Safety Circuit Rider Program

The Kentucky Transportation Center (KTC) Technology Transfer Program was chosen to administer a pilot Safety Circuit Rider Program funded by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Office of Highway Safety in 2005. The objective of the program was to provide technical assistance to local agencies for improving the safety of rural, low-volume roads through the implementation of low-cost infrastructure improvements. The Safety Circuit Rider Program specifically targeted methods to reduce roadway departure crashes, reduce crashes at intersections, and improve pedestrian safety. Three other states also received grants to begin similar programs through their Local Technical Assistance Programs (LTAPs). Kentucky’s Program gained national recognition for excellence, and the FHWA continued funding for an additional year. After the FHWA funding ended, funding was provided by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. In 2011, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, with encouragement from the Federal Highway Administration and local governments, funded the Safety Circuit Rider Program for an additional two years. Kentucky continues to receive great recognition for the Safety Circuit Rider Program. The Program has been featured in local newspapers, the Kentucky Association of Counties newsletter, and the FHWA Safety Compass. Presentations have been made at national and state conferences. An example from the Safety Circuit Rider Program was Garrard County’s crash reductions. Although the best comparison of the numbers will be five years from made improvements, crashes reviewed from August 2011 to August 2012 on Fork Church Road had a 47% reduction in crashes from the average per year from 2005-2009. Harmons Lick Road was also reviewed, and no crashes had occurred from August 2011 to August 2012. An estimate of $4500 was used for improvements