About Safety IDEA
The Safety IDEA program is sponsored by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the Federal Railroad Administration. The U.S. Department of Transportation has set aggressive goals for reducing fatalities and injuries. To this end, the Safety IDEA program provides funding for projects that promote innovative approaches to improving intercity bus and truck safety or railroad safety. The program encompasses vehicle improvements, operator performance, and alertness improvements; operational practices; and hazard reduction, among other interest areas. The program is guided and advised by a committee of experts who, volunteering their time and service, review proposals once a year and select those that make the greatest contribution to program objectives. All Safety IDEA projects are described in the Safety IDEA Annual Progress Report. Suggested research focus areas, proposal evaluation criteria, and the forms for submitting proposals are provided in the IDEA Program Announcement, which is published in January of each year.
The Safety IDEA Committee uses this evaluation form when reviewing proposals.