MassDOT Issues New Safety Action Planning Primer for Massachusetts Communities

MassDOT Issues New Safety Action Planning Primer for Massachusetts Communities

MassDOT's new Safety Action Planning Primer for Massachusetts Communities is now available on the MassDOT Website here:

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/highway-safety-municipal-resources

On the page, scroll down to Safety Action Plan to download here:

https://www.mass.gov/doc/safety-action-planning-primer-for-massachusetts-communities/download

MassDOT asked us to share the link to the Safety Action Planning Primer for Massachusetts Communities with the ACEC/MA firms as a reference to aid in the development of safety action plans.  Many of the Massachusetts cities and towns are working on their Safety Action Plans and may be seeking assistance from consultants.  The Safety Action Planning Primer outlines the key elements of a Safety Action Plan, and shares success stories from MassDOT’s partnerships with Brockton, Lynn, and Springfield during the development of their safety action plans.

MassDOT began working on the Safety Action Planning Primer for Massachusetts Communities in December 2023 in response to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), which established the Safe Streets 4 All (SS4A) discretionary program.  The purpose of the Safety Action Planning Primer is to assist communities as they create their Safety Action Plans for the SS4A Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), which has $5 billion in appropriated funds over 5 years (2022-2026) with the goal of preventing roadway deaths and serious injuries. 

MPOs, cities, towns, and other special districts are eligible to apply for the SS4A funding.  The eligible activities for the Grant include:

• Developing or updating a “Comprehensive Safety Action Plan”
• Conducting planning, design, and development activities in support of a Safety Action Plan
• Carrying out projects and strategies identified in a Safety Action Plan

The Safety Action Planning Primer for Massachusetts Communities touches on all required sections of a Safety Action Plan but focuses specifically on safety analysis (Section 3) and safety countermeasures (Section 7).  Although the Primer was written in response to the SS4A funding opportunity, this document will continue to be relevant after the SS4A funding period concludes, as it provides a framework for communities to identify, implement, and track progress towards eliminating serious injuries and fatalities on Massachusetts roadways.

- updated 8-22-24