FHWA's Office of Technology Applications and Office of Research and Development, in partnership with National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), are creating a clearinghouse for identifying and documenting as many automation projects as possible on technology used in the collection of crash data.

The effectiveness of any department of transportation, emergency service, law enforcement or any other public service agency is increasingly reliant on the ability of sound managers to make informed operational decisions. Decisions made without the benefit of sound data cannot stand up to public scrutiny. Conversely, department managers who do rely on the collection of accurate and timely data can make sound operational judgements and decisions. Decisions based on good information can save time, money and often lives.

The IACP will facilitate the establishment and maintenance of the clearinghouse. A program manager has been employed to manage the clearinghouse. Information on projects will include an explanation on how the technology assisted that department in helping its management make more informed decisions at the local level, and to share this information with other Federal, State and local users who would access the clearinghouse.

Methods, such as a survey and/or direct contacts by the program manager, will be developed to identify computer applications used by law enforcement or other highway safety and transportation agencies. These methods will be tailored to elicit information on an agency's experience with system development and implementation. Other methods of eliciting and disseminating information being considered are a computer bulletin board service, Internet, newsletters, papers and conference presentations.

The Technology Clearinghouse is now in full operation.

A work group meeting of practicitioners in the field of accident data collection has taken place to provide direction for the clearinghouse. Clearinghouse manager has developed a survey instrument to elicit information on projects and is currently building the Clearinghouse database. The Clearinghouse manager is still communicating with law enforcement agencies and other highway safety and transportation agencies to elicit and disseminate additional information.

Visit the IACP Homepage.

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U.S. Department of Transportation
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