Improving Crash Location, Display, and Analysis by Combining CARE and GPSTechnologies

摘要

In the state of Alabama, crash locations are currently estimated by lawenforcement officers at the scene of a crash. The locations are typically placed at identifiable points along the roadway such as mileposts and intersections. Because of this fact, a clustering effect is produced along highways which places most crashes at mileposts. The resulting resolution can locate vehicle crashes caused by the same roadway variable as far apart as 1.6 kilometers, making accurate identification of roadway safety hazards difficult. This research project was initiated through the University Transportation Center for Alabama (UTCA) to investigate improvements to vehicle crash analysis through accurate and inexpensive collection and display of crash location using global positioning system (GPS) and geographic information system (GIS) technologies. GPS units from $130 to $3300 were evaluated based on cost, accuracy, usability, additional equipment needed, and collection time. From this analysis two GPS units were selected: (1) a hand-held unit, the Garmin GPS 12 Map, and (2) a computer-based unit, the Rand McNally StreetFinder Deluxe.