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using the analytic tools as well as conducting analyses on strategic-planning effort. The TRCC should have the lead in
request. A data warehouse is also an ideal place for creation such an effort and the custodial agencies should be strong
and management of merged datasets resulting from the participants and backers of the initiatives. While it is true that
linkage between various traffic records components. federal grant dollars can be used in the initial stages of these
Where necessary, the warehouse staff can help to control efforts, experience has shown that a dependency on grant
access to restricted information while still ensuring that the funding does not bode well for the long-term viability of a
data are available to legitimate users. system. Budgeting for the life-cycle costs of a system and find-
· Promote the use of GIS and other advanced technologies that add ing ways to ensure that the system is self-sufficient (for both
value to the information. The mapping capabilities of GIS are funding and other resources) are the keys to sustainability for
an example of value added data management and analysis. the foreseeable future. The TRCC is an ideal group for mak-
Mapping implies the ability to locate events (e.g., crashes, ing recommendations about the long-term health of the sys-
citations, EMS runs, etc.) in a way that is also compatible with tem, but ultimately the funding to support this coordinated
other location-based datasets (such as state and local roadway long-term effort must come from the state (and perhaps
inventory files, traffic data, population and demographics). local) agencies with custodial responsibility over a portion of
By layering the maps of safety-related events with roadway, the traffic records system. These agencies are not likely to
traffic and other data, a rich picture of the safety problems for spend their money on other agencies' systems unless there is
a state or local area can emerge. This information, when some obvious benefit to them in completing their own pri-
shared with decision makers in the agencies responsible for mary mission. In addition, the decision to share information
data collection, can provide them with a powerful resource technology resources may have to be taken at a higher level
that helps them do their job. These decision makers, in turn, than even the custodial agencies' leadership. A consortium of
are more likely to appreciate the value of collecting and re- data owners, collectors, and users is the best way to make the
porting high-quality data in a timely fashion. This is but one case for the eventual pooling of resources. The TRCC and
example of how an inter-agency partnership and returning Executive TRCC are viewed as a good starting point for
data-for-data can help to improve cooperation and help to developing the argument in favor of shared resources.
make the case for improved data quality. Ensuring that the
local agencies have access to data and analytic resources (as in
Closure Good Data Produce Better Results
the case of a data warehouse) is another way to give them an
incentive to improve data quality. The use of highway safety data is integral to safety deci-
· Establish web-based data entry/editing and analysis facilities for sions. The better and more complete the data, the better the
use by agencies that cannot afford field data collection systems. resulting decisions. This guide has provided analytical meth-
Data collectors (especially in law enforcement, the courts, ods that can assist the safety analyst in choosing and targeting
and EMS) include some very small and not-well-funded safety improvement strategies in the 22 different emphasis
organizations. Many of these smaller agencies do not areas of the AASHTO Strategic Highway Safety Plan. Alter-
contribute a large amount of data individually, but taken as native methods have been presented for different levels of
a group may be responsible for a meaningful portion of the available safety data from crash data only to mileposted and
overall highway and traffic safety information available in a linked crash, inventory, and traffic data. However, the con-
state. Under current conditions, it is rare for these agencies sistent message presented throughout the guide is that the
to be able to justify or afford field-data collection or other ad- "full" safety data systems will allow for more detailed analy-
vanced systems. Even if the software is provided free of sis and more precise answers. Such systems do not currently
charge, the cost of the equipment and training required to exist in all state and local jurisdictions that are tasked with the
make use of the software may be prohibitive. In states facing responsibility for these safety decisions. This final section has
this situation, one solution is to provide web-based access for provided a discussion of ways to improve existing data sys-
data entry, data editing, and analysis to support these users. tems, including recommendations concerning how to better
While the initial intent may be to support the small depart- coordinate the various organizations involved in collecting
ments/agencies, the availability of a web-based system may and using the various forms of safety data and what specific
appeal to medium and even large agencies as an alternative data-improvement strategies have proven to be successful in
to implementing a system locally. the past. It is hoped that these recommendations will result in
improvements in data that will lead to decisions that will help
The selection of strategies for improving traffic records in solve one of the largest public health problems faced by the
a state is best accomplished in the context of an overall United States highway crashes.
