CHALLENGE TO THE CONFERENCE: THE NHTSA PERSPECTIVE

The task before this conference is to help states plan their safety programs on the basis of accident data and help them put safety efforts and funds where objective data indicate the safety problem is worst. The problem identification process can be an effective means of managing the safety program if records systems are adequate, if methods of assessing these systems and analyzing data are effective, and if competent personnel are available. However, there are a number of administrative, mechanical and technical difficulties in the problem identification process. Among the administrative issues are the following specific problems: pressure for concrete results; reduced emphasis on support activities; emphasis on large rather than small projects; and inadequate opportunity for program evaluation. Mechanical problems include incomplete data, lack of exposure data, and lack of trained personnel. Technical issues which hamper problem identification include variations in data treatment. The accident records systems lend themselves to analysis of total numbers of accidents. The task, then, is to find appropriate ways of using accident statistics to define problems and to manage highway safety programs.

• Record URL:
  • https://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trcircular/233/233-002.pdf
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00978515
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Workshop sponsored by the Committee on Planning and Administration of Transportation Safety of the Transportation Research Board, held in Kings Island, Ohio, August 4-6, 1981. Published in Transportation Research Circular No. 233, Management of Accident Data Systems. Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
• Corporate Authors:

  Transportation Research Board

  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001
• Authors:
  • Voas, R B
• Publication Date: 1981-11

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Pagination: p. 5-7
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Circular
  • Issue Number: 233
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0097-8515

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Crash exposure; Crash records; Data analysis; Evaluation; Management information systems; Mathematical analysis; Personnel; Problem identification; Safety programs
• Uncontrolled Terms: Exposure
• Old TRIS Terms: Accident record systems
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors; Society; I81: Accident Statistics;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00371716
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Apr 29 1983 12:00AM