Development of a Web-Based Database for Highway Safety Analysis in Texas

Improving highway safety is one of the strategic goals for most of the state Department of Transportations. Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has several well-maintained statewide databases to support transportation management and decision-making processes. While these databases collect a broad range of data, from pavement conditions, traffic information, and highway geometrics to crash records, there is not an integrated database that combines all the information needed to facilitate safety analysis and management. In this study, a framework is presented for developing a comprehensive database that can facilitate improved access and application of safety-related information for safety management at the network level. Major issues for the development of such a database, including identifying data sources, selecting variables of interest, reviewing data quality, merging data from multiple data resources and multiple referencing systems, preparing data in a format that is efficient for safety analysis, are discussed in detail. A database with extensive web application capabilities and options was developed according to the proposed methodology, providing a reliable data source for analyzing various safety problems. The analysis results can potentially assist TxDOT in monitoring its highway safety performance at the network level, understanding safety problems on roadways, and improving the overall safety performance of the highway system. Suggestions are also made for future improvement of the database.