Montana's Comprehensive Highway Safety Plan (CHSP) is a federally mandated Strategic Highway Safety Plan that meets the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) requirements. The plan was developed in response to American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials’ (AASHTO) 2005 initiative to reduce roadway fatalities and Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) requirements. The CHSP has maintained a five-year update cycle and establishes the target setting methodology for the national performance measures in compliance with the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act.

The CHSP planning process establishes a comprehensive, multiagency framework that extends beyond MDT to address safety for all road users on all Montana roads. Subject matter experts representing the safety disciplines of around 4Es of Transportation Safety - Education, Enforcement, Emergency Medical Services and Response, and Engineering - make up the Advisory Committee (AC). This group plays a vital role in both development and implementation. The development process involves analyzing safety data, identifying emphasis areas, and determining strategic approaches to address transportation safety issues in areas of greatest need. The 2025 CHSP Update will follow the FHWA approved CHSP process which includes federal requirements while allowing flexibility in specific approaches for Montana.