1. Delaware’s Traffic Records Assessment
December 2000

2. Pre-Assessment Climate
Safety Management System (SMS)
ISTEA requirement
Oct 1, 1994—work plan in place and by Oct 1, 1996 fully operational
SMS was defined as a process to reduce the number and severity of motor vehicle crashes by coordinating highway safety planning and design, and through the effective implementation of highway safety countermeasures and strategies.
DE’s SMS committee consisted of over 40 representatives from federal, state and local government

3. SMS continued DE SMS accomplishments
Agencies started thinking comprehensively about data collection and data sharing and its impact on highway safety
Roadmap (1997)—SMS’s strategic plan for crash data collection and reporting. The Roadmap recommended an action plan for the development and implementation of an electronic crash reporting environment.

4. SMS continued
Crash data dictionary—State Police, Highway Safety and Transportation representatives met for over a year to revise and update the data fields of information collected on the uniform crash report.
The group’s intent was similar to that of MMUCC—establish consistent data element definitions to improve problem identification, establishment of priority areas and goals, and to evaluate program success.

5. What happened next? TEA-21 legislation and 411 funds Y2K phenomenon
411 funds available for states with TRCC’s, strategic plans, and TR assessments
Y2K phenomenon
Overall, SMS efforts provided the foundation for our current TR improvement projects

6. TR Assessment
Met with Ed Milton, NHTSA and Clay Hatch, Assessment Coordinator in late Summer 2000
Planned for December 4-8, 2000

7. Preparations
Planned an interview schedule over 2 and ½ days and selected the hotel
TRCC provided ample opportunity to identify appropriate participants
NHTSA provided various planning documents—2 most important:
Checklist and timelines for completion of all prep prior to the event
Assessment Questionnaire for participants—provided needed background for the assessment team.

8. Preparations (continued)
Team members selected:
Jack Zogby, M.P.A., PA (DOT)
Larry Holestine, CO (enforcement)
Bob Scopatz, PhD, FL (crash data)
Lang Spell, VA (DMV)
Bob Bailey, M.A., NC (EMS)
Kay Banks, OK (Administrative Assistant)

9. Assessment Highlights
Team allowed OHS to present the first morning
Allowed me the opportunity to hear first hand where the challenges were according to the TRCC members—perfect timing
For selected partners, I did leave the room

10. Assessment Recommendations
Ensure the TRCC includes representation from all stakeholders (accomplished)
Assign oversight responsibility to the TRCC (ongoing)
Have TRCC develop the TR System Strategic Plan (accomplished)
Outline the process for the development of the automated crash reporting project (accomplished)
Revise and implement a new crash report form in advance of the automated crash report form (discarded)

11. Recommendations continued
Create a TR System Resource Guide (delayed pending current efforts)
Promote use of simpler query tools and allow greater access to crash data (accomplished)
Provide TR system training—possibly conduct a training needs assessment (delayed pending development of NHTSA TR training opportunities)
Establish a statewide GIS system (accomplished)
Fully implement CODES to improve data linkage (accomplished)

12. Where are we now? Automated Crash Report Project
RFP issued Spring 2001
TraCS identified as the best solution
Programmers begin the conversion
Piloted to 35 officers from 10 agencies in October 2002
Still in pilot phase
Training planned utilizing pilot phase participants
Tow slip (completed) and automated ticket (in development) are part of the package

13. Accomplishments cont.
RFP for TRCC Strategic Plan and System Requirements Definition (SRD)
InfoGroup selected from 4 proposals received from TR and IT specialists
Contract signed in spring 2002 to prepare a Strategic Plan and SRD for the integrated data collection system
Also charged with assisting OHS in identifying a data analysis tool to assist OHS in the problem identification process
Integrated data collection system to combine crash, DMV, location, adjudication, and EMS data to improve DE’s overall crash picture
Strategic Plan and SRD outlined the recommendations necessary to achieve an integrated data collection system

14. Accomplishments cont.
CARE (Critical Analysis Reporting Environment) by U of Alabama
Identified by InfoGroup as a potential solution to OHS’ problem data analysis limitations
Capability to provide overrepresentation in crash data was especially appealing
Since March 2003, DE crash data has been downloaded for analysis
CARE staff been especially helpful in addressing revisions requested, providing training exercises, and providing back-end technical assistance
Training for OHS staff to take place within next few months
CARE may be the tool to provide the integrated data collection system through either a web-based or desktop application

15. Lastly…
TRCC meets about 3 times per year to update members on progress made toward development and implementation of the integrated data collection system
Updates on TRCC made to the OHS website
Continued enhancement of the EMS Data Information Network (electronic patient care reports)
Continued efforts to link crash, patient care reports, and hospital discharge data through CARE

16. Office of Highway Safety
Questions??
Contact info:
Jana Simpler
Management Analyst
Office of Highway Safety
P.O. Box 1321
Dover, DE
(302)