It's been a productive 13 months! Since signing the Cooperative Agreement with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) last fall, RSF has made progress toward resuming full-time organization operations by hiring a Managing Director, re-establishing contacts with stakeholders, establishing an accounting system that meets standards for federal reimbursement, making appearances at safety events to promote RSF programs and outreach, and making contacts within the broader safety community to grow the membership of the advisory committee and get the data quality and public education campaign tasks underway. Many efforts related to the three tasks defined in the FHWA grant awarded to RSF in the fall of 2006.

Administration

• Selected Cathy Gillen as new Managing Director
  In September, RSF welcomed Cathy Gillen to run RSF's day-to-day operations as its new Managing Director.
  
  
• Improved Accessibility to RSF Communications
  We stepped up an ongoing, labor-intensive effort to maintain the most current, up-to-date list of contacts of all RSF members and advocates. As a result, over 600 new contacts are receiving RSF's e-newsletter. We updated a significant amount of data on the RSF web site.

Programs

• Co-sponsored the 2007 National Roadway Safety Awards with FHWA
  We worked throughout 2007 with FHWA officials to plan the 2007 biennial Roadway Safety Awards program that culminated with recognition of 15 local programs from 12 states on November 7, 2007. RSF expanded its outreach efforts to safety partners to improve participation, was represented on the Blue Ribbon judging panel, and engineered significant press coverage of the event as a benefit for the honorees.
  
  
• Participated in New Highway Safety Partners Venture
  RSF participated in a meeting in October 2007 hosted by the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) to discuss raising awareness and increasing public support for highway safety at the national level.
  
  
• Provided Support for U.S. RAP Program Progress
  RSF Exec. Director Greg Cohen served on the U.S. Road Assessment Program (USRAP) Advisory Committee and participated in ongoing program efforts. Involvement in USRAP and the use of lessons learned is an integral part of RSF's plans for the data quality task.
  
  
• Participated in DOT Motorcycle Safety Partnership
  At the request of NHTSA staff, RSF's Executive Director attended two quarterly meetings of the DOT Motorcycle Partnership program, whose goal is to promote all safety activities to reduce motorcycle injuries and fatalities. RSF has provided a unique perspective to the group by focusing attention on roadway safety solutions.
  
  
• Participated in Safer Roads Steering Committee Planning Meeting
  The steering committee met in December 2006 when AAA and AARP re-affirmed their support for partnership and made financial contributions to show their support. RSF participation in the AAA Foundation safety surveys and focus groups will be useful in developing a preliminary communication strategy for Grant Task 2.
  
  
• Helped Improve the Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day (PTBF)
  RSF representatives attended several PTBF Day meetings and conference calls and we are continuing to serve as a "Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day" partner. RSF has offered to help improve the effectiveness of PTBF outreach and dramatically increase involvement in 2008.

Outreach

• Expanded Contacts in Safety Community
  
  
  • RSF Executive Director Greg Cohen addressed Local Technical Assistance Program Association (LTAPA) members in July when RSF became a Platinum Sponsor of the National LTAP/TTAP Annual Meeting. He promoted involvement by local officials in future roadway safety campaigns that are being designed for public and media attention in 2008.
    
    
  • RSF was represented at the National Association of County Engineers' 2007 Annual Conference in April where Greg Cohen addressed the NACE Board of Directors to encourage greater county engineer involvement in RSF. Nearly 1/3 of all conference attendees stopped by RSF's booth.
    
    
  • RSF's Executive Director spoke at the American Traffic Safety Services Association's annual fly-in in May. He discussed the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP), its need for refinement, and its potential as a model for data-driven, performance-based programs in the next highway reauthorization bill.
    
    
  • RSF's Executive Director was a featured speaker at the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials Retreat and Visioning Conference in May. He emphasized the importance of safety, congestion relief and freight mobility.
    
    
  • Greg Cohen participated in a 60-minute digital video conference for the State Department and the American Embassy in Namibia in October speaking about partnerships in highway safety.
    
    
  • We encouraged involvement in RSF by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, whose research and expertise may be helpful for assisting RSF in FHWA Grant Task 1. The extensive outreach abilities of insurance companies may become useful during Grant Task 2. RSF staff also developed a database of potential safety partners and contacted safety leaders seeking their cooperation on the data quality task.
    
    
• Published and Distributed Roadway Safety Reporter
  We developed and distributed the RSF Reporter, the Foundation's quarterly e-newsletter that highlights the latest RSF activities for nearly 1,000 road safety advocate recipients.
  
  
• Developed New RSF Literature
  We introduced two new informational brochures: "It's No Accident," outlining RSF's mission and goals, membership benefits, and the "Roadway Safety Checklist," identifying key items to make driving safer for motorists.

As of November 30, 2007