
Error message
In order to filter by the "in queue" property, you need to add the Entityqueue: Queue relationship.-
County News“Top-down leadership does work,” for transportation safety improvements. “You have the ability and influence to say ‘we have to do more.’”A road map toward zero deaths
-
County News Article
A road map toward zero deaths
Bernard Arseneau told the Transportation Steering Committee that it’s not unrealistic to imagine a world with no fatalities on public roads.
And even if that target isn’t hit, any improvement would be better than the 37,133 deaths recorded in 2018, which was an improvement over 2017.
Arseneau is the director of highways and roads at HDR, Inc., an architectural, engineering, and consulting firm. He previously worked for the Minnesota Department of Transportation.
“This whole concept of zero is something people struggle with,” he said. “We’re not going to get there tomorrow...we can have a broader collaboration of folks who can buy into this thing.”
He outlined the six areas crucial to improving road safety, but stressed that leadership was paramount.
“Top-down leadership does work,” he said. “You have the ability and influence to say ‘we have to do more.’”
He added that a technical champion, one who working in engineering or enforcement departments, was pivotal, too, giving a poltical leader some backup. Collaboration is necessary to bring all factors together. Engineering, education, emergency servcies and enforcement all complement each other.
Focusing on six areas can influence road safety:
- The road infrastructure itself
- The driver - more than 90 percent of traffic accidents are due to driver error
- The vehicle - technological improvements and safety features are added to every model year
- Enhanced emergency medical services - improved response times and making sure accident victims are taken to the appropriate medical facilities are crucial
- Safer vulnerable users- such as bicyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians
- Improved safety management
“Top-down leadership does work,” for transportation safety improvements. “You have the ability and influence to say ‘we have to do more.’”2019-03-03County News Article2023-04-11
Bernard Arseneau told the Transportation Steering Committee that it’s not unrealistic to imagine a world with no fatalities on public roads.
And even if that target isn’t hit, any improvement would be better than the 37,133 deaths recorded in 2018, which was an improvement over 2017.
Arseneau is the director of highways and roads at HDR, Inc., an architectural, engineering, and consulting firm. He previously worked for the Minnesota Department of Transportation.
“This whole concept of zero is something people struggle with,” he said. “We’re not going to get there tomorrow...we can have a broader collaboration of folks who can buy into this thing.”
He outlined the six areas crucial to improving road safety, but stressed that leadership was paramount.
“Top-down leadership does work,” he said. “You have the ability and influence to say ‘we have to do more.’”
He added that a technical champion, one who working in engineering or enforcement departments, was pivotal, too, giving a poltical leader some backup. Collaboration is necessary to bring all factors together. Engineering, education, emergency servcies and enforcement all complement each other.
Focusing on six areas can influence road safety:
- The road infrastructure itself
- The driver - more than 90 percent of traffic accidents are due to driver error
- The vehicle - technological improvements and safety features are added to every model year
- Enhanced emergency medical services - improved response times and making sure accident victims are taken to the appropriate medical facilities are crucial
- Safer vulnerable users- such as bicyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians
- Improved safety management
Hero 1

About Charlie Ban (Full Bio)
County News Digital Editor & Senior Writer
Charlie is the County News digital editor and senior writer.More from Charlie Ban
-
Webinar
NACo Information Series on Treasury’s ARPA Flexibility Guidance: Transportation Infrastructure Project
Sep. 20, 2023 , 1:00 pm – 2:00 pmOn August 10, the U.S. -
Blog
The County Countdown – August 29, 2023
Every other week, NACo’s County Countdown reviews top federal policy advocacy items with an eye towards counties and the intergovernmental partnership. Watch the video and explore NACo resources below on some of the top issues we are covering this week. -
Reports & Toolkits
NACo Analysis: Overview of New Treasury Guidance for ARPA Flexibility Legislation
On August 10, the U.S. Department of Treasury (Treasury) released an Interim Final Rule (IFR) for the bipartisan State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial Fiscal Recovery, Infrastructure, and Disaster Relief Flexibility Act -
Blog
U.S. House and Senate introduce bipartisan FAA reauthorizations
In June 2023, the U.S. House and U.S. Senate Congressional committees with jurisdiction over aviation introduced bipartisan versions of bills that would reauthorize funding for the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which is currently set to expire on September 30, 2023. -
Blog
Counties directly eligible for over $3 billion in competitive USDOT funding for community and regional planning
On July 5, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) announced the availability of over $3 billion in competitive funding through the Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods (RCN) Program.
-
Basic page
Transportation Policy Steering Committee
Responsible for all matters pertaining to federal transportation legislation, funding and regulation and its impacts on county government. This includes highway and bridge development, finance and safety, public transit development and finance, transportation planning, airport development and service, passenger and freight railroads, ports and waterways, freight movement, and research and development of new modes of transportation.pagepagepage<p>Responsible for all matters pertaining to federal transportation legislation, funding and regulation and its impacts on county government.
-
Reports & Toolkits
Implementing Infrastructure Investments at the County Level: The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (P.L. 117-58)
As intergovernmental partners, counties play a key role in ensuring the successful interpretation and implementation of the BILReports & Toolkitsdocument100710:00 amReports & Toolkits<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width:100%" summary="call-out transparent jump">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>
Contact
-
County News Digital Editor & Senior Writer(202) 942-4210
Related Resources
-
Blog
The County Countdown – August 29, 2023
Every other week, NACo’s County Countdown reviews top federal policy advocacy items with an eye towards counties and the intergovernmental partnership. Watch the video and explore NACo resources below on some of the top issues we are covering this week. -
Blog
U.S. House and Senate introduce bipartisan FAA reauthorizations
In June 2023, the U.S. House and U.S. Senate Congressional committees with jurisdiction over aviation introduced bipartisan versions of bills that would reauthorize funding for the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which is currently set to expire on September 30, 2023. -
Blog
Counties directly eligible for over $3 billion in competitive USDOT funding for community and regional planning
On July 5, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) announced the availability of over $3 billion in competitive funding through the Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods (RCN) Program.
-
Reports & Toolkits
NACo Analysis: Overview of New Treasury Guidance for ARPA Flexibility Legislation
On August 10, the U.S. Department of Treasury (Treasury) released an Interim Final Rule (IFR) for the bipartisan State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial Fiscal Recovery, Infrastructure, and Disaster Relief Flexibility Act -
Reports & Toolkits
Legislative Analysis for Counties: Federal Permitting Provisions in the Fiscal Responsibility Act
Fiscal Responsibility Act includes longstanding county priorities for federal permit streamlining. Explore NACo's full analysis for counties. -
Policy Brief
FAA Reauthorization
Advocate for the passage of a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization bill that supports airport development and continues air service to large and small communities.
More From
-
Primer for Counties: 2023 Farm Bill Reauthorization
NACo's primer on the 2023 Farm Bill reauthorization breaks down the process counties can expect this year, highlights key county priorities and explains how counties can access funds authorized through the Farm Bill.
Learn More