Cape Cod MPO adopts MassDOT�s 2022 statewide safety performance targets

The Cape Cod Metropolitan Planning Organization voted to adopt the Massachusetts Department of Transportations statewide safety performance targets for calendar year 2022.

Dave Nolan of the Cape Cod Commission presented MassDOTs targets and five-year rolling trends for total fatalities, serious injuries and combined non-motorized injuries and fatalities. Nolan noted these measures are federal performance requirements and that MPOs commonly adopt the statewide targets because MassDOT maintains the statewide data and influences related spending. "It's important to note that no fatality is okay," Nolan said.

Members asked for clarification on what the MPO was voting to adopt. Rob Steen of the Town of Barnstable asked whether the vote applied to statewide or Cape Cod-specific numbers; Nolan and staff clarified the MPO was voting to support the statewide targets and that the Cape Cod figures were presented for regional context. Harold Mitchell moved to adopt the statewide MassDOT safety performance targets; the motion was seconded and passed on a roll-call vote.

Why it matters: adopting the statewide targets keeps the Cape Cod MPO aligned with the metrics MassDOT uses for safety planning and federal performance reporting. Those targets guide project prioritization and eligibility for safety-related federal funding.

The MPO did not change local project programming as part of the vote; staff said the measure is part of annual federal performance processes and will be used alongside local trend data to inform future project and funding discussions. The meeting moved on to TIP and UPWP business after the vote.