Module 1-51

Science-Based Road Safety Research

Describe and value science-based road safety research Describe and value science-based road safety research and its application as fundamental to achieving further and its application as fundamental to achieving further improvements in road safety.improvements in road safety.

Module 1-52

Major Topics

Traditional Methods

Engineering and Public Health Science-based Methods

Quality Data and Data Systems

Data Driven Approaches to Road Safety

The Importance of Professional Support for Science-based Approaches

Module 1-53

Safety Research Goal

The goal of safety research is to illuminate ways to reduce the negative externalities associated with motor vehicle related crashes such as fatalities, injuries, property damage, and congestion.

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Module 1-54

Methods of Decision Making

Expert OpinionExpert Opinion

Conventional WisdomConventional Wisdom

Collective ExperienceCollective Experience

Scientific MethodScientific Method

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Module 1-55

Weaknesses of Other Methods

Crashes Vary RandomlyCrashes Vary Randomly

Hunches are Often IncorrectHunches are Often Incorrect

Inability to Process DataInability to Process Data

Counter-productive RecommendationsCounter-productive Recommendations

Module 1-56

Weaknesses of Traditional Methods

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Module 1-57

Weaknesses of Traditional Methods

Mad Cow disease 0

Avian Flu 0

All other deaths 8,364

Homicide 17,732

Suicide 31,484

Common flu 36,000

Auto accidents 44,000

Other accidents 65,277

Diabetes 74,219

Lower-respiratory 126,382

Stroke 157,689

Cancer 556,902

Other diseases 645,150

Heart disease 685,089

685,089

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Module 1-58

Why Science?

In short, the justification for basic research in all fields lies in the knowledge-generating utility of scientific discoveries and in the well-founded anticipation—but not guarantee—that some of those discoveries will in the long run prove to be of great practical benefit.

Module 1-59

Five Characteristics of Science

1.1. Public ScrutinyPublic Scrutiny

2.2. Willing to Do without AnswersWilling to Do without Answers

3.3. Doubt Is Unpleasant; Certainty Is AbsurdDoubt Is Unpleasant; Certainty Is Absurd

4.4. Willing to Question the ObviousWilling to Question the Obvious

5.5. Ability to Test among Competing AnswersAbility to Test among Competing Answers

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Module 1-510

Steps in the Scientific Process

1.1. Review the Literature.Review the Literature.

2.2. Postulate Relationships or Theories.Postulate Relationships or Theories.

3.3. Generate Testable Research Hypotheses.Generate Testable Research Hypotheses.

4.4. Design a Study.Design a Study.

5.5. Collect Data.Collect Data.

6.6. Apply Appropriate Statistical Methods and/or Models.Apply Appropriate Statistical Methods and/or Models.

7.7. Correctly Interpret Results.Correctly Interpret Results.

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Module 1-511

Observational Study Limitation

Lack of ExperimentsLack of Experiments

Weaknesses in Observational StudiesWeaknesses in Observational Studies

• Occupant protectionOccupant protection

• Non-crashesNon-crashes

• SpeedingSpeeding

• Commercial vehiclesCommercial vehicles

Module 1-512

Data Quality and Limitations

The government is very keen on amassing statistics – they collect them, add them, raise them to the nth power take the cube root and prepare wonderful diagrams. But what you must never forget is that every one of those figures in the first instance comes from the village watchman, who just puts down what he damn well pleases.

Sir Josiah Stamp (1929)Traffic Safety and Human Behavior, David Shinar

Module 1-513

Applied TechnologiesReporting Crashes

Responding to Crashes

Collecting Victim and Crash Information

Managing and Storing Crash Information

Linking Crash Records with Hospital Records

Analyzing Crashes

Disseminating Crash Information to Stakeholder Agencies

Educating Safety Professionals

Module 1-514

Data Driven Success Think about it

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Module 1-515

Prerequisites for Safety Support

MissionMission

ChampionsChampions

ResourcesResources

Module 1-516

Review

Traditional Methods

Engineering and Public Health Science-based Methods

Quality Data and Data Systems

Data Driven Approaches to Road Safety

The Importance of Professional Support for Science-based Approaches