Transportation Expertise

Geographic Information Systems

Geographic information systems (GIS) is a set of tools for capturing, displaying, and analyzing spatially-located data. GIS tools can be used to construct enriched datasets that relate spatial data, such as inventories of roadways, into a crash file to provide new perspectives on old questions and to allow new questions to be asked. Identification of high-risk locations can allow motor carriers to improve route selection and avoid roadways with specific risks. Relating certain crash types to specific roadway features can shed light on the effect of roadway design. Relating crashes to specific intersections can be used to reduce hazards. Experience with GIS crash location can be applied to other studies related to identification of trafficways with a high number of crashes.