Technology Development Group Recognized for Crash Location System

Tech's Technology Development Group Recognized for Crash Location System

The Technology Development Group in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering was recently recognized by Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) Director Gloria J. Jeff for their work on the Michigan Crash Location System. The system was designed and programmed by Gary Schlaff, senior software engineer and TDG IT development manager.

Jeff thanked the group for “…developing a new highway crash locating system [that will] ultimately help all road agencies improve highway safety.” Jeff goes on to congratulate the TDG for “demonstrating exceptional flexibility, commitment, and professionalism to not only meeting project objectives, but exceeding them while delivering exceptional service.”

The MCLS system maps traffic crashes to the linear road reference of all streets and roads in the state as well as the statewide Framework GIS map. “This is one of those projects that sound simple when you first hear about it,” said Terry McNinch, LTAP/TDG director. “But implementation is an entirely different story.”

Every traffic accident that occurs on a public roadway in Michigan is recorded by a law enforcement officer on the UD-10 form--the form you provide to your insurance company when you file a claim. The difficulty in determining the geographic location of any given crash is rooted in the condition of the data supplied. The forms are filled out by hand, often in sub-zero weather, under the dome light, on the side of the road, etc. Then consider how many instances of Main Street, First Street and 1st Street occur throughout the state. “When you multiply the data errors by 400,000 accidents per year you end up with a data set that looks like a bowl of spaghetti,” says Schlaff. This complexity required an algorithm that could deal with many of the most common data inaccuracies.

The crash data is collected by the MSP and distributed once each year by the TDG to counties, cities and villages. These agencies use RoadSoft (also developed by the TDG) to conduct traffic engineering analyses and for planning road safety improvements.

Dale Lighthizer, PhD, P.E., supervising engineer of Safety Programs, Standards and Technical Services in MDOT’s Traffic and Safety Division, formally thanked McNinch and Schlaff during the October meeting of the Civil Engineering Professional Advisory Committee (CEPAC). “You exceeded expectations while adapting to changing requirements, and you did it all within the original budget,” Lighthizer explained. “You all did an outstanding job and were terrific to work with.”

To demonstrate his appreciation, Lighthizer presented the TDG with a wall plaque containing a photo from the top of the Mackinac Bridge and the original signed letter from Jeff. The plaque is on display in the Dillman Hall lobby.

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