On Jan. 7, the New York State Thruway Authority announced the launch of its Comprehensive Safety Action Plan, a system‑wide initiative to improve roadway and employee safety, strengthen emergency response and reduce serious injuries and fatalities across the 570-mile Thruway system.

Supported by federal grant funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets and Roads for All program, the initiative will produce a first-of-its-kind state‑wide safety action plan covering all four of the Thruway Maintenance Divisions.

The Comprehensive Safety Action Plan will employ a data‑driven, Safe System Approach to examine crash patterns, identify high-risk locations, evaluate safety protocols and design practices, and recommend strategies that protect travelers, employees, commercial drivers and emergency responders alike, according to a release from the authority.

The Safe System Approach builds multiple layers of protection through safer roads, people, vehicles, speeds and post-crash care to account for human error, reduce the severity of crashes and ultimately eliminate roadway deaths and serious injuries.

“The New York State Thruway has long been recognized as one of the safest major highway systems in the nation and maintaining that standard requires proactive planning and continuous innovation,” Thruway Authority Executive Director Frank G. Hoare said in the release.

The Thruway Authority invites the driving public and stakeholders to contribute feedback and help shape the Comprehensive Safety Action Plan. Engagement will include:

— An interactive map and comment tool on the project website, where travelers and residents can flag safety concerns or near‑miss locations;

— Pop‑up outreach events at Thruway Service Areas, Welcome Centers and park‑and‑ride lots across all divisions;

— Targeted stakeholder outreach, including local governments, law enforcement agencies, emergency responders, trucking and freight organizations, community groups and commercial businesses;

— Regional Safety Summits that will bring together safety partners to review data, discuss concerns and prioritize strategies

Detailed information on the Comprehensive Safety Action Plan, including opportunities for comment or involvement, background resources, outreach calendar and project updates, is now available at the project website: thruwaysafety.org.