Using GPS To Locate Collisions

Lessons Learned

Division of Traffic

Accident Surveillance Section

Boyd T. Sigler• Manager, KYTC Accident Surveillance Section

• 26+ Years in Traffic Records Data Usage and Highway Safety Coordination

• Former Cabinet Highway Safety Coordinator, KYTC

• Chair, Traffic & Safety Research Advisory Committee

• Board of Directors, Kentucky CODES Project

• Instructor - Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training - Eastern Kentucky University

• Contributing writer - Kentucky Law Enforcement News

Background

• Kentucky Uses Route-Milepoint for Location• Milepoint Data on Collision Report

Inconsistent/Inaccurate• Technology Grant Received In 1997 - KYTC

Requests Exploration of GPS• Selective Availability Removed• Hand-held GPS Receivers Became More

Affordable and More Accurate

Background

• KYTC Worked With FHWA To Secure Funding - $900,000 HES Funds

• Team of Enforcement, Engineering, GIS• Purchased GPS Receivers• Train-The-Trainer Session and Receiver

Distribution• Started Reporting on Collision Reports

January 2002

Lesson #1

Partner With All Necessary Agencies From The Beginning

Enforcement - State & Local

Transportation Engineering Staff

GIS & Mapping Staff

Distribution & Training

Lesson #2

Make Sure That The Training Is Conducted By Knowledgeable

Individuals

Make Sure That The Correct Individuals Are On-Hand To

Be Trained

GPS UNITS

Provided To State & Local Enforcement At No Cost To The

Agencies

Lesson #3

Do A Thorough Check Of Enforcement Agency

Resources Even Though It Requires More Time

Lesson #4

Prepare Collision Report Form For Use

With GPS

GPS Coordinates

Lesson #5

Use Data Edit Checks For Coordinates

Make Certain They Are In Place Before Data

Entry Begins

Statewide View Before Edits

Full Extent View Before Edits

76,000 Crashes - January 1-June 30, 2002

Full Extent View After Edits

41,000 Crashes - October 1 - December 31, 2002

Lesson #6

Allow For Various Mapping Changes

Kentucky Single ZoneState Plane Coordinate System

Lesson #7

Partner With Field Officers & Their

Agencies

http://www.kytc.state.ky.us/drvsmrt/

Lesson #8Provide Feedback To Field Officers

Lesson #9

Spotlight

Agencies That Provide Quality Data

http://docjt.jus.state.ky.us/

Lesson #10

Develop A Method Of Evaluation

CONTACT

• Boyd.Sigler@mail.state.ky.us

• 502-564-3020

• 501 High St., Frankfort, KY 40622

QUESTIONS???