Some Data Considerations for Traffic Accident Research

This paper focuses on the data aspects of research in progress in an attempt to highlight data base design, data needs and some considerations of data specification for road traffic accident research. The paper examines a multidisciplinary data collection project to examine Canadian motor vehicle safety standards for light trucks and vans, some aspects of human factors in traffic crash severity and the measurement of traffic conflicts as a complement to accident records at road intersections. Particular emphasis is on: (1) measures for accident reconstruction using the CRASH 3 computer programs; (2) driver risk propensity as measure by injury severity; and (3) definition, scaling, and reliability of measures for recording traffic conflicts. The research presented in the paper is ongoing and therefore the inferences made are tentative. Nonetheless, it is hoped the paper contributes to an understanding of data design and collection for research into traffic crashes.