This article discusses the concept of safety conscious planning (SCP) and the efforts underway to explain and implement the SCP process. The Transportation Equity Act requires that every statewide and metropolitan planning process should provide for consideration of projects and strategies that will increase the safety and security of the transportation system. SCP implies a proactive approach to the prevention of accidents and unsafe transportation conditions by establishing inherently safe transportation networks. The Transportation Research Board has formed a SCP Working Group to develop educational materials for transportation stakeholders, build an arsenal of SCP tools and publicize SCP to as many elected officials and nontraditional partners as possible. Although SCP protocols are still being developed, it is clear that there must be close collaboration between a wide-reaching group of stakeholders in order to anticipate and prevent road accidents and unsafe conditions before they occur. In order to be effective, SCP must integrate planning and engineering with emergency management, enforcement and education activities.
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