2013 Session: 333

• Sign Retroreflectivity Maintenance Program for Tribal Communities
  Abstract: In response to a 1993 Congressional directive, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) added minimum sign retroreflectivity criteria to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). In addition, several methods were listed that agencies can implement to maintain traffic signs at or above the minimum retroreflectivity requirements. The key element in the standards is the establishment of a method to maintain sign retroreflectivity at or above the minimums. FHWA along with BIA conducted two-day pilot programs for three tribal nations to assist them in choosing an appropriate retroreflectivity maintenance method to be compliant with the MUTCD requirements. Day one of each program was reserved for review of the new minimum sign retroreflectivity standard, available/accepted methods for maintaining sign retroreflectivity and sign sheeting identification using the FHWA documents, training on using a hand-held retroreflectometer and field visit. The second day included discussions and development of a draft retroreflectivity maintenance method policy for each tribe. The objective of this paper is to provide highlights from these three sign retroreflectivity maintenance program pilots. The pilots were conducted at the Confederated Tribe of The Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR), the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate of The Lake Traverse Reservation (SWO) and the Seminole Tribe of Florida (STF). Experiences from these pilots provide a reference to tribes in similar situation on what is being done elsewhere.
  Authors: Iragavarapu, Vichika; Carlson, Paul J.; Schertz, Greg
  Authors: Iragavarapu, Vichika; Carlson, Paul J.; Schertz, Greg
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Policy; Society
  Session: 333
  Paper Number: 13-1867
• Indian Reservation Safety Improvement Program: Methodology and Case Study
  Abstract: The need to reduce fatal and injury crashes on Tribal lands has been recognized for years. The U.S. has realized a decline in fatal crashes over the past several years but fatal crashes continue to increase on Tribal lands. Little progress has been made in improving safety on Tribal lands. Limited resources and lack of coordination across jurisdictions has made it difficult for Native American communities to address their roadway safety concerns. The rural nature of many of their roadways and lack of crash data has also made it difficult for Tribes to implement an effective safety improvement program. A methodology that is able to address these challenges is presented in this paper to assist Tribes in reducing fatal and injury crashes. The proposed methodology has been implemented successfully in the Wind River Indian Reservation. Key to the success of such a process is collaboration among safety stakeholders, namely the state departments of transportation, Tribal leadership, Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP), Tribal Technical Assistance Program (TTAP), Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), and local and Tribal law enforcement.
  Authors: Shinstine, Debbie; Ksaibati, Khaled
  Authors: Shinstine, Debbie; Ksaibati, Khaled
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Policy; Society
  Session: 333
  Paper Number: 13-1697
  Practice-Ready: Yes
• Wind River Indian Reservation Strategic Safety Management Plan
  Abstract: Fatal and injury crashes have been documented for years to be higher among Native Americans than any other groups across the United States. Studies have been performed to determine the trends and to identify ways to assist Tribes to improve their traffic safety. Tribal transportation stakeholders have recognized the many factors that have contributed to this problem including lack of resources, lack of crash data and crash data accuracy. Their sovereignty presents a challenge with working across jurisdictional lines with state and local agencies.Strategic highway safety plans are required for states and provide an opportunity for Tribes as well to accomplish their goals to reduce fatal and serious injury crashes. Communication and collaboration across jurisdictional lines is vital to the success of a strategic highway safety plan for Tribal governments. The Wind River Indian Reservation (WRIR) was selected for a pilot (one of three) Tribal Transportation Safety Management Plan (TSMP), a program instituted by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to assist tribes in developing their own strategic plan.The WRIR has had great success in establishing cooperation among stakeholders and with the support of committed Tribal leadership, is working toward the goal of reducing fatal and serious injury crashes. Key to the success of the TSMP is collaboration among safety stakeholders, namely the state departments of transportation, Tribal leadership, Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP), Tribal Technical Assistance Program (TTAP), Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), and local and Tribal law enforcement, and Indian Health Services (IHS) and others.
  Authors: Shinstine, Debbie; Ksaibati, Khaled; Gross, Frank; Genzlinger, Craig
  Authors: Shinstine, Debbie; Ksaibati, Khaled; Gross, Frank; Genzlinger, Craig
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Policy; Society
  Session: 333
  Paper Number: 13-3289
  Practice-Ready: Yes
• Indian Reservation Safety Improvement Program: Methodology and Case Study
  Authors: Shinstine, Debbie
  Authors: Shinstine, Debbie
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Presentation
  Subject: Policy; Society
  Session: 333
  Paper Number: 13-1697
• Sign Retroreflectivity Maintenance Program for Tribal Communities
  Authors: Iragavarapu, Vichika
  Authors: Iragavarapu, Vichika
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Presentation
  Subject: Policy; Society
  Session: 333
  Paper Number: 13-1867
• Wind River Indian Reservation Strategic Safety Management Plan
  Authors: Shinstine, Debbie
  Authors: Shinstine, Debbie
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Presentation
  Subject: Policy; Society
  Session: 333
  Paper Number: 13-3289
• Presiding Officer
  Authors: Myers, Raquelle
  Authors: Myers, Raquelle
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Presentation
  Subject: Policy; Society
  Session: 333
  Paper Number: Z13-333