In 2007, TRB Committee AFB20 developed a Strategic Plan (SP) that identified and outlined different goals and strategies to make incremental improvements to solve current roadside safety problems. The 2007 SP was developed to (1) help focus committee efforts pertaining to roadside safety design, (2) provide guidance to its future activities, (3) define its role within TRB as well as with other standing committees, and (4) establish goals and measures for evaluating any progress toward achieving the committee’s vision. U.S. and international safety experts on the committee understood that while advances in roadside safety design could continue to occur as a result of the AFB20 meetings and workshops, it was agreed that significant improvements in roadside safety (i.e., reductions in road fatalities and injuries) would be best achieved by: (1) taking active measures to promote roadside safety design around the world through increased dissemination of information; (2) peer exchange of best practices, proven technologies, and new methods; and (3) improved collaboration and participation with the international roadside safety community. From 2009 to 2013, roadside safety researchers and experts explored the development of an ongoing International Roadside Safety Conference (IRSC) with the preparation of a White Paper, following by continued planning discussions. As a result, it was determined that the first IRSC event would be held within the U.S., while later events could be held at various locations around the world and alternate between U.S. and International locations on a rotating basis. It was determined that an ongoing International Roadside Safety Conference (IRSC) would help to reduce U.S. and global deaths and injuries associated with run-off-road crashes.

Every year, over 17,000 people are killed in roadway departure crashes in the U.S. The primary goal of this conference and peer exchange on Roadside Safety Design is to effect changes that will reduce the frequency and severity of roadside crashes. The ultimate measure of effectiveness is a reduction in the number of fatalities and injuries resulting from run-off-road crashes. To help meet this goal, roadside safety researchers, experts, and U.S./international partners have deemed it highly beneficial to develop and implement a Roadside Safety Conference that would occur every 3 to 5 years. The primary objective for the First International Roadside Safety Conference (IRSC) and Peer Exchange would be to reduce deaths and serious injuries associated with run-off-road crashes. The IRSC would contribute to this objective by: (1) peer exchange and improved dissemination of information within the international roadside safety community; (2) increased collaboration with international roadside safety experts, researchers, government agencies, and engineering consultants; and (3) a more rapid implementation of new technologies, best practices, and products from around the world. Key focus areas may include: • Advances in rigid and flexible barrier design • Geometric features – i.e., slopes, ditches, drainage culverts, curbs, pavement edges • Work-zone and temporary traffic control safety • Implementation guidelines for safety treatments • In-service performance evaluations • Barrier compatibility for vehicles and motorcycles • Vulnerable user safety – pedestrians, bicyclists, & motorcyclists • Cost-effective safety improvements for low-volume roads • Barrier selection criteria • Narrow hazards - trees, luminaires, utility poles, signs, and traffic signals • New energy-absorbing technologies • Aesthetic safety treatments and practices • Median design and crash prevention • Improved visibility and delineation • Maintenance of existing roadside safety infrastructure • Computer simulation, dynamic component testing, and full-scale crash testing • Road/roadside safety audits or management systems • “Safe System Approach” • Before/after crash data studies • Concepts, products, and methods designed to reduce roadway departure crashes • Strategic Highway Safety Plans and • Rollover crashes.

State DOT Pooled Fund participants, researchers, FHWA, and roadside safety experts will appoint a committee consisting of U.S. and International representatives to guide the planning of a 2 or 3 day International Roadside Safety Conference (IRSC) and Peer Exchange. The conference will provide a forum to (1) explore current problems and practices used within roadside safety, both in the United States and abroad, (2) provide a peer exchange to discuss and disseminate research related to a full range of issues, including administration, planning, design, construction, operations, and maintenance, and (3) provide exhibition space for manufacturers and private industry to showcase new technologies and/or conduct live demonstrations. Both papers and/or presentations will be accepted. If possible, papers may be published in advance of the conference. However, all presentations and papers will be made available to participants as well as to others following the event. Specific activities would include: • A kick-off meeting of the conference committee and follow-on meetings (in-person and/or web-based) • Development of a conference theme and key areas of interest • Issuance of a Call for Presentations and/or Papers • Production of a conference announcement and ongoing communications/marketing to advertise event • Creation of a conference web page with general event and registration information • Archive of presentations on a conference website • Publication of papers in conference proceedings • Development of both preliminary and final conference agendas with posting on conference web page • Development of a prospectus to attract and register exhibitors to conference and manage all logistics • Selection of U.S. location and hotel/conference center to accommodate 200 to 300 participants Optional activities may include: • Plan for local or regional field trips for conference delegates to discuss and review current or proven innovative road/roadside safety practices and policies ready for implementation around the globe

The first conference and peer exchange event is proposed for the summer of 2016. Deliverables will include quarterly reports, a final report, electronic access to all presentations, and final proceedings of the conference presentations/papers. Conference Planning Committee: A Conference Planning Committee will be formed by State DOT Pooled Fund sponsors, selected roadside safety experts and researchers, government agencies, such as FHWA, and other potential partners, such as TRB. The Conference Planning Committee shall include U.S. and International members from: University research/academia; federal, state, and local government agencies; administrators; construction/manufacturing industry; and consultant engineers. The planning committee will include one member from each of the first 6 states which post commitments to the IRSC and peer exchange project. In addition, each Pooled Fund partner state will be a member of the Pooled Fund Technical Advisory Committee (TAC). As such, TAC members will receive quarterly reports. All Pooled Fund partner states will receive two, four, or six complimentary conference registration fee waivers for commitments of $5,000, $7,500, or $10,000, respectively. State DOT funding in amounts less than $5,000 would also be accepted, although a complimentary registration fee waiver would not be provided. Project funding could also come from the use of SP&R funds, and possibly HSIP funds, and be distributed over a one or two year period. Sponsorship from other government agencies and private organizations would also be accepted. Project Implementation (Planning, Marketing, Publications, etc.): The Pooled Fund and CPC will work with a designated the TRB Responsible Staff Officer, Stephen F. Maher, Senior Program Officer/Engineer of Design, Technical Activities Division. Mr. Maher has had full responsibility for managing two TRB International Bridge Engineering Conferences (2005 and 2010), with the assistance of TRB’s in-house meeting