CTS model
Explanation
Explanation refers to understanding the nature and extent of transportation safety problems. Examples include;
- evaluating motor-vehicle crashes to identify primary crash characteristics,
- reviewing and analyzing crash and other data to identify primary crash factors and outcomes, and
- conducting surveys to assess attitudes and opinions about driving and safety that may impact risk-taking behaviors.
Understanding the underlying factors associated with and contributing to motor-vehicle crashes is important as it allows critical resources to be focused on those interventions that will maximize benefits.
Evaluation
To verify interventions had the intended positive impact on transportation safety, which also ensures an appropriate use of resources, it is necessary to conduct systematic and rigorous evaluations.
CTS employs a wide range of evaluation methods including;
- surveys of driver perceptions and attitudes,
- observational analysis,
- crash data analysis, and
- examination of naturalistic driving data.
Critically, CTS uses the evaluation results to modify the interventions to further maximize their benefits to transportation safety.
Intervention
Intervention refers to a broad range of countermeasures that are developed and implemented to improve specific aspects of transportation safety. The interventions often focus on education and outreach campaigns, but also include the development of new technologies and engineering approaches.
Countermeasures may include;
- tools to help engineers identify and implement roadway design features that improve transportation safety,
- the development and distribution of information campaigns to inform young drivers of risky and appropriate behaviors, and
- the development of technology to inform drivers when their stress levels are too high and may heighten crash risk.
dual roles
The Center for Transportation Safety receives funding from the state of Texas with the specific scope of conducting programs of research, education, and technology transfer to support the state’s role in improving the safety of the roadways in Texas. State of Texas funding is used exclusively to support Texas-based activities to improve transportation safety.
Examples include:
- CTS funds the conduct of projects that examine current data to identify prominent transportation safety issues in Texas and disseminates this information to stakeholders.
- CTS works with partners such as the Texas Department of Transportation, Metropolitan Planning Organizations, and Permian Road Safety Coalition to improve transportation safety.
Staff within the Center for Transportation Safety also conduct education, outreach, and research activities with additional state, federal, and private agencies and stakeholders. This work primarily supports some Texas stakeholders (e.g., TDLR, DSHS) and many non-Texas stakeholders (e.g., NHTSA, FHWA, FMCSA), but the benefits of this work are applicable to Texas as well. These activities are supported through a traditional contracting model and not supported by state funds.
Examples include:
- Examining the effectiveness of advanced vehicle technologies to support safe driver behaviors.
- Conducting research to identify what driver education and training protocols are most associated with reduced crashes.
- Conducting education and outreach with state-level department of transportation engineers to implement best practices in roadway design.
- Assisting TxDOT districts and safety stakeholders with the identification of high risk routes and selecting appropriate countermeasures to save lives.