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Reducing Alcohol-Related Crashes by Improving Patrols Through Development and Verification of Hot Spot Route Optimization Models

Buser, Lauren
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1479135042544793

Abstract Details

, Master of Science, University of Akron, Civil Engineering.
The amount of alcohol-related crashes in the United States has remained consistent since 1994. There are many methods law enforcement officials have used in order to try and reduce the amount of alcohol-related crashes, as well as deter drivers from driving intoxicated; however there remains much room for improvement. One method commonly used in today’s society is through the use of overtime officers patrolling for intoxicated drivers through saturation or corridor patrols. Though these methods may be seen as effective, the lack of reduction in alcohol-related crashes remains a problem. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration utilizes Data Driven Approaches to Crime and Traffic Safety, which improves methods of enforcement through the use of hot spots created by location-based crime and crashes. The goal of this research is to reduce the amount of alcohol-related crashes by introducing a new means of patrolling through data-driven methodologies. The results of hot spot maps for a number of counties are utilized in order to move forward in the development of a new method of patrolling. The hot spot maps are broken down into local indicators of spatial association, which show statistically significant locations where intoxicated drivers are likely to be present. Route optimization models are then used to guide officers to these locations. These models are compared with traditional methods of corridor patrolling through a series of performance metrics. Failure probability models are then created to further compare the two methods of patrolling, as well as aiding captains of jurisdictions in decision-making processes. By utilizing location-based hot spots, new methodologies of patrolling may be developed in order to reduce the amount of alcohol-related crashes. This new method of patrolling will guide officers to statistically significant locations, allowing them to be more accurate while patrolling for intoxicated drivers. Additionally, this method proves to pass through more alcohol-related crash locations per minute and mile, indicating it may be more efficient than current practices of patrolling. By improving how officers patrol, people may more accurately be deterred from driving intoxicated and alcohol-related crashes may be ultimately reduced.
William Schneider IV, Dr. (Advisor)
Christopher Miller, Dr. (Committee Member)
Stephen Duirk, Dr. (Committee Member)
Civil Engineering; Transportation
Alcohol-related crashes; patrolling; failure probability; hot spots; route optimization

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Buser, L. (2016). Reducing Alcohol-Related Crashes by Improving Patrols Through Development and Verification of Hot Spot Route Optimization Models [Master's thesis, University of Akron]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1479135042544793

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Buser, Lauren. Reducing Alcohol-Related Crashes by Improving Patrols Through Development and Verification of Hot Spot Route Optimization Models. 2016. University of Akron, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1479135042544793.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Buser, Lauren. "Reducing Alcohol-Related Crashes by Improving Patrols Through Development and Verification of Hot Spot Route Optimization Models." Master's thesis, University of Akron, 2016. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1479135042544793

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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© 2016, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Akron and OhioLINK.
Release 3.2.12