This module introduces fundamental road safety concepts and lays the foundation for Modules 2 through 5. It is intended for learners who are actively involved in road safety, or who would like to become involved. It has no prerequisite learning.

There are six submodules, each of which includes a recorded lecture, a short quiz, and a handout with the lecture slides (PDF format). In addition, the course handout summarizes each submodule’s learning objectives, additional reading, and suggested exercises.

This course will run on desktop or laptop computers (Windows 7 or later, Mac OS X 10.9 or later) and on tablets or mobile phones (Android OS 5 or later, iOS 11 or later).

Learners will have access to the course for twelve months from the date of payment.

Learning objectives

After completing the following submodules, learners will be able to:

• Understand the concept of road safety
• Define evidence-based approach to road safety, and distinguish between nominal and substantive safety
• Describe motor vehicle collisions and collision severity
• Explain the differences between correlation and causation in traffic safety
• Understand approaches to balancing safety and other transportation goals

Submodule 1.2 – Safety Data (1 hour 10 minutes)

• Identify crucial safety data elements, sources of data, data limitations and data quality
• Understand the collision recording process in Canada, and the content of a typical vehicle collision report
• Understand basic concepts of collisions and elements related to collision severity
• Estimate annual average daily traffic

Submodule 1.3 – History of Road Safety in North America (31 minutes)

• Identify key points in the history of road safety in Canada and the United States, including key legislation
• Explain how history has shaped agency formation and the state of traffic safety

Submodule 1.4 – Road User Characteristics (34 minutes)

• Identify different groups of road users, and some challenges unique to each group
• Explain prevailing driving patterns and safety issues associated with high-risk road users

Submodule 1.5 – Multidisciplinary Safety Approaches (51 minutes)

• Recognize the roles and responsibilities of various road safety partners to improve road safety
• Understand the value of training and education in helping road safety professionals to promote a safety culture
• Explain the importance of public education and enforcement in enhancing road safety
• Describe the philosophy, approach and history of prevailing safety management approaches

Submodule 1.6 – Advances in Technology and Impact on Road Safety (25 minutes)

• Predict the safety outcomes of increasing driver dependency on technology
• Understand the effects of advanced technologies on road design
• Understand the impacts of travel trends and policies on road safety

Instructor

Brian Malone, P.Eng., PTOE, RSP1 – CIMA+

Brian has over 30 years of civil and transportation engineering experience with a focus on traffic safety studies, audits and reports, as well as policy development and operations research. He helped develop TAC’s Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Canada, Sixth Edition, the TAC/CITE Canadian Guide to Traffic Calming, several books of the Ontario Traffic Manual, and FHWA’s Signalized Intersection Guide. He often provides input on strategic, controversial or context-sensitive projects, and has led over 300 legal reviews with CIMA+. Brian has also created and presented numerous training courses related to road safety for FHWA, ITE, Ontario Good Roads Association, and the Ontario Traffic Council.