What is a Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP)?

An SHSP is a statewide-coordinated safety plan that provides a comprehensive framework for reducing highway fatalities and serious injuries on all public roads. The SHSP strategically establishes statewide goals, objectives and key emphasis areas developed in consultation with federal, state, local and private sector safety stakeholders.

The SHSP plan process is a requirement of the Federal Highway Administration's Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP). In general, the federal HSIP requires that state transportation departments develop an SHSP that:

• Includes consultation from a variety of stakeholders during the development process.
• Analyzes and makes effective use of crash data.
• Addresses the 4Es plus management and operations. (The 4Es are engineering, enforcement, education and emergency services.)
• Considers the safety needs of all public roads.
• Describes a program of projects or strategies to reduce or eliminate safety hazards.
• Is implemented and evaluated.

When will Iowa’s SHSP be revised?

Over the next few months, the Iowa DOT, along with many highway safety interests, will discuss and then develop an updated Strategic Highway Safety Plan.

Why now?

The Iowa Comprehensive Highway Safety Plan was developed in 2006 and a peer review was conducted in 2011. It is time for an update.

How is the Iowa SHSP developed?

This effort is led by the Office of Traffic and Safety and will be similar to the 2006 Iowa Comprehensive Highway Safety Plan. The process will include collaboration to analyze Iowa safety data, and identify safety improvement strategies and opportunities.


  For more information, contact: SHSP program manager