Nebraska Department of Roads A Performance-based Transportation Agency 2003 Report Leaders in Public Safety and Service since 1895 From the Director ... Since 1895, the Nebraska Department of Roads has served the citizens of Nebraska. We've accomplished this by doing "the right things right" based on valid data collection and analysis and the use of emerging technologies. We measure our performance in an effort to continually improve the service we provide to our customers and taxpayers of Nebraska. Again this year, we had a roadway disaster. On I-80 near Big Springs, Nebraska, a semi-trailer truck slammed into the center pier of an overpass and caused the bridge to collapse onto one of the nation's busiest highways. Our crews and partners responded, ensured public safety, and quickly restored I-80 to service. We may not be able to spend it as we do a dollar bill, but the "Currency of the future is TRUST." We strive to retain your trust by making the best use of every dollar we spend. That has been and will continue to be an ever challenging task. I submit to you the Nebraska Department of Roads' 2003 Annual Report that summarizes the past year and plans for the future. I welcome your comments on how we are doing and how we can improve. John L. Craig Director Critical Transportation Issues The Executive Committee of the Transportation Research Board (TRB) has identified some critical issues in transportation that face the nation. The State of Nebraska is affected by many of these issues, is aware of them, and strives to address them. Safety - Fatalities and injuries from transportation crashes are a major health problem. Thousands more deaths could be averted each year if safety belt use continues to rise beyond 79 percent of motorists. Security - The transportation system is vulnerable to attacks by terrorists and saboteurs. Improved technologies, operations, and strategies for deterrence are needed. These same measures will also provide better response to disasters and evacuations. Environment - Worthy environmental goals and values pose serious challenges to the operation and expansion of transportation facilities to meet growing demand. Transportation agencies are key stewards of the environment and must find new ways to satisfy public demand for travel and for meeting environmental goals. Institutional Constraints - The transportation system is a patchwork of loosely connected modes encompassing 35,000 government owners of roads; ten of thousands of private carriers; and thousands of independent authorities responsible for the numerous modes. The funding mechanisms for these entities remain unconnected and uncoordinated. Aging Infrastructure - The aging transportation infrastructure must be rebuilt, but the cost exceeds revenues. Finance - The financing of publicly provided transportation infrastructure is not adequately matched to use or need. Energy - The U.S. transportation system, which depends on fossil fuels, faces an uncertain future with respect to the availability and cost of energy. Economics - The economic vitality of the nation depends on global competitiveness, productivity, and efficiency. Human Resources - Transportation organizations are having difficulty attracting and retaining the technically diverse personnel needed in the 21st century. Information Technologies - The merging of information technologies with transportation offers the greatest potential for innovation. Aging Population - An aging population poses special safety and mobility challenges. More than 19 percent of Americans will be age 65 or older by 2025. The mobility needs of older people change, and alternative travel modes are needed. Congestion - The demand for passenger travel and freight movement is straining the capacity of the U.S. transportation system, and the volume of traffic continues to rapidly grow. Critical Transportation Issues This fourth annual report illustrates how the Nebraska Department of Roads is addressing some of these issues. 3 Transportation... Our “True North” Our "True North" Our transportation system is safe, reliable, secure, seamless, intelligent, environmentally sensitive, user-friendly, and supports economic growth. Our Mission Statement To provide and maintain, in cooperation with public and private organizations, a safe, efficient, affordable, and coordinated statewide transportation system for the movement of people and goods. Our Values ➢ Safety Public Safety Employee Safety ➢ Integrity Hold the Public Trust by Evidence Based Decision Making ➢ Quality “It is a frame of mind” 4 Nebraska Transportation at a Glance Calendar Year 2002 Land Area (sq. miles) ..............................76,872.4 Public Road Miles (highways, roads, streets) City ...........................................................78,120 Population (2000 Census).....................1,711,263 County........................................................8,238 Annual Fuel Use (gallons) State...........................................................9,969 Gasoline ..........................................563,272,739 Total..........................................................96,327 Diesel ..............................................357,685,438 Gasohol ...........................................326,135,113 Accidents and Fatalities Total..............................................1,247,093,290 Total Accidents.........................................46,238 Fatal Accidents .............................................272 Registered Vehicles Fatalities........................................................307 Passenger ...........................................1,076,415 Mobile Home............................................35,718 Bridges Bus .............................................................1,951 State System .............................................3,501 Motorcycle................................................26,931 County and City System .........................12,125 Trailers ...................................................301,979 Total..........................................................15,626 Dealer.......................................................13,789 Government..............................................36,110 Airports Tax Exempt ................................................3,736 Public Use.......................................................90 Truck ......................................................521,385 Commercial Service..........................................6 Snowmobile...................................................915 Total.....................................................2,018,929 Transit Providers .........................................................71 Licensed Drivers.................................1,306,513 Counties Served .............................................73 Annual Vehicle Miles of Travel (millions)........................................18,404 Rail (2001) Miles Operated ..........................................3,480 State Tax Rates (cents per gallon) Commodities Moved (tons) ............443,103,601 Gasoline .......................................................24.6 Diesel ...........................................................24.6 Waterways Gasohol........................................................24.6 Terminals .........................................................11 Transportation at a Glance 5 Mission: Safety Mission: Safety s the steward of the state highway system, the In an effort to minimize accidents and fatalities, we ANebraska Department of Roads (NDOR) has made continue to build our highways with wider shoulders and safety of its employees, contractors and the traveling bridges, gentler curves and slopes, added recovery areas, public its highest priority. Our mission is to reduce injuries, improved barrier systems, more advanced traffic devices, deaths and economic losses from motor vehicle crashes and rumble strips to alert drivers. We have also pursued in Nebraska. and provided support for two programs, Campaign for Safety Belt Usage and Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety. In 2002, there were 18.40 billion vehicle miles of travel on Both campaigns target younger drivers who are involved all roadways in Nebraska, an increase of 10 percent in in a disproportionate number of crashes. five years. The approximate 10,000 miles of the state highway system, which is the responsibility of the Percentage of Drivers, by Age, Involved in Department of Roads, carried more than 64 percent of all Fatal Crashes and All Crashes, 2002 the traffic and 87 percent of all the commercial truck 40% traffic. Over 3.897 billion vehicle miles of travel occurred Fatal Crashes 35% on the Interstate system within Nebraska, an increase of All Crashes 20 percent in five years. 30% 25% Total Vehicle Miles of Travel 20% on All Roadways in Nebraska 15% (In Billion Miles) 10% 19.0 in Crashes % of Drivers 5% 18.40 0% 18.5 15-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65-74 75-Up 18.0 17.72 17.94 Age Group of Driver 17.5 17.22 17.57 17.0 16.79 16.5 16.19 Nebraska Highway Safety Summits 1 and 2 hicle Miles Traveled 16.0 Ve 15.46 15.81 15.5 The Nebraska Department of Roads and the Federal Highway Administration jointly hosted the second 15.0 '94 '95 '96 '97 '98 '99 '00 '01 '02 Nebraska Highway Safety Summit in March 2003. One Calendar Year purpose of the summit was to hear about the successful activities undertaken after the first summit in 2002. ■ Installation of Rumble Strips – To reduce the number of run-off-road crashes, rumble strips have been Although our traffic