Sharing Crash Data with the Public
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Research and Communication Services Transportation Wisconsin Department of Transportation 608-261-8198 Synthesis Report [email protected] Sharing Crash Data with the Public Prepared for Bureau of Highway Operations Prepared by CTC & Associates LLC WisDOT Research and Communication Services Section February 2, 2007 Transportation Synthesis Reports (TSRs) are brief summaries of currently available information on topics of interest to WisDOT technical staff. Online and print sources include NCHRP and other TRB programs, AASHTO, the research and practices of other state DOTs, and related academic and industry research. Internet hyperlinks in TSRs are active at the time of publication, but changes on the host server can make them obsolete. Request for Report The WisTransPortal (http://transportal.cee.wisc.edu/) is a cutting-edge data management system under development at the University of Wisconsin-Madison to help Wisconsin DOT effectively manage and use traffic and operations data from multiple sources. A number of practical tools have emerged from the project, including a crash statistics database that is available to the department for traffic safety research. This resource is also available to a limited extent to the general public, who may submit written requests for crash statistics of a broader nature. WisTransPortal continues to acquire improved capabilities for data management and analysis, suggesting new opportunities for public use of crash report and summary information in the database and for facilitating public access. Recognizing this potential, the Bureau of Highway Operations is recrafting the guidelines for public access and use of the database, and requested information on other state DOTs’ policies and procedures for sharing crash data of both a sensitive and a more general nature. Summary We present our findings in two sections: the results of an AASHTO RAC Survey and of a Literature Search. AASHTO RAC Survey To help identify other states’ practices for sharing crash data with the general public, we distributed a brief survey to members of the AASHTO Research Advisory Committee, consisting of four questions: 1. Does your state provide public access to any crash data it maintains? If so, how is the access provided? 2. Does your state provide public access to all or portions of the actual database where the individual crash records are stored? If so, how is the access provided? 3. Does your state have written guidelines for providing public access to crash data? If so, please provide a copy of the guidelines. 4. Please provide contact information for a person who could answer questions about your department’s procedures for providing public access to crash data. Twenty-one state DOTs and three Canadian agencies responded with helpful and practical information, and full state-by-state summaries are presented below. Responses received after January 29 will be forwarded directly to BHO. Findings from the survey included: • Twelve respondents reported that they share crash data of a more comprehensive nature with the general public, either through a Web site, in printed form or on a CD. • None of the agencies reported providing general access to their crash database. However, Connecticut will provide a CD copy of its crash files (sans personal identifiers) to data users. Massachusetts will provide town-wide (via Excel) or statewide crash information (via Access) upon request, enabling the requestor to sort through the data and identify specific crashes of interest. The data files are sent by e-mail or by mail on a CD depending on the size of the files. The Highway Safety Research Group Web site (http://lhsc.lsu.edu/) referenced in Louisiana’s response is a multifaceted resource that provides information on Louisiana’s traffic crash statistics, links to important crash- related Web sites, reports relating to traffic accidents, and a query generator allowing users to query the database for data specific to their needs. Literature Search To locate additional information on transportation agencies’ practices for sharing crash data, we performed an Internet search that provided pertinent information. Items of interest include: • NCHRP Synthesis 350: Crash Records Systems. This report examines crash records systems practices and programs as applied to highway and traffic safety. Practical discussion includes development of a “knowledge base,” a resource that increases the utility of crash data for less experienced users and helps build strong advocates for traffic records improvement throughout a state. • North Carolina DOT. The Interactive Crash Data Tool allows queries of cross-tabulated information by city, county and other variables for researching bicycle and pedestrian crash data. This resource is available to planners, engineers, government officials and citizens who are interested in analyzing bicycle and pedestrian crashes in their communities. • Oregon DOT. The Crash Analysis and Reporting Unit provides motor vehicle crash data through database creation, maintenance and quality assurance, information and reports, and limited database access. Ten years of crash data is maintained at all times; the data supports various local, county and state traffic safety programs, engineering and planning projects, legislative concepts, and law enforcement services. 2 AASHTO RAC Survey Arkansas Respondent: Karen Bonds, Traffic Records Manager/FARS Supervisor- Highway Safety Office, Arkansas State Police. Phone: 501-618-8405, e-mail: [email protected]. 1. No public access. Summaries by location, condition, etc., provided to public on request. 2. No. 3. No guidelines, just verbal instructions. Database provided to state agencies with bona fide need only. 4. Karen Bonds. British Columbia Respondent: Joy Sengupta, Sr. Highway Safety Engineer, BC Ministry of Transportation. Phone: 250-356-5292, e-mail: [email protected]. 1. Yes, the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia maintains an annual Traffic Collision Statistic that is available for public viewing at the following link: http://www.icbc.com/library/research_papers/traffic/index.asp. 2. No. 3. No. 4. Joy Sengupta. California Respondent: Brad Boehm, Traffic Accident Surveillance and Analysis System Division. E-mail: [email protected]. 1. Caltrans crash data (excluding any confidential driver/passenger information) is provided to the general public on a “case-by-case” basis and only after Legal has verified that any claim concerning the location or collision of interest has not been filed (nor is pending). In general, public access to crash data is limited to hard copies that are prepared by Caltrans staff specific to the request and all reports are vetted through the Caltrans legal division. 2. The answer is no. Caltrans has denied the public direct, unlimited access to our database work station(s) and record storage facilities in the past. 3. Yes, we are currently updating our guideline/policy and I will send a copy by the end of the month. 4. Kevin Riley, Executive Engineering Assistant, Division of Traffic Operations. Phone: 916-651-9377 (office) or 916-708-7234 (cell), e-mail [email protected]. Connecticut Respondent: Gene Interlandi, Transportation Planner, Division of Systems Information. Phone: 860-594-2096, e-mail: [email protected]. 1. Yes, the Connecticut Department of Transportation (Department) does provide public access to its crash data. Access is provided by distributing both annual and customized reports to data users. Copies of the actual crash file are also provided by copying the crash file to CD and providing it to data users. The Department does require written requests directed to Department management for this information. 2. The Department provides public access to the entire file. The Connecticut crash file does not include any personal identifiers. Access is provided by copying the crash file to CD and providing it to data users. 3. The state does not have written guidelines for providing public access to crash data. 4. Gene Interlandi. Delaware Respondent: Tyrone Crittenden, Division of Planning. Phone: 302-760-2162, e-mail: [email protected]. 1. We do not provide crash data to the public as a routine matter. If an individual is persistent, and the location is not on our Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) list, we will provide data only on the number of crashes at a particular location but will not provide any detailed crash or personal data. 2. We do not provide access to the public of our database. 3. We do not have a written policy although we’ve attempted to develop one several times in the past. 4. Tyrone Crittenden. 3 Florida Respondent: Patrick Brady, Transportation Safety Engineer. Phone: 850-245-1502 or 850-245-1500, e-mail: [email protected]. 1. Crash reports may be obtained from the local Florida Highway Patrol station (http://www.fhp.state.fl.us/misc/CrashReport/Where.htm) that is closest to where the crash occurred. Crash reports are kept in the local districts for two years from the date of crash. Homicide reports are kept in the local districts for five years from the date of crash. To order a crash report ($2) older than two years, persons should call 850-617- 3416. To order a traffic homicide report ($25) older than five years, persons should call 850-617-2306. To order traffic homicide photographs, persons should call 850-617-3409. Photographs are $1 for 5x7 or $1.50 for 8x10. When requesting photographs, individuals must have at least two of the following pieces of information available when placing a request: date of crash, county of crash, name of fatality victim, traffic homicide case number. 2. A Web location for general data is http://www.hsmv.state.fl.us/reports/crash_facts.html. The official keeper of the traffic crash reports for the State of Florida is the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV), http://www.hsmv.state.fl.us/. Their policy for handling access to the crash data is independent of the agency that employs me.