AASHTO Journal, 15 January 2016
Work is under way to produce a second edition of the AASHTO Highway Safety Manual, and association officials want users of the current manual to advise on how best to revise it.
Organizers have created an “HSM2” development website, where those interested in commenting can register and submit their views. It is also conducting a survey of users of the manual’s first edition that AASHTO published in 2010.
“We would appreciate receiving your input regarding your experience with the current HSM and any changes that would make it more valuable,” says a notice on the HSM2 site.
It explains that in 2015 the National Cooperative Highway Research Program initiated a project for a major update of the manual, “to incorporate new research findings into the HSM and improve its overall usability, accessibility and technical content.”
That second edition is expected to be completed and submitted to AASHTO in 2019. “The input we gather through the survey will be used by the NCHRP panel to help develop the HSM, 2nd Edition, the notice continues.
It asks readers to take 10-15 minutes to complete the survey.
But that is just the first step in user engagement under the second edition project. It also asks active users of the manual to submit their suggestions for any specific revisions by Feb. 15, and then to keep following the site to stay informed.
The effort is trying to reach all users of the manual, including but not limited to officials within state departments of transportation.
“An important element of this project is the involvement of the community of current HSM users, and their assistance in identifying how best to revise the current HSM,” the notice says.
“This website was created to provide a single location for that input, as well as a place to share information relevant to the project. Initially, the focus of this site will be the collection of user feedback; however, in the future it will also provide a portal for the collaborative review process of the changes to the manual by a number of key stakeholder groups.”