Safety on Tribal Lands

rural road

The rate of death and significant injury from motor vehicle crashes is much higher for American Indians than for any other population in the United States. Tribal transportation leaders and federal agencies agree that this is an area of elevated concern and priority. Unfortunately, there is very little research to suggest how to make the most strategic policies and investments to improve safety.

The Roadway Safety Institute is collaborating with tribal communities to conduct several projects that address these challenges.

Tribal Lands Safety Research

Collaborating with American Indian Communities to Re-Interpret and Strategize about Transportation Safety Risks in Tribal Lands
This study aims to get a better picture of the nature of transportation safety concerns in tribal governance areas, analyze the sources of safety risks and problems, identify successful programs and policies, and generate recommendations about policies and investments. Tribal government leaders, transportation coordinators, and other key community members can offer extremely valuable insights in this analysis. Therefore, this study centers around qualitative data collection and a problem-solving approach in collaboration with tribal governments. Our goal is to provide a more nuanced, informative, and fair picture of the problem and strategies to improve safety.

For more information:

Improving Emergency Medical Service Response to Motor Vehicle Crashes in American Indian Reservations
Kathryn Quick, University of Minnesota

GIS Data Acquisition and Spatial Analysis of Factors Affecting Traffic Crashes on Tribal Lands
This study is investigating the potential for new advances in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to enhance the collection, availability, and use of information related to transportation safety. Conducted in partnership with Esri, the study includes a preliminary assessment of geo-related traffic safety information. Through collaborative analysis with tribal communities, the study will also develop prototypes for potential use that will be evaluated through a series of stakeholder assessments.

For more information:

students

Education Activities for Tribal Youth
Several Institute initiatives are bringing our research projects and resources to underrepresented K-12 students—including those in tribal communities—to promote safety, education, and STEM careers.

The University of Minnesota Extension has a longstanding partnership with the White Earth Nation to operate a summer Academy of Math and Science for reservation youth in grades 4–8. The Institute is currently in discussion with the camp organizers to develop a safety curriculum for the next camp session in June 2015. Students will explore transportation safety and its connection to their tribe’s history and culture. The Institute is also exploring opportunities to connect female American Indian youth to mentors through a partnership with WTS and its Transportation YOU program. Though the initial efforts are based in Minnesota, we plan to expand to the rest of Region 5 in our second year.

In addition, the Institute is developing new curriculum packages that can be easily shared with tribal and other communities through Transportation YOU programs, summer camps, STEM festivals, and other events that reach students of diverse backgrounds.

For more information: