Agency Authorized to Create Countywide Collision Data System

The Board of Supervisors Tuesday authorized the Riverside County Department of Transportation to implement a countywide collision data collection system, accessible to area cities, to make roads throughout the region safer.

The Department of Transportation was awarded a $340,000 federal grant, disbursed by the California Office of Traffic Safety, to upgrade its Geographic Information System.

According to transportation officials, the system will now be converted into a real-time data cruncher that identifies problem spots on roads and intersections anywhere in the county -- except for state highways.

The agency’s current system focuses only on roads in unincorporated communities.

“The county requires traffic collision records on a timelier basis and, in addition, needs to have data accessible in a regional system,” officials wrote in documents posted to the board’s policy agenda.

“Having access to timely data provides the Department of Transportation the ability to make informed decisions in directing resources for traffic safety improvements. We can more effectively prioritize projects and budgets and be proactive in implementing safety improvements that will reduce fatalities, injuries and property damage.”

One of the key features of the upgraded Geographic Information System will be its availability to area municipalities, whose authorities will be able to coordinate with the county in making improvements to “shared” roads and intersections.

Collision reports collected from law enforcement and other agencies will be uploaded and processed as quickly as they can be obtained, transportation officials said, adding that the goal will be to have a report entered into the GIS no later than 60 days after it’s filed. Along with proprietary software, the system will utilize Google Earth for mapping collision locations.

The county will provide training for users from cities signed on to access the system. Program development is expected to be completed by September.

– City News Service.

(Image via Shutterstock)