For county and township roads, ODOT has created a table and map that exhibit the sections of county and township roads that have an incapacitating injury and fatality rate above the statewide average from 2006 through 2010. However, since ODOT may not have the actual volume of daily traffic data for the specific roadway section an estimated value may have been used. The local jurisdiction will have to enter the actual volume data into the spreadsheet below to calculate the fatalities and incapacitating injuries crash rates for the section and compare to the statewide average. If the calculated rate exceeds the statewide rate for the respective functional classification on a specific roadway, the section would be eligible for HRRRP funding.

Expand the section below to view the maps for the State and Local Systems.

The current statewide crash rates per 100 million vehicle miles traveled for fatalities and incapacitating injuries for the three HRRRP-eligible functional classifications are as follows: (Updated August 2011)

State System Crash Rates:

Local System Crash Rates*

The rural minor collector rate is used as a conservative estimate for the rural local road classification since the mileage of state and U.S. routes classified as rural local roads is extremely limited.

*Weighted Average ADT - The values were derived utilizing the available data within HPMS per functional class. The weighted average ADT values are then used to calculate the crash rate of fatalities and incapacitating injuries to determine if these roadway sections are HRRRP eligible. If a local jurisdiction exceeds the crash rate threshold based on an ADT which differs from the calculated weighted average ADT and will be requesting for HRRRP funds, the local jurisdiction must supply the "crash rate calculation spreadsheet" (see below) showing the ADT used for the calculation at the time of the request.

What is the maximum funding amount available for any given project?
Technically, the maximum funding amount for a project is $5 million. But with just over $2.5 million available each year, ODOT needs to apportion its HRRRP funding in a reasonable manner that provides money for a number of projects.

What share of a project’s funding can be paid for with federal funding?
The federal share of a project’s cost is 90%, with a 10% non-federal match required.

What can the money be used for?
It can be used for construction and operational improvements on high risk rural roads as defined above.

What are some examples of eligible “construction and operational improvements”?
Some examples of eligible improvements are:

• an intersection safety improvement
• pavement and shoulder widening, including addition of a passing lane to remedy an unsafe condition
• installation of rumble strips or another warning device, if the rumble strips or other warning devices do not adversely affect the safety or mobility of bicyclists, pedestrians, and the disabled
• installation of a skid-resistant surface at an intersection or other location with a high frequency of accidents
• an improvement for pedestrian or bicyclist safety or safety of the disabled
• construction of a railway-highway crossing safety feature, including installation of protective devices
• construction of a traffic calming feature - elimination of a roadside obstacle
• improvement of highway signage and pavement markings
• installation of a priority control system for emergency vehicles at signalized intersections
• installation of a traffic control device or other warning device at a location with high accident potential
• operational activities relating to work zone safety
• installation of guardrails and/or barriers, including barriers between construction work zones and traffic lanes for the safety of motorists and workers, and crash attenuators
• addition or retrofitting of structures or other measures to eliminate or reduce accidents involving vehicles and wildlife
• installation and maintenance of signs, including fluorescent, yellow-green signs, at pedestrian-bicycle crossings and in school zones

What are some examples of ineligible “construction and operational improvements”?
Some examples of ineligible improvements are:

• the conduct of a model traffic enforcement activity at a railway-highway crossing
• safety-conscious planning
• improvement in the collection and analysis of crash data
• planning integrated interoperable emergency communications equipment and traffic enforcement activities (including police assistance) relating to work zone safety

How does a local government apply for funding?
A local government must complete a Safety Project Application.

In the “Brief Project Description” box on the application, the project should be designated as a High Risk Rural Roads project. In the “Summary of Problem Statement:” box, the narrative should indicate that the location meets the functional classification and fatality and incapacitating injury crash rate criteria.

The completed application should be submitted to the local government’s respective ODOT district office, to the attention of the District Safety Review Team chairperson.

The application should be accompanied by supporting documentation, such as crash information, collision diagrams or a formal safety study. The magnitude of supporting documentation will be determined by the funding request. It may be sufficient to submit basic information for a small funding request. Large funding requests may require a formal safety study. Please work with your district coordinator to determine the appropriate level of effort.

How is an application processed and how is a local government notified of an application’s final status?
The District Safety Review Team chairperson will review the application, and will contact the local government if additional information or clarification is needed. Once the application is deemed complete, it will be forwarded to the ODOT Office of Systems Planning and Program Management.

Most applications are accepted twice a year on April 30 and September 30. However, because of the time limitations associated with HRRR funding, ODOT will accept qualifying applications at any time.

The applications are reviewed by an ODOT Central Office committee comprised of individuals representing the disciplines of traffic engineering, safety analysis and roadway design. The committee can approve an application, select a different safety strategy or request further study before allocating funding. The local government requesting the HRRR funding will receive a written notification of the committee’s decision.