A strong safety action plan (SAP) is a fundamental tool for improving roadway safety, whether or not the plan is developed through the Federal Highway Administration’s Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) program. While SS4A grants provide a structured framework and financial support, many cities and counties have successfully developed and implemented their SAPs using local resources. A well-developed plan brings together engineers, planners, city staff, elected officials, roadway users, vulnerable road users and other stakeholders to identify risks, prioritize solutions and build communitywide support for safety improvements.
Foundations of a Successful Safety Action Plan
An SAP starts with a commitment from leadership and building support from the top. When elected or appointed leaders champion safety, it signals to staff and the public that action will follow, creating momentum for securing funding, engaging the community and advancing projects. Leadership is not just about establishing goals — it involves making safety a core value across an agency, from planning to design to construction to maintenance.
Data-driven safety analysis is the backbone of a strong SAP. Engineers and planners use crash data, traffic volumes and roadway design features to identify high-crash and high-risk locations. This information helps staff and elected officials understand where investments can have the greatest impact. Community members provide further insight by sharing their experiences using the transportation network, whether as drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists, people with disabilities or transit users. This insight can help provide context for known safety issues, reveal safety concerns not evident in crash reports, and can help designers tailor improvements to mitigate the underlying factors that contribute to crashes.
Public and key stakeholder engagement and collaboration help align safety improvements with local needs. Transportation planners work with residents, businesses, vulnerable road users and advocacy groups to gather input on challenges and potential solutions. Successful engagement efforts use various methods, such as surveys, interactive mapping tools, community pop-up events to meet people where they are and in-person meetings. Local governments often scale engagement efforts to fit available budgets, using digital platforms to maximize outreach.
Project prioritization is informed by observed differences between demographic groups or regions in traffic crash experience and the distribution of safety improvements. Planners analyze crash data alongside demographic information to identify communities disproportionately affected by traffic injuries and fatalities. Engineering teams can then incorporate design solutions tailored to high-risk areas, so safety benefits can address the needs and concerns of all road users.
From Planning to Implementation
A well-designed SAP goes beyond identifying problems — it outlines actionable steps for improvement. Policy and process changes play a key role in sustaining long-term safety gains. For example, staff may revise roadway design guidelines to incorporate proven safety measures, such as narrower lane widths or enhanced pedestrian crossings. By embedding safety principles into design criteria and everyday operations, communities can make incremental progress even when major infrastructure projects are not immediately feasible.
Selecting a balanced mix of infrastructure upgrades, behavioral interventions and operational safety measures helps maximize impact. Identifying short-term and low-cost opportunities in SAPs can help communities see quick wins and build support for larger, more expensive and longer-term projects. Engineers and transportation planners collaborate to develop project lists that align with funding opportunities and capital improvement plans, supporting implementation that is both feasible and effective. When local leadership supports these initiatives with clear communication and transparent decision-making, it builds public trust and increases the likelihood of long-term success.
Long-Term Sustainability and Program Effectiveness
Sustaining progress requires ongoing commitment from decision-makers and municipal staff. Safety initiatives should not be viewed as one-time efforts but as evolving programs that adapt to changing transportation needs. Periodic data reviews, evaluations of constructed safety improvements and plan updates allow communities to measure success and refine strategies over time. Crash data, speed studies and public feedback inform adjustments to engineering solutions and policy recommendations.
Building a culture of safety means integrating these efforts across departments. Public works teams, transit agencies and law enforcement all contribute to safety outcomes. By fostering interdepartmental coordination, government agencies can align policies and projects to improve pedestrian and bicyclist infrastructure, enhance public transit safety, and reduce conflicts between different roadway users.
Overcoming Barriers to Implementation
Translating a safety plan into tangible improvements can be challenging. Without a clear road map for implementation, municipalities may struggle to act. Bringing along decision-makers from the beginning helps build long-term support. Developing a prioritized project list based on data analysis and community input provides a structured approach. Addressing public concerns early in the process fosters stronger support for proposed safety measures, reducing the likelihood of opposition that could delay projects.
Aligning safety initiatives with broader transportation and land use plans also strengthens implementation efforts. By incorporating safety into long-term planning documents and capital improvement plans, local governments can see that future projects align with SAP recommendations, increasing the likelihood of securing funding from multiple sources.
Public engagement remains critical throughout the implementation process. Elected officials and staff can keep residents informed and involved to maintain momentum. Transparency in decision-making and clear communication about project benefits help build trust and sustain public support.
Developing an SAP is a proactive step communities can take to improve roadway safety, with or without federal grants. Whether funded mostly through a federal program like SS4A or entirely through local resources, an SAP brings together planners, engineers, elected officials and residents to create safer, more connected transportation networks. With SS4A planning, demonstration and implementation funding opportunities available through 2026, now is an ideal time for communities to formalize their safety strategies and take meaningful action toward reducing traffic fatalities and serious injuries.
