Course Description:

This course introduces participants to the U.S. Road Assessment Program (usRAP), a proactive, data-driven approach to roadway safety analysis and planning. Developed in partnership with Iowa State University and usRAP, the course provides an overview of the program’s history, research foundation, and practical applications for transportation agencies and professionals.

Participants will learn how to conduct a usRAP study, including the data and labor requirements, and how to interpret outputs from the ViDA software platform. The course explains how star ratings and Safer Roads Investment Plans (SRIPs) are generated and how they can assess roadway risk and guide investment decisions. Learners will gain insight into how usRAP supports informed, evidence-based planning to reduce roadway fatalities and serious injuries.

Learning Outcomes:
By the end of the course, you should be able to:

• Broadly talk about usRAP, its mission, and its team members
• Identify the different parts of the usRAP analysis process
• Pinpoint the main features of ViDA and Safer Roads Investment Plans and their benefits and value to highway agencies
• Define the Star Ratings and their relationship to roadway safety

Topics Covered:

• Overview of usRAP and its mission
• Introduction to ViDA and SRIPs
• Star Ratings and their role in roadway safety
• The usRAP analysis process, including road coding and data preparation
• Case studies and real-world applications
• Accreditation, licensing, and next steps for implementation

Intended Audience:
This course is ideal for highway engineers, transportation planners, consultants, road authorities, and decision-makers evaluating whether usRAP is a good fit for their agency. It also serves as a valuable introduction for those enrolled in the companion course, usRAP Data Coding: A Complete Course on Data Preparation. Road safety professionals, advocates, and members of the public interested in the role of safety may also benefit.

Course Procedures:
The course begins upon registration and must be completed within 30 days. It is self-paced and takes approximately 1.5 hours to complete. Learners will engage with video presentations and downloadable PDF handouts. A final assessment must be passed (80% or higher) to receive a certificate of completion. Learners have up to three attempts to pass.

Course Materials:
All materials are provided, including video lectures and handouts. The usRAP Coding Manual is referenced but not required for this course.

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For questions, contact Bruce Hamilton at brucehamilton@roadwaysafety.org

This course has open enrollment, allowing you to sign up at any time throughout the year.
The course must be completed within 30 days from the date of your initial enrollment.