2023 National Roadway Safety Awards

Jointly published by the Roadway Safety Foundation and the Federal Highway Administration, the Noteworthy Practices Guide is the official companion publication of the National Roadway Safety Awards. Learn about the winning projects and how they were selected, and find contact information that will allow you to learn more about any of the efforts. 

“The recognition our agency received was fantastic. Not to mention the time I spent in Washington, DC and getting to know all the other award winners!’’

Brent Jennings, Highway Safety Manager

Eligibility for submitting a National Roadway Safety Award application is restricted to public agencies that have implemented a relevant project for public roadway safety benefit. Other groups that have been involved in successful roadway safety efforts (e.g., private entities, academic institutions, nonprofits, etc.) may cosponsor a nomination, provided that a public agency is the lead applicant. Each entry will be judged among other nominations in its category. A nominated project or program must demonstrate evidence of data-supported results, including documentation supporting the project’s or program’s success. Applicants are encouraged to review the application form as they consider submitting a project or program for an award. Projects in both award categories will be judged on the following criteria:

SAFETY EFFECTIVENESS.

Projects or programs that:

• Result in or demonstrate high potential for significantly reducing fatal and serious injury crashes, with an emphasis on states, cities, local or tribal governments with significant reductions in these crash types within the last five years.
• Create a proven case for greater emphasis on roadway safety in transportation planning, programming, project delivery, construction, and/or maintenance.
• Support safety improvements through greater public awareness that yields a positive change in transportation safety culture.
• Include equity considerations through safety solutions that focus on underserved populations.

INNOVATION/TRANSFORMATION

Projects or programs that use innovative concepts at a national, state, or local level including:

• Creative approaches to address highway safety concerns.
• Innovative management approaches to overcoming barriers to safety implementation.
• Inventive solutions to a particular serious injury or fatal crash problem.
• Proactive involvement of the public and/or stakeholders.

COST-EFFECTIVENESS/ECONOMIC STRENGTH

Projects or programs that:

• Are implemented cost-efficiently.
• Use planning and engineering resources efficiently and/or employ cost-sharing through multi-source partnerships, task forces, or coalitions.
• Improve the economic vitality of the community.

FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION

FHWA is an agency within the U.S. Department of Transportation that supports State and local governments in the design, construction, and maintenance of the Nation’s highway system and various federal- and tribal-owned lands. Through financial and technical assistance to State and local governments, we are responsible for ensuring that America’s roads and highways continue to be among the safest and most technologically sound in the world.

THE ROADWAY SAFETY FOUNDATION

RSF is the only national organization solely dedicated to reducing deaths by improving the physical characteristics of America’s roadways – design and engineering, operating conditions, removal of roadside hazards, and the effective use of safety features. RSF works to attain its goals by building awareness through media campaigns and outreach activities, developing educational materials, and forming roadway safety partnerships between the private and public sectors. It is a private, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization chartered by the American Highway Users Alliance.