Integrating GIS and statistical approaches to enhance allocation of highway patrol resources
- 1 December 2019
- journal article
- research article
- Published by SAGE Publications in International Journal of Police Science & Management
- Vol. 22 (1), 84-95
- https://doi.org/10.1177/1461355719888939
Abstract
Large truck crashes undermine the contribution of trucks to the U.S. economy due to the economic costs of the crashes. Wyoming has the highest truck crash rate and the lowest budget contribution for traffic enforcement in the USA. Because of the state’s intensive truck corridors, the Wyoming Highway Patrol (WHP) might not be able to use their resources efficiently. Previous studies have indicated that WHP performed better when they allocate their resources efficiently at the right locations and towards the right enforcements. This study used 4-year historical crash and enforcement data along Interstate 80 (I-80), which has the highest truck-related crash rate in Wyoming. Crash data were filtered to include truck crashes only. However, both truck and no-truck enforcements were included in the data because both could be at fault in truck crashes. This study used two approaches to help state policy-makers improve traffic safety on I-80. First, a statistical method was used to identify geometric variables contributing to allocated enforcement and truck crashes. Second, truck crashes and related enforcements were visually assessed using Geographical Information Systems (GIS) mapping. Crash data were disaggregated into the main driver actions of no improper driving, following too closely, improper lane change and driving too fast for the conditions. These driver actions accounted for more than 70% of all truck crashes on I-80. Related enforcements were also identified and disaggregated by driver actions. Disaggregated enforcements and crashes were visualized along the I-80 corridor using GIS maps to see if WHP allocated their resources efficiently. Cluster index, enforcement spatial coverage and mean density are some of the parameters used for the analyses. This study aimed to contribute to research on police effectiveness in reducing truck crashes, police innovation and the use of GIS applications in enforcement. This methodology can be used by other agencies to better allocate resources to improve traffic safety in most efficient ways.Keywords
Funding Information
- Federal Highway Administration (22)
This publication has 21 references indexed in Scilit:
- Effects of Roadway Geometric Design Features on Frequency of Truck-Related CrashesTransportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, 2016
- Using geographical information systems to organize police patrol routes effectively by grouping hotspots of crash and crime dataJournal of Transport Geography, 2013
- Kernel density estimation and K-means clustering to profile road accident hotspotsAccident Analysis & Prevention, 2009
- Geographical information systems aided traffic accident analysis system case study: city of AfyonkarahisarAccident Analysis & Prevention, 2008
- A GIS-based Bayesian approach for analyzing spatial–temporal patterns of intra-city motor vehicle crashesJournal of Transport Geography, 2007
- Analysis of the Effects of Speed Limit Enforcement Cameras: Differentiation by Road Type and Catchment AreaTransportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, 2004
- Effects of road geometry and traffic volumes on rural roadway accident ratesAccident Analysis & Prevention, 2002
- Factors in Truck Crashes on Roadways with IntersectionsTransportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, 2002
- Persistence of Violation and Crash Behavior Over TimeJournal of Safety Research, 2000
- The relationship between truck accidents and geometric design of road sections: Poisson versus negative binomial regressionsAccident Analysis & Prevention, 1994