This paper was presented at the session titled `Risk management in the roads sector - safety management'. The Nova Scotia Department of Transportation and Public Works (TPW)has recently emerged from a process of restructuring and renewal with a new business approach and mandate. Recognition of a continuing need for timely and accurate information has led the Department to initiate a project for the development of a Transportation Management System, to encompass the four major business unites of the Department: Pavements, Bridges, Traffic and Safety. The objective of this project is to supply the decision-makers and support staff with modern infrastructure management systems to assist in the delivery of the core services and to provide a basis for investment decisions. This paper addresses the needs and requirements for the development of a Safety Management System (SMS) that can be used efficiently for highway safety evaluation and management in Nova Scotia. SMS is an essential tool to provide the TPW with a systematic approach that can be applied to address safety needs given constrained resources. The proposed SMS will facilitate the use of information and maximise the benefits of sharing information among transportation, law enforcement, and other public sector agencies. It will build on existing capabilities to provide safety evaluation reports to Transport Canada to be included in national statistics and to support the development of national safety regulations. The system will provide the ability to respond in time for requests on the status of the highway system, and support a continuous process that can lead to improvement in roadway network safety and develop funding proposals for safety initiative projects. The development of SMS will include ongoing improvement in information gathering, and analyses of factors affecting highway system safety. The SMS outputs will support developing and maintaining relevant policies, regulations and standards for highway safety and will provide information targeting the implementation of policies that influence public education, attitudes and behaviour. (A)
Abstract