Title page for ETD etd-11142004-165118

Type of Document

Thesis

Author

Mantena, Sitaramaraju

URN

etd-11142004-165118

Title

Computerization and Automation of Affordable Traffic Data Collection System for the State of Florida

Degree

Master of Science

Department

Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, Department of

Advisory Committee

Advisor Name	Title
Lisa K. Spainhour	Committee Chair
Yaw A. Owusu	Committee Chair
Joseph J. Pignatiello, Jr.	Committee Member
Okenwa I. Okoli	Committee Member

Keywords

Tracs
Traffic Data
Data Collection System
Automation
Computerization
Law Enforcement Automation

Date of Defense

2004-11-03

Availability

unrestricted

Abstract

The Florida Department of Transportation has initiated and funded development of electronic crash and citation reporting in Florida using the TraCS (Traffic and Criminal Software) platform. The TraCS system is application software that is a customizable data collection system that can be used by law enforcement and motor vehicle agencies to collect crash data. TraCS is combined with laptop computers, one or more personal computers (PC) in a central office. Peripherals such as image/bar code scanners and mobile printers, and data communications are in conjunction with TraCS to provide officers with all of the functionality needed to record and retrieve incident information wherever and whenever an incident occurs.

The thesis objectives were to perform time study analysis and to investigate costs of current and proposed (TraCS-based) methods. The TraCS software was developed, and in the summer of 2003; seven Florida law enforcement agencies were selected to pilot and test electronic crash and citation reporting. The agencies were provided with required equipment and training to use TraCS software. The ride-alongs were performed with Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and Leon County Sheriff’s Office (two of the pilot agencies). During the ride-alongs, the time taken to complete forms both with and without TraCS software was measured and the data analysis was performed. The study shows that the efficiency and accuracy of Florida traffic records was improved by using the electronic data collection system (TraCS). Data analysis showed that it takes less time to fill a crash report using TraCS compared to filling out a crash report manually on a paper form. On an average for the two vehicle crashes the time saved by using TraCS software to fill long form, short form, and driver exchange form were 11.7%, 11.3% and 8.3%, respectively. The time to fill a citation form using TraCS software was reduced by 13.6% from the time without TraCS. The software had best application when used in conjunction with the magnetic stripe reader for Florida driver license. The efficiency of officer’s using TraCS differs based on the learning curve, equipment provided, and mindset of an officer. After suitable training the time taken to complete a report should decrease even further.

Files

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