Road Safety Audits

Asked by SCDOT, PCC participates in Road Safety Audits (RSA) across South Carolina.  We received RSA training from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) in 2014, and we've served as a key stakeholder representing vulnerable road users on these multi-disciplinary teams charged with reducing injuries and fatalities on SC's most dangerous road corridors.  Teams include state highway engineers, a consultant, local planners/engineers, elected officials, and road user stakeholders.  Whenever possible, we recommend qualified local advocates to join these teams.

Since 2019, SCDOT has been developing their Non-Motorized Safety Program within their Highway Safety office, in part because of the advocacy of the Palmetto Cycling Coalition and our partners within our SC Livable Communities Alliance.

This program initially used 10% of South Carolina’s Highway Safety funding they receive from the federal government each year.  South Carolina was one of the first states in the country to dedicate a portion of their highway safety funds for a dedicated Non-Motorized safety program.  SCDOT now allocates over 15%, because the federal government now requires it.  This now amounts to $13Million annually, and each year SCDOT uses that to develop more RSA's and implement their 2022 Pedestrian and Bike Safety Action Plan.  Implementing those projects takes a significant amount of funding beyond SCDOT's safety money, and additional funds are needed from MPO's, COG's, counties, and cities.  The new federal, competitive grant, Safe Streets for All, is a new federal funding source perfect for these projects.

PCC participated in the following RSAs with significant bike/ped crashes: 5 points Harden and Blossom Streets in Columbia, Assembly Street in Columbia, Wade Hampton in Greenville, White Horse Road in Greenville, Ashley Phosphate Road N. Charleston, Red Bank Road north of N. Charleston, and Hwy 378 in West Columbia.

5 points, Columbia, Road Safety Audit meeting
5 points, Columbia, Road Safety Audit meeting
Assembly St, Columbia, Road Safety Audit walk
Assembly St, Columbia, Road Safety Audit walk
Assembly Street, Columbia, Road Safety Audit walk
Assembly Street, Columbia, Road Safety Audit walk