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<br /> ~ ® 6~ V) <br /> r°a ~ <br /> HIGHWAY SAFETY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM <br /> Questions and Answers <br /> The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users <br /> (SAFETEA-LU; Public Law 109-59) establishes a new Highway Safety Improvement Program <br /> (HSIP) that is structured to make significant progress in reducing highway fatalities and serious <br /> injuries. A considerable increase in funding is provided for the HSIP that is nearly double what <br /> was available in TEA-21. States will be required to develop and implement a Strategic Highway <br /> Safety Plan (SHSP) that involves a comprehensive,' data driven approach to highway safety. The <br /> HSIP also includes set aside funds to improve safety on rural roads and at railway-highway <br /> crossings. This initial set of Questions and Answers has been prepared by the FHWA Office of <br /> Safety to outline overall provisions and address key issues; additional Q&As will be prepared as <br /> other issues arise or further clarification is appropriate. <br /> Hi hway Safety Improvement <br /> Pro~ramSafety <br /> Improvement Program <br /> 1. What are the funding levels for the HSIP and are there any sub-allocations for specific <br /> purposes? <br /> The "new" HSIP is implemented by Section 1401 of SAFETEA-LU, which establishes a new <br /> Section 148 as part of Title 23 of the United States Code (23USC 148). Authorized funding <br /> levels for the new HSTP are as follows: <br /> FY 2006 $1,235,810,000 <br /> FY 2007 1,255,709,322 <br /> FY 2008 1,275,929,067 <br /> FY 2009 1,295,474,396 <br /> Under TEA-21, States received an average of nearly $662 million per year under the previous <br /> HSIP provisions. The average for the next four years under SAFETEA-LU will be $1.265 <br /> billion, nearly twice the amount under TEA-21. <br /> Section 148 establishes sub-allocations (`set asides') for two specific purposes: <br /> 1) Highway-Rail Grade Crossings: $220,000,000 is o be set aside each fiscal year (Fiscal <br /> years 2006 - 2009) from 23USC148 for the elimination of hazards and the installation <br /> of protective devices at highway-rail grade crossings (projects eligible under <br /> 23USC130.) <br /> 2) High Risk Rural Roads: $90,000,000 each fiscal year (Fiscal years 2006 - 2009) for <br /> construction and operational improvements on high risk rural roads. <br /> 2. When does the new Highway Safety Improvement Program become effective? <br /> The new program will become effective on October 1, 2005, the beginning of FY 2006. <br /> FHWA Office of Safety; 9/14/05 Page 1 of 8 <br /> _ _ _ _ <br /> <br />