Data Collection at Crash Scene

· Use field-based location tools and GPS capabilities in the data collection process to provide more accurate crash location

data. Crash location is a critical component of safety analysis. Accurate location data is necessary to identify potential hot

spots for safety improvement and can lead to systemic improvements.

· Provide an electronic drawing application to enforcement agencies for collision diagrams to ensure collision diagrams are

uniform and to improve accuracy. Collision diagrams are an essential component of safety analysis; the diagrams provide a

visual representation of the crash occurrence by demonstrating the direction of travel and surrounding circumstances.

Electronic Submission & Quality Assurance/Quality Control

· Provide the capability for law enforcement agencies to submit crash reports electronically to improve the accuracy and

timeliness of the crash data by eliminating the manual data entry process. Validation rules and audits should be a key

component of the system to eliminate errors and incomplete reports.

· Develop crash data standards for agencies to adhere to when creating crash reporting modules within their records

management system to promote system compatibility and provide uniform reporting standards.

· Institute a tracking system for reports returned to law enforcement for clarification or corrections to help ensure reports are

returned resulting in more complete and accurate data.

Integration and Accessibility

· Establish a unified roadway base map to include all roads for all public entities. The unified base map will facilitate data

collection of lengths and point items, establish methods for data sharing, and establish partnerships and cooperative

agreements with various agencies to ensure data accuracy and consistency.

· Make crash data accessible to the state’s safety stakeholders to promote cooperation and coordination of safety efforts.

· Develop data sharing agreements to reduce potential liability risks.Integrate the crash database with other state databases, which can supplement the crash data with additional information

related to the characteristics of the roadway, vehicle, driver, or medical consequence and provide a more accurate picture of

the crash.

· Develop a secure data warehouse to integrate data from multiple agencies.

· Develop web-based tools to provide partners with analytical, mapping, and statistical reporting tools.

Training

· Provide continued training of law enforcement to promote accurate and uniform crash data.

· Stress the importance of crash data in all training provided to law enforcement on crash data collection.

· Identify the most common errors made in crash report completion and develop training classes to teach proper procedures.