Accelerate Delivery of Road Safety Projects
WEBINAR: February 26, 2026, 10:00AM - 12:00PM PT
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is launching a new Rural Road Safety Webinar Series to address a critical road safety challenge: in 2023, 41% of roadway fatalities occurred in rural areas, despite only 20% of the population living in rural America.
This new web series features innovative and effective practices that save lives on rural roads. The first two sessions are. already scheduled and open for registration:
- Thursday February 26, 2026, from 10:00am to 12:00 pm PT: Accelerate Delivery of Road Safety Projects in Rural Areas: Successful Implementation of Modular Designs and Materials
- State DOTs and local agencies will present on successful projects that use modular designs and materials to advance road safety and highlight policies supporting accelerated delivery of road safety projects. Presentations will focus on installing a modular roundabout on a State rural road, implementing modular pedestrian crossings on local roadways, and delivering a program to implement modular safety projects as part of maintenance.
- REGISTRATION
- Thursday May 21, 2026 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm PT: Innovative Funding Processes for Rural Road Safety
- State, regional and local transportation agencies will present on innovative funding programs, alternative contracting methods, and flexibilities to distribute resources effectively and efficiently across State, Tribal, and local-owned rural roads to maximize safety impact. Strategies will emphasize effective investments and program eligibilities, non-traditional funding sources, and systemic data-driven investments.
- REGISTRATION
For agencies working to reduce rural roadway fatalities, this webinar series provides valuable insights into accelerating safety improvements and securing the funding needed to implement life-saving interventions.
The Rural Road Safety Challenge
Rural roads present a Disproportionate Safety Challenge across America. While only 20 percent of the U.S. population lives in rural areas and 31 percent of vehicle miles are traveled on rural roads, these areas account for 41 percent of all traffic fatalities.
The higher fatality rate in rural areas stems from multiple factors: higher travel speeds, longer emergency response times, greater distances to trauma centers, roadway departure crashes, and limited lighting on rural roadways. Nearly two-thirds of rural fatalities involve vehicles leaving the traveled way, and the majority of dark-condition crashes occur on unlighted roads.
Understanding Rural Road Crash Characteristics
Rural roadways present Unique Safety Challenges compared to urban areas. Key factors contributing to higher rural fatality rates include:
- Higher speeds: 72% of rural fatal crashes occur on roads with 55+ mph speed limits
- Lighting conditions: 89% of rural dark-condition fatalities occur on unlighted roads
- Time of day: 54% of rural fatalities occur during daytime hours
