Implementing the Safe System Approach for Public Agencies

ITE to Develop New Recommended Practice on Implementing the Safe System Approach for Public Agencies

As part of ITE’s commitment to the belief that Zero is Achievable, ITE is initiating the development of a new Recommended Practice (RP) called Implementing the Safe System Approach for Public Agencies, which focuses on helping public agencies translate Safe System principles into practical, sustained implementation. This effort responds to growing practitioner demand for clearer guidance on how to integrate safety into everyday planning, design, operations, policy, investment, and decision-making processes.

About the Recommended Practice

Public agencies are increasingly adopting the Safe System approach to eliminate roadway fatalities and serious injuries. Existing Safe System approach resources are often high-level and do not provide clear direction for integrating safety into everyday agency processes.

This new RP will provide a structured, practical framework to support Safe System implementation within public agencies. It will focus on how agencies can effectively use available tools, data, partnerships, and funding opportunities to implement the Safe System approach in practice, including:

Practical guidance for integrating Safe System principles into agency planning, design, operations, policy, and investment decisions
Strategies for building organizational support to overcome institutional and professional barriers
Guidance on developing and implementing Vision Zero plans, Comprehensive Safety Action Plans, and related safety culture initiatives
Approaches for using qualitative and quantitative data to support proactive, systemic safety planning and evaluation
Methods for managing kinetic energy risk through coordinated demand management, speed management, and conflict management strategies
Guidance on connecting transportation and land use decisions as core safety strategies, including transit, access management, and development patterns
Context-sensitive Safe System interventions for rural and urban environments, with attention to pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists, and other road users
Case studies and examples to help agencies identify funding opportunities, prioritize investments, and sustain Safe System efforts over time

Call for Volunteers – Recommended Practice Committee, Authors, and Reviewers

ITE is seeking volunteers with experience in the Safe System Approach to support the development of a new Recommended Practice on Implementing the Safe System Approach for Public Agencies

A formal Recommended Practice (RP) Committee will oversee and lead the development and approval of the document. RP Committee members will collaborate to review and refine the guidance through ITE’s consensus-based development process. ITE strives to maintain balanced representation across all RP committees to ensure diverse perspectives and expertise.
Participation on the RP Committee is open to ITE members and non-members representing:

Public agencies
Transit agencies
Consulting firms
Academia
Other organizations with a material interest in implementing the Safe System Approach

ITE is also seeking a broader group of volunteers to support the effort as subject matter experts, contributing authors, or external reviewers. These volunteers will help draft sections of the document or provide review and comment on draft materials, but they will not serve as part of the formal RP Committee.

If you are interested in any of these roles (RP Committee member, Author, or Reviewer), please complete the RP Interest Form by May 26^th, 2026. Applicants will be asked to submit a one-page résumé, a brief statement of interest, a summary of relevant experience, and contact information.

Questions regarding this recommended practice may be directed to Alyssa Thomas at athomas@ite.org.