Comprehensive Traffic Collision Dataset Proposal for Montgomery County, MD

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Introduction

Montgomery County, Maryland, has long been at the forefront of promoting the safety of roadway users, with an emphasis on protecting vulnerable non-motorists such as pedestrians and cyclists. In pursuit of this objective, the county has been actively collecting and publicly sharing detailed data on traffic collisions. Among the significant contributions to these efforts is the "Crash Reporting - Non-Motorists Data," a dataset specifically focused on incidents involving non-motorists.

This dataset is derived from the Automated Crash Reporting System (ACRS), overseen by the Maryland State Police. It is bolstered by the inclusion of reports from local law enforcement agencies, namely the Montgomery County Police, Gaithersburg Police, Rockville Police, and the Maryland-National Capital Park Police. These reports compile a detailed picture of each collision involving non-motorists and the specific conditions and contexts of these events.

It is imperative to recognize that the data within this dataset represents initial findings from preliminary reports to the Police Department by those directly involved in or witnesses to the collision. Consequently, the dataset includes:

Information Not Yet Verified: Data entries that are awaiting further investigation for confirmation.
Mixed Verification Status: A dataset that contains a mix of verified and unverified data regarding the collisions.
Preliminary Classifications: Early assessments of collision events, which may be subject to alterations based on the outcomes of thorough investigations.
Potential Errors: Instances of reporting that may possess mechanical inaccuracies or human errors, which are expected to be rectified once the verification process has been completed.

The commitment of Montgomery County to the safety of non-motorists is evident in the meticulous collection and dissemination of this data, reflecting a transparent and proactive approach to enhancing road safety for all.

Executive Summary

Within Montgomery County, Maryland, a variety of datasets detailing traffic collisions are available, yet they exist as separate entities. Our proposal aims to integrate the following datasets into a single comprehensive traffic collision dataset:

Crash Reporting - Drivers Data
Crash Reporting - Incidents Data: URL
Crash Reporting - Non-Motorists Data: URL

This integration will allow for a holistic examination of traffic collisions, combining driver information, incident specifics, and non-motorist data, to foster a deeper understanding and enhance traffic safety analysis within the county.

Datasets to be Integrated:

Crash Reporting - Drivers Data: This dataset contains detailed information about the drivers involved in traffic collisions, including demographics, driving behavior, and vehicle information.
Crash Reporting - Incidents Data: The incidents dataset provides a broader perspective on each collision, encompassing data points such as the time, location, and conditions under which the incident occurred.
Crash Reporting - Non-Motorists Data: Information regarding pedestrians, cyclists, and any other non-motorist parties involved in traffic collisions is captured in this dataset. It is crucial for understanding the risks and outcomes for these vulnerable road users.

By amalgamating these datasets, we will create a more robust and interconnected data resource that will empower stakeholders to:

Gain a 360-degree view of the factors contributing to traffic collisions.
Identify high-risk areas and demographics that may benefit from targeted interventions.
Drive data-informed policy decisions aimed at enhancing road safety.
Facilitate easier access to data for public use, fostering transparency and community engagement.

The integration process will involve the following steps:

Data Acquisition: Securely obtain the most recent and historical data from the provided URLs and any other relevant sources.
Data Cleaning and Standardization: Ensure consistency across datasets by standardizing data formats, resolving discrepancies, and cleaning any inaccuracies or incomplete records.
Data Integration: Utilize key identifiers (such as report numbers or dates) to merge datasets into a single, cohesive structure while maintaining data integrity.
Quality Assurance: Conduct thorough testing to ensure the reliability of the integrated dataset.

Our approach promises to lay the groundwork for a data-driven strategy to reduce traffic collisions and enhance road safety in Montgomery County. We anticipate that this integrated dataset will not only serve immediate analytical needs but also establish a scalable framework for future data integration efforts.

Analysis Goals

Number of incidents over time: This will plot a bar chart showing the number of incidents per year. This can help identify if there is an increasing or decreasing trend in traffic collisions.
Correlation between weather conditions and number of accidents: This will display a bar chart that shows the frequency of incidents under different weather conditions.
Most dangerous roads: This will identifythe top 10 roads with the most incidents and display them in a bar chart.
Demographic analysis: This will involve pie charts or bar charts showing the distribution of incidents among different demographic groups, such as age and gender.
Time analysis: This will include line graphs or heat maps to demonstrate the times of day or days of the week when collisions are most frequent.
Type of collision and non-motorist involvement: This will show pie charts or bar charts that break down the types of collisions and the extent to which non-motorists are involved.

Conclusion

The proposed integration and analysis of Montgomery County's traffic collision datasets will provide a comprehensive understanding of the factors leading to traffic incidents and the impact they have on the community. By bringing together datasets that cover drivers, incidents, and non-motorists, we can achieve a multi-faceted view of road safety issues. This initiative will not only serve the immediate needs of traffic safety analysis but will also promote the development of more informed and effective traffic management strategies, potentially saving lives and reducing injuries on Montgomery County's roadways.

Next Steps

Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate with county officials, local law enforcement, and community organizations to align the project's objectives with public safety goals.
Technical Development: Assemble a team with expertise in data science and software engineering to handle the technical aspects of data integration and analysis.
Public Outreach: Develop a communication plan to inform the public about the initiative and the availability of the integrated dataset for community use.

By undertaking these steps, Montgomery County can continue to be a leader in using data to enhance road safety and protect its citizens.

Dataset Card for Montgomery County Traffic Collisions

Dataset Description

General Information

Purpose: This dataset is designed to provide comprehensive information on traffic collisions to facilitate analysis and policy-making for improved road safety in Montgomery County, Maryland.
Data Structure: The dataset is structured with a collection of attributes that are critical for a detailed understanding of each collision event.

Data Attributes

Report Number: A unique identifier for each collision report.
Local Case Number: Secondary identifier used by local agencies for tracking incidents.
Agency Name: The law enforcement agency that reported the collision.
ACRS Report Type: The type of report filed, categorizing the crash event.
Crash Date/Time: Timestamp of when the collision occurred.
Route Type: Classification of the road where the collision happened (e.g., Interstate, State Highway).
Road Name: Name of the road involved in the collision.
Cross-Street Type: Classification of the cross-street (if applicable).
Cross-Street Name: Name of the intersecting street.
Off-Road Description: Description for collisions that occurred off the main road.
Municipality: The city or town where the collision occurred.
Related Non-Motorist: Information on whether non-motorists were involved.
Collision Type: Describes the nature of the collision (e.g., head-on, rear-end).
Weather: Weather conditions at the time of the collision.
Surface Condition: Condition of the road surface (e.g., dry, wet, icy).
Light: Level of visibility based on lighting conditions.
Traffic Control: Indicates the presence and type of traffic control at the collision location.
Driver Substance Abuse: Information on whether substance abuse by the driver was a factor.
Non-Motorist Substance Abuse: Information on whether substance abuse by non-motorists was a factor.
Person ID: An identifier for individuals involved while maintaining privacy.
Pedestrian Type: Categorizes the type of non-motorist (e.g., pedestrian, cyclist).
Pedestrian Movement: Describes the movement of the pedestrian prior to collision.
Pedestrian Actions: Specific actions the pedestrian was engaged in.
Pedestrian Location: Specifies where the pedestrian was located (e.g., crosswalk, sidewalk).
Pedestrian Obeyed Traffic Signal: Indicates if the pedestrian followed traffic signals.
Pedestrian Visibility: Notes on the visibility of the pedestrian.
At Fault: Notes on which party was at fault in the collision.
Injury Severity: Details the severity of any injuries incurred.
Safety Equipment: Information on safety equipment used (e.g., seat belts, helmets).
Latitude and Longitude: Geographic coordinates of the collision.
Location: A textual representation of the location, usually an address.

Dataset Example

Report Number: 123456789
Local Case Number: MCP123456
Agency Name: Montgomery County Police
ACRS Report Type: Fatal Crash
Crash Date/Time: 01/01/2024 17:45
Route Type: County Road
Road Name: Piney Branch Rd
Cross-Street Type: County Road
Cross-Street Name: Flower Ave
Off-Road Description: Near Intersection
Municipality: Silver Spring
Related Non-Motorist: Pedestrian
Collision Type: Pedestrian
Weather: Clear
Surface Condition: Dry
Light: Dusk
Traffic Control: Traffic Signal
Driver Substance Abuse: None Detected
Non-Motorist Substance Abuse: None Detected
Person ID: P1234567
Pedestrian Type: Adult
Pedestrian Movement: Crossing in Crosswalk
Pedestrian Actions: Walking
Pedestrian Location: In Crosswalk
Pedestrian Obeyed Traffic Signal: Yes
Pedestrian Visibility: High Visibility Clothing
At Fault: Driver
Injury Severity: Fatal Injury
Safety Equipment: None
Latitude and Longitude: 38.997564, -77.027755
Location: Piney Branch Rd & Flower Ave, Silver Spring, MD