traffic safety
- Strengths
- Safety-related Programs and Services
- Safety Data Tools
- Safety-related Research
- Traffic Safety-related Publications
- Safety-related Staff
Strengths
CTRE offers significant expertise in traffic safety including training/outreach, service to Iowa agencies, and research. In general, this expertise includes
- safety data analysis and visualization tools
- special studies and research
- planning and design for safe and efficient transportation systems
Several CTRE graduate research assistants help generate maps and other visual tools, such as this large plot of crash data, for the ITSDS.
Safety-related Programs and Services
Overview
A presentation on safety data resources available in Iowa (2.3 mb pdf).
Iowa Traffic Safety Data Service (ITSDS)
The ITSDS provides timely access to crash data analyses and reports generated by a variety of safety and GIS-based tools. Some of these tools, like Intersection Magic, are off the shelf. Others have been developed by the Iowa DOT and CTRE. Graduate students on staff respons to agencies' requests with information in various data and graphic formats.
The Safety Circuit Rider trains people how to set up proper work zones and follow safety procedures.
Safety Circuit Rider
Iowa's award-winning Safety Circuit Rider program, part of the Local Technical Assistance Program, presents free and low-cost safety workshops to local transportation agencies on request and in their own shops and offices. Work zone safety, flagger training, MUTCD requirements, and roadside safety are all popular workshop topics.
Weather
Faculty and staff at CTRE and ISU have conducted research and technology trnasfer activities in weather-related transportation research for several years. The Center for Weather Impacts on Mobility and Safety was formed in 2005.
Safety Data Tools
The Iowa DOT is the lead for the FHWA's National Model for the Statewide Application of Data Collection and Management Technology for crash records. Many safety data-related tools developed by CTRE for the Iowa DOT contribute to the state's effort to collect, share, and integrate data statewide.
Officer Information Manager
The Officer Information Manager technology, a key component of the National Model, automates the completion of driver- and vehicle-related reports by law enforcement officers in the field using pen-based computers.
Incident Location Tool
The incident location tool uses geographic information systems software to provide users with a map-based computer screen for entering crash data. It's one part of a larger data collection and management technology system that approximately 200 Iowa agencies are using to share safety information. The incident location tool was originally developed for the Iowa DOT. The tool has also been adopted by several other states including South Dakota, Florida, Georgia, Delaware, and New York.
Incident Mapping and Analysis Tool (IMAT) and Crash Mapping and Analysis Tool (CMAT)
These tools analyze crashes throughout the state with set criteria. Local agencies use IMAT. CMAT is used to analyze crashes from the statewide crash database.
Accident Location and Analysis Systems (ALAS)
For several years, CTRE has been involved with developing several iterations of location and analysis tools, from PC-ALAS to GIS ALAS and Access ALAS. The Safety Analysis, Visualization, and Exploration (SAVER) tool developed by the Iowa DOT is the final product.
Emergency Response Information System (ERIS)
The ERIS consists of GIS databases of local emergency response agency boundaries and attributes for the state of Iowa. A pilot project involved the emergency management systems and fire districts in 22 counties.
Safety-related Research
CTRE conducts a variety of safety-related research. See a list of projects with links to abstracts and project reports.
Four-Lane to Three-Lane Conversion
Research and papers about this safety technique, also known as "road diets," that has been successfully implemented in Iowa.
Smart Work Zone Deployment Initiative (SWZDI)
This pooled-fund group of Midwest states researches better ways of controlling traffic through work zones. CTRE began administering this program in 2005.
Traffic Safety-related Publications
CTRE's list of traffic safety-related publications includes brochures, practical manuals/handbooks, research reports, and newsletters for safety-related associations.
Safety-related Staff
The following staff members have particular expertise and interest in transportation-related safety outreach or research:
| Name | Title | |
|---|---|---|
| Brink, Marcia | Communications Manager | mbrink@iastate.edu |
| Gieseman, Dan | Transportation Systems Analyst | dgiesema@iastate.edu |
| Hallmark, Shauna | Transportation Engineer | shallmar@iastate.edu |
| Hans, Zach | GIS Specialist | zhans@iastate.edu |
| Hawkins, Neal | Associate Director of Traffic Operations | hawkins@iastate.edu |
| Hogan, Jim | LTAP Librarian | hoganj@iastate.edu |
| Kroeger, Dennis | Transportation Research Specialist | kroeger@iastate.edu |
| Maze, Tom | Transportation Engineer | tmaze@iastate.edu |
| McDonald, Tom | Safety Circuit Rider | tmcdonal@iastate.edu |
| Smadi, Omar | Pavement Management Specialist | smadi@iastate.edu |
| Souleyrette, Reg | Associate Director of Transportation Planning and Information Systems | reg@iastate.edu |
