USDOT hopes to put decades of data collection to new use preventing fatal collisions by predicting when they might occur.
Taking a fresh look at its 750 "siloed and unrefined" national datasets, USDOT plans to identify and combat some of the less obvious contributors to fatal crashes—going beyond direct causes, like speeding, to proximate factors like time of day, road conditions, and weather.
As part of the new initiative, USDOT will partner with Waze to compare real-time and historical data on unsafe road conditions in order to gauge the likelihood of future collisions. Eventually, they hope to use artificial intelligence to find more nuanced connections among contributing factors.
Eno Transportation reports that the initiative will begin with two pilot programs:
The first project will help USDOT to better understand how vehicle speed, speed differentials, and roadway characteristics factor into fatal crashes. GPS-enabled devices will collect anonymized data on the prevailing speeds of vehicles across the entire National Highway System every 5 minutes. This will be the first time that USDOT has conducted such a study on a national scale.
The second pilot will leverage roadway hazard reports from Waze users on the road and USDOT’s historical crash data to estimate crash risks ahead of time. This might not only predict the likelihood of a crash, but also could present opportunities to mitigate those risks ahead of time by notifying drivers using the app.
FULL STORY: USDOT Launches New Data Initiative to Predict (and Maybe Prevent) Fatal Crashes
Despite Stay-at-Home Orders, U.S. Traffic Deaths Rose in 2020
Dangerous behaviors picked up during the early, low-traffic days of the pandemic are partly to blame.
Traffic Deaths Rise in New York State, Despite Fewer Crashes
Traffic fatality rates have spiked in New York State since the pandemic, with speeding and drunk driving among the biggest catalysts.
The Geography of Fatal Car Crashes
Where do the most traffic deaths happen?
San Diego to Rescind Multi-Unit ADU Rule
The city wants to close a loophole that allowed developers to build apartment buildings on single-family lots as ADUs.
Has President Trump Met His Match?
Doug Ford, the no-nonsense premier of Canada's most populous province, Ontario, is taking on Trump where it hurts — making American energy more expensive.
Study: London ULEZ Rapidly Cleaning up Air Pollution
Expanding the city’s ultra low-emission zone has resulted in dramatic drops in particle emissions in inner and outer London.
The Unseen Aftermath: Wildfires’ Lasting Health and Emotional Burden
Wildfires in Los Angeles not only pose immediate physical health risks but also lead to long-term respiratory problems and mental health struggles, underscoring the need for a coordinated public health response to mitigate their lasting effects.
Public Parks as Climate Resilience Tools
Designed with green infrastructure, parks can mitigate flooding, reduce urban heat, and enhance climate resilience, offering cost-effective solutions to environmental challenges while benefiting communities.
What the Proposed Federal Budget Means for Transit, Rail
The proposed FY 2025 budget keeps spending for public transit and passenger rail essentially the same as in 2024.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Resource Assistance for Rural Environments
City of Edmonds
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research