The use of dynamic programming in optimally allocating funds for highway safety improvements

An integrated system approach to traffic accident countermeasure selection is presented. This approach draws primarily upon the resources of a computerized accident records system for identifying high accident locations. Once high accident locations are identified by type, local investigations of these locations are conducted producing standardized cost and benefit data. These data are processed through a dynamic programming algorithm to produce optimal policies for implementation. Since this system has been in operation in two states in the United States for about five years, it should be of special interest to practitioners.