1. Pedestrian Injury Data: Sources and Considerations Ann Glusker Public Health-Seattle & King County June 16, 2009 What is this graphic? It displays bits! Bit stands for “binary digit”, which has a value of either "1" or "0”. Binary digits are a basic unit of data storage and communication.

2. Two views: What our current data tell us Crash data— Information about the crash event (e.g. pedestrians involved, vehicles involved, location, conditions) Medical/Vital Statistics Data— Information about the individual (e.g. nature and severity of injury, where they live) Slide from “Medical and Public Health Pedestrian Injury Data”, Roger B. Trent and Lynn Walton-Hayes, June 2009

3. Crash Data… Collision Data: WSDOT, compiled from police reports Location Date and time Severity Weather, light, environmental conditions Restraint use, sobriety, other behavioral factors Available for all roads FARS Data (Fatality Analysis Reporting System): WTSC, national data set Collision data information PLUS: State vehicle registration and driver license information State Highway Department information Vital Statistics, Death Certificates, Medical Examiner records Hospital records and EMS data See handout for additional information

4. Medical Data… Depending on severity, up to four medical records for each person injured: Crash EMS response ED Treat and Release Inpatient Care Medical Examiner Slide from “Medical and Public Health Pedestrian Injury Data”, Roger B. Trent and Lynn Walton-Hayes, June 2009 Severity

5. Medical Data (cont.)… Crash data= police report EMS response data= run report Emergency Department data= ED care report Hospitalization data= Discharge report (CHARS data) Death data= Medical Examiner’s reports, and death certificates

6. Data considerations: Consistency and coverage of reports Location data: jurisdiction, geocoding Residence vs. occurrence: how to get a rate? Small geographic areas/ small numbers The role of “hot spots” The power of numbers vs. the power of anecdote

7. Recommendations: KNOW YOUR QUESTION If it’s general, may use online resources If it’s specific, consult an expert (data request) Combine data sources Use alternate data sources to get the big picture Consider primary data collection Network with other professionals Look at what others have published A word about maps…

8. Thanks to: Dick Doane; Washington State Traffic Safety Commission Geneva Hawkins; Washington State Department of Transportation Jennifer Sabel and Dick Hoskins; Washington State Department of Health Roger Trent; California Department of Public Health Deanne Boisvert, Genevieve Rowe, Amy Laurent, and Eva Wong; Public Health- Seattle & King County