The New Mexico Vulnerable Road User Safety Assessment Report has been finalized and approved by the Cabinet Secretary.
Apply to be part of one of the Strategic Highway Safety Plan Emphasis Area Interagency Working Groups.
New Mexico DOT
Vulnerable Road User Safety Assessment and Strategic Highway Safety Plan
About the project
Vulnerable Road User Safety Assessment and Strategic Highway Safety Plan
The Infrastructure and Jobs Act (Bipartisan Infrastructure Law) signed into law on November 15, 2021 created a new requirement under the Highway Safety Improvement Program for states to develop a Vulnerable Road Users (VRU) Safety Assessment. The VRU Assessment must identify areas high risk areas in New Mexico for vulnerable road users.
As defined in federal guidance, a VRU is a non-motorist roadway transportation system user. This includes bicyclists, pedestrians, or other means of transportation (skateboards, roller skates, etc.), and persons using mobility assistance devices. Additionally, highway workers in active work zones or maintenance areas are included, however motorcyclists are excluded.
The VRU Assessment complements NMDOT’s ongoing efforts to improve pedestrian safety state-wide and works in tandem with the Pedestrian Safety Action Plan, the New Mexico Prioritized Statewide Bicycle Network Plan, the Highway Safety Plan and Metropolitan Planning Organization and local safety plans.
The first phase of the project is to develop the VRU Assessment and submit the assessment to the Federal Highway Administration by November 15, 2023. In the second phase of the project, working in conjunction with the VRU Assessment, our project team will be developing a new Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP). The SHSP is a required element of the state’s Highway Safety Improvement Program. The VRU Assessment is required to be incorporated into the state’s SHSP so the new SHSP will be built around the VRU Assessment. SHSP is a comprehensive document for coordinating goals between many different statewide planning documents and agencies. To view the most recent 2021 New Mexico SHSP click this link.
Topics that will be integrated into our project plans include:
Topics that will be integrated into our project plans include
Click on the circles to learn more

Fatal Crash Data Analysis
Overall Trends in NM

Drivers/ Passengers

Information and links on Drivers/ Passengers will be shared soon.
Prioritizing Investments
Click on the link below for more information on Prioritizing Investments Countermeasures
and CMF Clearinghouse
The Five E’s of Roadway Safety

Click on the link below for more information on Enforcement, Education, Emergency Response, Engineering
Learn More
Click on the link below for more information on Equity
Learn More
Safe System Approach

Click on the link below for more Information on Safe System Approach
National Roadways Safety Policy

Click on the link below for more Information on the National Roadways Safety Policy
We want to hear from you!
Your feedback is a valuable part of the New Mexico VRU Assessment and SHSP process. Throughout the project, this site will provide opportunities to share your ideas about the DOT’s efforts and the direction of our progress. Please check back for document updates, surveys, and a chance to use the interactive map to share your ideas for New Mexico DOT to improve the safety of our roadways for all users.
Project Timeline
Project kick-off with Statewide Safety Summit – Complete
Stakeholder engagement with Interagency Working Groups – In Progress
Define Emphasis Areas – In Progress
Data Analysis and Draft SHSP Text Development – In Progress
Consultation with Executive Steering Committee – Not Started
Countermeasure, Policy, and Strategy Identification – Not Started
Finalize SHSP – Not Started
Implementation – Continuous
Who is Listening to Your Input?
Jason Coffey
Technical Unit Supervisor, Multimodal Planning and Programs Bureau, New Mexico Department of Transportation
Our Partners




Project Files
Interagency Working Group
Meeting #1 PowerPoint and Menti Results
New Mexico DOT SHSP Interagency Working Groups (IAWG)
January 23, 2025
NMDOT VRU Safety
Assessment Meeting #1
NMDOT VRU Safety Assessment Meeting
August 9th, 2023
NMDOT VRU Safety Assessment Meeting Chat Log
August 9th, 2023
Assessment Meeting #2
NMDOT VRU Safety Assessment Meeting
August 30th, 2023
NMDOT VRU Safety Assessment Meeting 2 Recording
August 30th, 2023
NMDOT VRU Safety Assessment Meeting 2 Chat Log
August 30th, 2023
Assessment Meeting #3
NMDOT VRU Safety Assessment Meeting Doña-Ana County
September 11th, 2023
NMDOT VRU Safety Assessment Meeting 3 Recording Doña-Ana County
September 11th, 2023
NMDOT VRU Safety Assessment Meeting 3 Chat Log Doña-Ana County
September 11th, 2023
Assessment Meeting #4
NMDOT VRU Safety Assessment Meeting Stakeholder Workshop
October 26th, 2023
NMDOT VRU Safety Assessment Meeting 4 Recording Stakeholder Workshop
October 26th, 2023
NMDOT VRU Safety Assessment Meeting 4 Chat Log Stakeholder Workshop
October 26th, 2023