U.S. Department of Transportation
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
August 1, 2011
37th International Forum on Traffic Records &
Highway Safety Information SystemsCharlotte, North Carolina
Working with States to Improve Crash Data Quality
John McDonoughNISR, Inc.
2Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
Working with States
TOPICS• FMCSA Efforts Overview and Crash Data Trends• FMCSA Crash Data Collection Training• Data Extraction assistance for reportable Cases• Assistance with Data Import to XML• SAFETYNET Coding and Validation Manual and
Consistency Checks• VIN Decoder • Crash Form Review and Recommendations
3Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
FMCSA Crash Data Flowchart
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FMCSA Crash Data Flowchart
• The MCMIS crash file includes commercial and some non-commercial motor vehicle records.
• The crash file is used by the Data Quality team, and for Analysis, reporting, research, studies, and enforcement and compliance programs.
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FMCSA Crash Data Flowchart
• State crash data is collected on state crash forms or electronic collection software and stored in a state accident repository.
• Records that qualify for upload to FMCSA are extracted to a file for data import to a State SAFETYNET System. Some states hand enter the vehicle records.
• The SAFETYNET crash data is uploaded to the FMCSA Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS)
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State Crash Data Emphasis Areas
►Crash Report Data• Data elements available
• Attribute sets complete
►Training• Are the instructions clear
• Does law enforcement understand the fields
►Extraction and Upload• Is the data making it to the state repository
• Is the extraction file being prepared properly
Bus seats for 9-15 including the driver
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FMCSA Data Quality Efforts and Crash Data Trends
►Data Quality Efforts• Data Quality Measures
• MMUCC / PAR Review Work
• Training
• Data Monitoring
• Extraction Assistance
►A look at some general trend statistics on:• GVWR, Driver License Class, Vehicle Configuration,
and Vehicle Identification Number
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GVWR/GCWR (2004-2010)2004
2010
Year Blanks
2004 26.56%
2006 20.02%
2008 4.29%
2010 1.02%
Good News
Significant Reductions in GVWR Blanks
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Driver License Class (2004-2010)
Good News
Significant Reductions in DLC Blanks
2004
2010
Year Blanks
2004 49.19%
2006 41.60%
2008 14.57%
2010 6.68%
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Vehicle Configuration (2004-2010)Increase in Busses and smaller Trucks
Good News: Reduced Blanks and improved coding
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Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) Rates
VIN Rates 2004 2010Collection 82% 98%Length 76% 95%Valid2 59% 87%
Collection Rate
The rate at which the field is filled with something other than blank.
Length Rate The rate at which the field has the expected length (17).1
Valid Rate The rate at which the field has the expected checksum value.2
1 Pre-1981 Vehicles had a length less than 172 Only 17 character VINs can be tested for validation
Good News
Significant increase in VIN rates and quality
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Train-the-Officer / Train-the-Trainer
• State and Local Law Enforcement Officers Who Complete the Crash Report
•State personnel working with the SAFTEYNET crash data
• Commercial Motor Vehicle Enforcement Officers and Trainers
• State Crash Data Base System Developers
• Academy Trainers
FMCSA Crash Data Collection Training
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• Lesson 1: What is a Reportable Crash?Overview of the selection process and identification of qualifying commercial and non-commercial vehicles; Provides detailed guidance on the relevant sections specific to the State’s crash report form.
Course Outline
Qualifying Vehicle for
Upload
Weight>10,000 lbs.
GVWR or GCWR
PassengerCapacity
9+ including driver
HazardousMaterialsPlacard
Fatality
InjuryTaken forTreatment
Tow AwayWith Disabling
Damage
Vehicle Crash
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Training Class – Qualifying Vehicles
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Smaller BussesTraining Class – Qualifying Vehicles
Hotel Van
Small Buses Seats for 9-15
City Transit
Government owned trucks
and buses
Airport Shuttle
Highway Maintenance
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Yes, a “Bus” ConfigurationTraining Class – Qualifying Vehicles
Limo: Configuration = Bus
A rented or leased truck used to transport either commercial or personalgoods (Ryder, U-Haul, Budget, etc.)(Other Non-commercial)
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CHP 555D Supplement Fields
Not In-Commerce – Government : This selection is used for any government vehicle whether it is operated by the local, state, or federal government.
Not In-Commerce – Other Trucks: This selection is used for rental vehicles (e.g. - Uhaul, Ryder, Penske) that qualify by size (Over 10,000 lbs. GVWR/ GCWR) that are rented and operated by a private individual.
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Single Unit Trucks (2 axles, 6 tires)Training Class – Qualifying Vehicles
Commercial truck/trailers greater than 10,000 GCWR
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If a vehicle is driven from the scene with damage determined to be minor or functional after being assisted by a tow truck (e.g. being pulled out of ditch), it is not considered to be towed due to disabling damage in the crash.
Assistance vs. TowingCommon Questions: Crash Severity
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• Lesson 2: How to identify the appropriate Motor Carrier & Record the Correct CDL InfoStep-by-step approach to identify the motor carrier and record carrier information on the state’s crash report and a review of commercial driver’s license (CDL) data collection.Includes hands-on work with short case studies to reinforce proper recording of accurate data.
Course Outline
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• Lesson 3: Gross Vehicle Weight Rating/Gross Combined Weight Rating, Configuration & Cargo BodyDetailed examination of GVWR & GCWR including real-world photos with relevant State-specific coding used to exhibit both typical and unusual vehicle configurations & body types.
Course Outline
Dump Van/Enclosed Box
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• Lesson 4: Recording Hazardous MaterialsReview classes of HazMat, placard requirements and quantity reporting procedures; how to locate and record the proper information for your State crash report form.
• Lesson 5: Crash Events: Harmful Events and Sequence of EventsReporting of non-collision crashes (e.g. vehicle fires). Photos used to illustrate collisions with fixed objects. Includes short case-studies & hands-on exercises are used to clarify definition of & coding for collision and non-collision crashes.
Course Outline
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Field Visor Cards
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http://ai.volpe.dot.gov/DataQuality/CrashCollectionTraining/index.html
Crash Collection Resource Online
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Data Extraction assistance for reportable Cases
►Assisting states to identify reportable records.
7600
Cases Found
1500
1000
3500
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Data Extraction assistance for reportable Cases
►In 2010 assisted: FL, OH, AL, RI, MS, NC, CO, OK to try to assess and find missing records.
►Also in 2010 performed a study of MCMIS Fatal Record compatibility to NHTSA FARS program, almost 300 fatals were found missing in the MCMIS file.
►Contact was made to the top 10 states and in most cases, the fatals should have been uploaded and the corrections were made.
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New Data Import Standard: XML
► Working with the states over the last several years to convert to XML for SAFETYNET data imports.
2010: GA, NJ, AL, DC, RI, MA, OH
FMCSA can provide: ► Help files including the XML Schema and
samples
► Crosswalk table from ASCII to XML
► Review and testing
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1. Rationale
2. Attributes
3. Coding Guidelines
4. Edit Checks
SAFETYNET Manual
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Rationale and Attributes
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Coding Guidelines
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Edit Checks
Edit logic matches manual instruction:IF it has been identified as a “big” truck in Configuration THEN it should be a “big” truck by GVWR/GCWR.
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A Closer look at the Edit Check
GVWR
ID Vehicle Configuration Total Blank 1 2 3
BLANK 485 289 7 99 90
1 PASSENGER HM PLACARD) 1 1 0 0 0
2 LIGHT TRUCK (HM PLACARD) 32 11 13 8
3 BUS (SEATS FOR 9-15 PEOPLE) 2309 39 346 1121 803
4 BUS (SEATS FOR > 15 PEOPLE) 11073 143 683 2941 7306
5 SINGLE-UNIT TRUCK (2-AXLE, 6 TIRE) 20716 71 271 13837 6537
6 SINGLE-UNIT TRUCK (3 OR MORE AXLES) 13807 63 38 1778 11928
7 TRUCK/TRAILER 13065 84 205 1954 10822
8 TRUCK TRACTOR (BOBTAIL) 3836 27 34 548 3227
9 TRACTOR/SEMI-TRAILER 57329 419 140 2614 54156
10 TRACTOR/DOUBLE 3158 21 2 118 3017
11 TRACTOR/TRIPLES 101 1 1 6 93
99 UNKNOWN HEAVY TRUCK 5620 180 271 2555 2614
10k
or le
ss
10-2
6k lb
s.
>26k
lbs.
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VIN Decoding: GVWR = 1: Small vehicles. If pulling a trailer and a business vehicle then these should be coded as: Truck/Trailer and as a GCWR of 2 (10-26k lbs.)
GVWR = 2: If these are not pulling a trailer:
Then these should be coded as: Single Unit Truck, 2 axle 6 tires.
GVWR = 2: If these are pulling a trailer:
Then these should be coded as: Truck/Trailer
SINGLE-UNIT TRUCK (3 OR MORE AXLES) w/ GVWR = 1
GVWR VIN MAKER MODEL
1 JTEBU14R330012963 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER
1 2FMDA5143VBD11503 FORD WINDSTAR MINI-WAGON
1 2FTJW35M1KCB40862 FORD F350 4X2 PICKUP
2 1FTWW31506ED75662 FORD F350 4X2 PICKUP
2 1GBE5C1296F425655 CHEVROLET C5500 4X2 CONVENTIONAL
2 1FVACWDT48HZ48566 FREIGHTLINER 4X2 TRUCK M2 106 CONVENTIONAL
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SINGLE-UNIT TRUCK (3 OR MORE AXLES) w/ GVWR = 1
GVWR VIN MAKER MODEL
3 1FVACYDC97HY22827 FREIGHTLINER 4X2 TRUCK M2 106 CONVENTIONAL
3 1GDM7H1C6YJ519642 GMC C7500 4X2 KODIAK
3 1M2AD62C61M011982 MACK 6X4 CL600 TRUCK CONV.
3 2NKMLD9X77M198863 KENWORTH 6X4 TRUCK T300 CONVENTIONAL
3 1HSHBAHNXVH464173 INTERNATIONAL 4X2 CONV,TRAC, HEAVY
3 1FUJA6BG12LK02564 FREIGHTLINER 6X4 TRACTOR COLUMBIA 120
3 1M2P267Y23M060037 MACK 6X4 RB600 TRUCK TRACTOR CONV.
VIN Decoding: All of these should be GVWR=3
Those coded as 4x2 Truck should be coded as: Single Unit Truck 2 axle > 10k GVWR. If pulling a trailer, then coded as “Truck / Trailer”
The 6x4 “trucks” are the correct Configuration if no trailer, wrong GVWR.
If a Truck / Tractor then code as Tractor (bobtail). If pulling a trailer than code as a Tractor / Semi-trailer (or double or triple).
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CMV ID: VIN DecoderVIN Decoding
• CMV_ID – Example to be shown• Mobile CMV_ID – simpler interface for mobile
devices• Batch processing of VINs
- Review Inspection VINs- Research state databases for FMCSA qualifying
vehicles- Support the University of Michigan Transportation
Institute (UMTRI) reports on state reporting levels of qualifying vehicles
Supporting the FMCSA in crash data collection for the SAFETYNET Crash Module
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CMV ID: VIN DecoderVIN Decoding
http://www.nisrinc.com/cmv_id/cmv_id.asp
• Pickups, Vans, SUVs• Busses• Single Unit Trucks• Tractors (power units)• Trailers
• Make, Model and Year• Axles• Vehicle Type• Maker GVWR range• SNET Configuration and
GVWR Codes
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CMV ID: VIN DecoderVIN Decoding
CMV_ID:• Single entry of VIN• Validation of check digit: Valid or Invalid• Validation will color code a section if error is found• Search what maker WMIs are in the database• Option to return sample pictures
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CMV ID: VIN DecoderVIN Decoding
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CMV ID: VIN DecoderVIN Decoding
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CMV_ID Vin Decoder for SAFETYNET Codes
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State Crash Report Form Analysis
►Analyzed ALL current State Crash Reports and Truck/Bus Supplements with all elements maintained in the SAFETYNET Crash Module and alignment with MMUCC.
► Providing suggestions for revisions to improve the collection of SAFETYNET crash data
► For those states that are currently revising their report/supplement, provide assistance in the form of a detailed comparison chart as well written recommendations
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State Crash Report Form Analysis• Evaluate with Red, Yellow, Green rating system• Initial ratings and revised ratings to see history• Electronic forms rated as well• Comments on the element
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Cooperative Efforts
►Worked with VA DMV and VSP to identify qualifying truck and bus crashes in 2005, 2006, 2007.
►Analyzed extraction logic and conversion methods in State system and imports for SAFETYNET.
►Utilized VIN Decoding to assist in identifying federally reportable crashes as well as providing vehicle GVWR to those records missing the element.
►Advised on their new crash form modifications and compliance to FMCSA and MMUCC.
VIRGINIA
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Cooperative Efforts
►Worked with CHP on revisions to the CHP Collision Investigation Manual and CHP 555D Truck/Bus Supplemental form.
►Developed a custom training class.
►The class has reached 591 officers in California in CHP and allied agencies.
►2010 has more classes scheduled which NISR is assisting with.
CALIFORNIA
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Cooperative Efforts
►Worked with Oklahoma on updates to their Traffic Collision Report and matching revisions to the Instruction Manual and developed a custom training class.
►Oklahoma DPS incorporated the class materials into the state-wide training on the new report form.
►Assisted DPS with developing the extraction logic to pass data from the state system to SAFETYNET.
►2010 : Reviewed the state database and found officer coding is causing some issues for the extraction logic to properly find some records. VIN lookup tables were provided to identify qualifying vehicles that the extraction logic could not.
OKLAHOMA
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Cooperative Efforts
►Worked University of Alabama to review their e-Crash data collection software. Advised on triggers and business rules to better qualify the reportable vehicles to the FMCSA.
►2010: Review of the state database and identified missing records. VIN lookup tables were provided to identify qualifying vehicles that the extraction logic could not.
►2010: Assisting in the development of the XML and testing.
ALABAMA
U.S. Department of Transportation
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
Questions?
End of Session
John McDonoughNISR, Inc.