The Studies and Analysis Section conducts traffic safety engineering studies to identify and define site-specific and characteristic-specific traffic safety problems, ascertain appropriate cost-effective remedial measures, and evaluate countermeasures. The section supplies data and analysis for Candidate Safety Improvement Intersections, planning and environmental impact studies, special projects, traffic signal and operations studies, resurfacing projects, candidate Fund 76 projects, and a myriad of other safety activities. The section conducts Before and After studies, benefit/cost analyses, and cost-effectiveness analyses. It participates in developing solutions that effectively ameliorate identified safety problems.
The Safety Programs Section as the principal staff of the state highway safety office operations (the Office of the Highway Safety Coordinator, in most recent parlance). It is responsible for ensuring that Maryland has a traffic safety program that meets the State's needs and satisfies federal requirements. The section assesses traffic situations statewide, identifies and develops countermeasures for traffic safety problems that can be best ameliorated with "soft side" (i.e. non-engineering) solutions, promotes and coordinates traffic safety efforts, and evaluates results. It also administers the federal highway safety (Section 402) grant program. Its priority areas are: impaired driving, occupant protection, pedestrian safety, police traffic services, traffic records, young drivers, and older drivers.
The Maryland Committee for Safety Belt Use, Inc., an independent entity, is housed within TSD and is closely associated with the Safety Programs Section. The Committee plans, promotes, and coordinates occupant protection activities throughout the State. It, in turn, houses Maryland Safe Kids, an organization to improve the safety of Maryland children, particularly on streets and highways.
The Motor Carrier Division (MCD) is responsible for regulating motor carrier safety and vehicle size and weight. Motor Carrier Programs manages the Maryland Commercial Vehicle size, weight and safety enforcement programs and provides information services to the carriers and the public. Hauling Permits processes oversize-overweight permits for numerous companies nationwide in order for various carriers to travel safely throughout the State. Hauling Permits also provides these companies with daily and monthly financial reports of their transactions.