Plan.
Bureau of Indian Affairs & Federal Lands Highway
SMS Committee
Back Row: left to right

Cordell Ringell –Montana/Wyoming
Tribal Leaders Council

Kirk Vinish – Lummi Nation

Jon Otterson – Spokane Tribe

Bob Bini – FLH DC

Rudy Umps – FHWA DC

Greg Schertz – FLH CFL
Front Row: right to left

Marcia Marsh – WA State FARS

LeRoy Gishi – BIADOT

Joseph Bonga – BIA NWRO
 Craig Genzlinger – MT/FHWA

Kyle Kitchel – BIA NWRO

Chimai Ngo – FLH DC
Bureau of Indian Affairs & Federal Lands Highway
Questions?
Bureau of Indian Affairs & Federal Lands Highway