Crash Data Collection and Uses

1. Crash Data Collection and Uses Describe the process by which crash data are collected and used in road safety management.

2. Major Topics • Importance of Accurate Data • Data Collection Process • Data Improvement Strategies • Use of Safety Data in Road Safety Management

3. Crash Data Accuracy • Case Study • 60% of rural crashes coded to the zero milepost • 81% of cross roads were missing • 1/3 of all crashes missing location data • Implications • HSIP • HSP • CVSP • SHSP

4. The “Torturous Path” of Crash Data Collection • Crash Occurs • Crash Report Completed • Data Recorded in Database • Crash Data Transferred to State Database • Data Analyzed and Disseminated

5. Data Deficiencies • Integration • Accessibility Timeliness Accuracy Completeness Uniformity (or consistency)

6. Overcoming Data Deficiencies • Training and Education • Law enforcement officers • Court officials and adjudicators • Crash Report System Administrators • Update or Review Crash Report Form

7. Overcoming Deficiencies (cont.) • Technology (electronic collection, linkage, location identification, etc.) • Policies and Procedures • Collaboration (i.e., TRCC)

8. Electronic Reporting Systems • Traffic and Criminal Software (TraCS) • Crossroads Traffic Collision Database • Mobile Capture and Reporting System (MCRS)

9. §408 Grant Requirements • First year grant • TRCC • Multi-year strategic plan • Subsequent year grant • Traffic records assessment • TRCC • Multi-year plan • Grant funding specifications • Measurable progress

10. NHTSA/State Partnership • Traffic Records Program Needs Assessment • Compare a state traffic safety program with current guidelines • Report on the strengths and weaknesses of core systems  • Traffic Safety Information System Strategic Plan • Strategic action plan to address system deficiencies – “living document” • Encourage statewide integration of systems and resources

11. Crash Vehicle MMUCC Data Elements Person Roadway • Collected - Collected at the scene and recorded onto crash report • Derived - Generated from computerized crash data • Linked – Linked to injury, driver history, vehicle registration, roadway inventory, or other data files.

12. Data Uses for Road Safety Management Use of Data Political Agendas Engineering Judgment Conventional Wisdom 11

13. The Benefits of Using Data Crash Trends High Crash Locations High Risk Groups Contributing Factors Program Evaluation 12

14. High Crash Locations Number of Crashes Severity of Crashes Exposure, e.g., Volume of Traffic Contributing Factors 13

15. High Risk Groups Comparing Crashes to National Averages Location Contributing Factors Age Helmet use Alcohol involvement Speeding Unendorsed 14

16. Evaluation Basics Purpose To determine the benefits and costs of each strategy or action To determine the effect of the overall program Types of Evaluation Formative - Assesses ongoing project activities Summative - Collects information about outcomes and related processes, strategies, and activities 15

17. Program Evaluation Crash Reports and Statistics Costs Program Management Policies and Procedures Public Knowledge and Attitude Surveys 16

18. Evaluation Measures Identify Problems Plan New Programs Improve Existing Programs Evaluate Resource Allocation/Utilization Assess Effectiveness of Operational Policies, Procedures, and Protocols 17

19. Review • Importance of Accurate Data • Data Collection Process • Data Improvement Strategies • Use of Safety Data in Road Safety Management

20. Exercise #4 Data and Public Policy