Citation

Miller J. Transp. Res. Rec. 1997; 1581: 10-17.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1997, Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences USA, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.3141/1581-02

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Although advanced technologies have the potential to improve crash records processing, a number of recurrent institutional properties must be examined to comprehend the limits and rewards of these technologies. These properties include the diversity of crash-data users and providers, the dynamic nature of crash records processing, and the lack of a single entity that reaps all the benefits and bears all the costs of crash records processing. Although not inherently bad, these properties contribute to a number of problems with crash records processing, such as lack of access to crash data, inconsistencies among crash databases, and disincentives to implementing new technologies or organizational changes that would make crash data more accessible, timely, or practical. With data obtained from a comprehensive inventory of Virginia's computerized crash records systems, the feasibility of using technology to address these properties and the resultant problems was examined. A framework for assessing whether a proposed change will help solve short-term problems or overcome long-term obstacles was proposed.

Language: en