The landscape of roadway design is undergoing a fundamental shift. In the ITE Journal February 2026, our Michael Griffith, RSP2I, Senior Advisor at Transoft Solutions, shares insights from his 33-year tenure at the USDOT to explore the evolution of the Safe System Approach.
As agencies move away from traditional models that prioritize vehicle throughput, Michael discusses how safety is becoming the primary objective in transportation design. He explores the fundamental shift from prioritizing vehicle throughput to embracing the Safe System Approach. As roadway safety becomes the primary objective for agencies across the U.S., the right tools and technology are no longer optional—they are essential for turning policy vision into reality.
The Evolution of Safety-Driven Performance Design: From Policy Vision to Reality
