RCOC Safe Streets for All (SS4A) Safety Action Plan

Data-driven, Community-centered Action Plan Builds on Commitment to Transportation Safety   

The Road Commission for Oakland County (RCOC) maintains the second largest county road system in Michigan. RCOC has a bold goal: to achieve zero traffic fatalities and serious injuries by 2050. In support of this vision, the agency pursued a federal Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant to develop a Safety Action Plan for its diverse network of urban, suburban, and rural roads. RCOC engaged OHM Advisors’ team of planners, GIS specialists, and transportation and traffic engineers to help pursue the grant and develop the plan.

Central to the effort was the development of a GIS-driven platform that transformed raw data into an effective decision-making tool. Covering more than 2,700 miles of roadway, the team mapped over 47,000 crashes, pinpointing high-risk intersections and roadway segments. The platform allowed the team to create equitable priority lists based on crash severity; involvement of pedestrians, cyclists, and other vulnerable users; and proximity to schools.

To analyze the expected safety and economic impact of proposed projects, the team identified anticipated Crash Modification Factors, which estimate how countermeasures could change the frequency of crashes. The team also considered Benefit-Cost ratios and impacts on efficiencies, utilities, the environment, and adjacent properties. Combined with operational modeling and a 20-year horizon analysis, these tools informed possible solutions ranging from roundabout conversions to signal optimization.

Community and stakeholder engagement was a critical component of the planning process. OHM Advisors created a custom GIS-based, mobile-friendly website that turned raw data into visuals that the public could easily access and understand.

Through an innovative combination of collaboration, geospatial technology, and advanced data analytics, RCOC, OHM Advisors, and community partners developed a comprehensive and dynamic plan. By informing efforts to fund and implement future projects, the Safety Action Plan supports RCOC’s legacy of having the safest roads in Michigan. 

Project Highlights: GIS, community engagement, transportation planning, traffic engineering