UK-KTC Kentucky Traffic Safety Data Service (KTSDS)

For data to be useful, they must first be developed into information. From this information, knowledge and even wisdom can be derived. The improper (intentional or unintentional) use of data can result in poor analytical conclusions, waste of resources, and ultimately injury or even loss of life. Accessibility is a key metric to describe the quality of traffic records. Much has been done in Kentucky to improve the accessibility to data but not to improve the accessibility to the information, knowledge, and wisdom that can and should be the goal of a data query. Access to those with the education, training, and experience to provide this outcome is difficult or impossible to many who would benefit from this improved access. These groups include decision makers, consultants, non-safety state and local agencies, law enforcement groups, citizens groups, attorneys, and the media. For the last 3 categories especially, careful attention must be paid to so-called simple data and information requests such that a) all potentially affected parties are aware of the requests, b) information and analysis is properly obtained and developed, c) the information provided is properly documented, and that d) users are adequately educated as to proper use. Often, data experts must work with requestors and help them articulate what they actually need to accomplish the goal that precipitated the initial request. The Kentucky Transportation Center (KTC) has considerable resources and expertise for identifying and addressing safety concerns using a variety of traffic records databases and tools. The aim of this study is to increase access to data from the six traffic record systems but more especially to increase access to expert resources with a more in-depth knowledge of the databases. Accordingly, KTC will develop and host a free traffic data service to enable users to "access an expert" to conduct small studies and get answers to traffic safety problems. These answers would ordinarily be out of reach due to a) difficulty and expense of contracting, or b) lack of awareness that such expert resources exist and are available to them.