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PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION
The city of Rancho Cucamonga,
California averaged 1,313 motor vehicle crashes per year for 1993, 1994
and 1995, with each year increasing the number of crashes from the previous
year. This high rate of traffic crashes combined with a 210 percent
population increase and a 206 percent increase in new roadway miles
traveled since 1980, to produce a traffic safety situation which was
not easily managed by city law enforcement or engineering personnel.
Although the city maintained a collision record system, this system
did not the provide quick and accurate data necessary to determine where
scarce resources could best be used. City police and traffic engineers
frequently were forced to respond to existing traffic safety situations,
rather than being able to plan effective prevention strategies.
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
The Computerized Collision
Database and Analysis System (the System) was developed in 1996 by the
Rancho Cucamonga Community Development Department, to reduce the frequency
and severity of traffic crashes citywide. Specific objectives of the
System were to:
- Identify and purchase
computer hardware to operate a traffic crash tracking system
- Develop a database and
crash analysis system to meet the requirements of city staff
- Transfer all data from
the previous data collection system to the new System
- Train city staff in the
proper use and maintenance of the System
STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES
Engineers
from the Traffic Management Section of the Community Development Department
researched the qualifications of computer software consulting companies
that were qualified to provide a new crash data tracking system. Following
selection of the software vendor, city staff and the software consultant
developed a list of requirements for the new System. These included:
- Developing
a list of software-specific computer equipment necessary for the System
- Upgrading
existing computers rather than obtaining a new database-specific computer
with limited access for city personnel
- Purchasing
ancillary hardware, including two printers and a color plotter, with
the savings realized through upgrading existing computers
- Developing
data input methodologies, designing custom reports and creating mapping
capabilities
- Following
the initial System installation on Traffic Management Section computers,
the decision was made to install the System on police department computers,
as well. Police department computers were equipped with software to
track citations issued
- Training
was provided for city staff and the police department
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