FHWA MIRE Management Information System (MIS)

Nancy Lefler, VHB August 30, 2012

Overview • Background• Purpose• Overview of Activities– Data Collection– Structure of MIS– Performance Measures

• Results/Products • Questions

Project Team • Prime – Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. (VHB)

• Supported by – Applied Research Associates (ARA), Data-Nexus, Inc.,

UNC-Highway Safety Research Center, Dr. Forrest Council

• FHWA – Robert Pollack and Dr. Carol Tan

Background

Background – MIRE • MIRE – Model Inventory of Roadway Elements • Listing of roadway and traffic elements critical to

safety management• Data dictionary – definition, attributes, etc.

www.mireinfo.org

Next Step – MIRE MIS • Evolution of MIRE from listing to Management

Information System (MIRE MIS)

Purpose• Determine feasibility of MIRE data management

system:– Mechanisms for data collection– Process for data handling and storage– Linkage among files– Performance metrics

• Provide lessons learned/guidance for safety data improvement

Overview of Project Activities

Collection of data elements

Development and testing of MIS structure

Development/expansion of performance measures

Collection

Collection of MIRE Data Elements Research: current practices and gap analysis Lead Agency Program: pilot MIRE data collection“Collective Data” concept MIRE Data Collection Guidebook

Lead Agency Program• Pilot MIRE data collection• New Hampshire DOT and Washington State DOT • Developed an intersection inventory

Data Collection Process1. Determine what elements

to collect2. Develop detailed Work Plan3. Develop data collection tool – Model to extract and pre-

populate– User interface

4. Populate inventory5. Conduct QA/QC

Data Collection

Data Collection: Results/Products

• Intersection inventory for NHDOT and WSDOT

• Final Report: Document development of tool and lessons learned

Collective Data Concept • Assembling data or collecting

information using a large group of people (think Wikipedia)

• Agencies putting concept into practice• Explore how this concept can apply to

collecting roadway information • Result: Collective Data White Paper

MIRE Data Collection Guidebook • Guidance on collecting the MIRE elements.• Focus on elements that do not have established

collection methodologies.• Includes for each element: – Description– Accuracy parameters– Considerations– Existing resources – Methodologies– Concerns

Structure

MIS Structure

• Develop overall structure • Develop of prototype • Test prototype • Refine structure

Structure of the MIRE MIS • Decision support system to improve highway

safety• Developed using relational database model• Integrate data from disparate sources for higher

level analysis

Lessons Learned• Data quality matters! • Using MIRE as guidance - States build system

around their own data structure• GIS is an essential part of the MIRE MIS -

consistent referencing system for data points

Performance Measures

Performance Measures • Tools for measuring data quality and establishing

goals for data improvement • Six primary metrics: – Timeliness– Accuracy– Completeness– Uniformity– Integration– Accessibility

Roadway Inventory Metrics• NHTSA developed initial performance measures

for the six core traffic safety data systems• Built/expanded on those metrics• Detailed review of metrics proposed for roadway

data• Metric related business practices – how to use

metrics to improve data • Result: Performance Measures Report

Results/Products

Summary of Project Activities/Products • Collection of MIRE data elements:– Collection Mechanisms and Gap Analysis Report – MIRE Pilot Data Collection Report – Intersection inventory datasets for NHDOT & WSDOT – Collective Data White Paper – MIRE Data Collection Guidebook

• Development and testing of MIS structure:– Prototype for pilot agency – Report on structure and lessons learned

• Performance Measures:– Performance Measures Report

Summary • MIRE MIS – how to collect, integrate, manage,

and measure data for improved safety decisions • State and local agencies can realize benefits

• Products available on website: www.mireinfo.org

Thank you!

VHB Contact• Nancy Lefler, nlefler@vhb.comFHWA Contacts • Robert Pollack, Robert.Pollack@dot.gov• Dr. Carol Tan, Carol.Tan@dot.gov

Questions