University of Louisville-CTI Statewide Linkage of Traffic Safety Datasets M3DA-2022-00-00-10

Abstract University of Louisville-CTI Statewide Linkage of Traffic Safety Datasets Currently traffic safety datasets are collected independently, limiting our capacity to jointly use them for insights. Linking data will enable detailed studies into crash outcomes, traffic injuries, and emergency response. The objective of this project is to extend work from FY20 to the most recently available data sets, and continue to explore what new datasets can be linked for improved traffic safety insights and how to link them. Another problem is data accessibility. Not all of potentially beneficial traffic safety datasets are collected by the same agency, and access protocols are difficult. To address this, we propose to prepare a user-access guide to each dataset that outlines access protocols and details about each dataset. We will also propose measures that can be taken at the point of data collection to improve the linkage rate. A. Goals and Objectives: 1. To link the latest crash, EMS, and trauma center data across 120 Counties in Kentucky (continuing goal from FY20). 2. To prepare a written document detailing how to access each of the linked datasets and the attributes available. 3. To identify 10 additional datasets that may be feasible to link to traffic safety datasets and conduct a feasibility analysis. B. Expectations and Activities: 1. Continuation of Crash, EMS, and Trauma dataset linkage for the most recent data. To accomplish activity 1, we will collect the latest available datasets from the following sources and perform the linkage algorithm we developed during FY20 version of the project – State Police Crash Data, KBEMS EMSIS Data, and KIPRC statewide trauma registry data. We will also continue to fine-tune the linkage algorithm and report on performance measures including total records linked, % of trauma records linked, % of EMS records linked, and % of crash records linked aggregated at the state and county level. Recommendations will be included to suggest measures that can be taken to improve linkage rates moving forward. 2. Development of a data-access guide to provide information about the data sets including attributes and instructions for access. For activity 2, we will prepare a guide to access Kentucky-related safety datasets to detail the processes and requirements that must be met, fields that are available, and the specific fields that may help in a linkage project. The FY20 iteration of this project proved that navigating access to these datasets, meeting security requirements, and understanding where and how it is collected is very challenging. This guide will help traffic safety data users in Kentucky learn about the datasets that are available and help them to understand the access protocols. 3. Formation of a set of prospective data sets available at the state or local level that can be linked in future iterations of the project. For activity 3, the project team will explore other local, state, and national datasets that may be candidates for integration. These datasets could include roadway inventories, horizontal curves, vertical curves, railroad crossing inventory and crash data, bridges, traffic operations data (e.g. Waze), vehicle type based on VIN, vehicle safety star ratings, weather data, organ donor data, EMS dispatch data, census data (aging distribution, household income), medical billing data, land use, development and zoning data, economic development data, and other transportation safety related GIS data. A feasibility analysis will be conducted, and strong candidates for integration will be recommended for inclusion in the linked dataset. UK Role and tasks: The University of Kentucky will play a support role in this project. Three tasks are to be conducted, as follows: 1. Provide access to data from the Cabinet for Health and Family Services Trauma Registry via the UK Data sharing agreement; provide virtual machine access to same via the UK Data Enterprise Center in the UK College of Pharmacy 2. Identify 10 additional datasets that may be feasible to link to traffic safety datasets and conduct a feasibility analysis. Investigate feasibility of linking the data. Provide analysis, visualization and interpretation of data as requested. Contribute to data access guide including data confidentiality issues. 3. Review and comment on draft final report