ICBC's Road Improvement Program
Why should an insurance company spend money on roads?
We all benefit from safer roads, because fewer crashes mean fewer insurance claims for injuries and wrecked cars. So projects in road safety engineering are an investment for ICBC, not a cost.
In fact, all ICBC funded road improvement projects must achieve a set criteria for returns on investment. Strong investment criteria help to ensure the effectiveness of the road improvement program
In 2007, ICBC contributed approximately $8.9 million to road improvement projects, with the remainder provided by provincial and local road authorities.
Is it just stop signs and traffic signals?
No, we look at a much broader vision of road safety. The program includes:
- Preventing crashes from happening in the first place. ICBC works with communities to help them consider safety issues in the planning stage of roadways and buildings.
- Various engineering and education efforts to help communities manage traffic and roadways as safely as possible.
- Finding and testing new ways to prevent crashes. Some of the technology we've tested in the past includes anti-skid road surface treatments, high intensity signs, and larger traffic signals.
How are projects chosen?
ICBC analyzes the risk at suggested locations, working with information from --
- the public
- the Ministry of Transportation
- the police
- ICBC claims staff
- municipal staff
- regional ICBC loss prevention staff.
Road Improvements staff review engineering studies and other information to decide which projects will be funded by ICBC. Often, ICBC funds part of a project, working with one of the other community bodies responsible for it, such as the municipal or provincial government.
If you're really interested in transportation planning, transportation engineering, and traffic operations, you'll probably enjoy a visit to the Institute of Transportation Engineers web site.
Can any community take part?
Any community in B.C. can apply to ICBC for Road Improvement Program funding. If you have a suggestion for how to make a road or intersection in your community safer, contact your local town or city hall, or make your suggestion to: Attn: John Pump via our feedback.