The MITRIS SIM-PAT Information System for Road Safety

The main technical specifications of the project consisted in a completely new integrated IT system capable to map systematically data from road accident reports by both the police and the health system, with adequate quality in space and time. A shortcut of the existing paper-based data flows through on-line interfaces and IT communications was also sought. A system of procedures for data collection, sharing and analysis (including an XML structure) was established.

System structure. The MITRIS software is now formed by a central geodatabase system (managing geographical coordinates), integrated with a webGIS interface; it provides client applications for data entry (either on-line interfaces or MS-Word like forms for off-line data-entry), web service communication with national databanks and tools for automatic geocoding. Thus, data collection and analysis processes are unified in one infrastructure that creates a common knowledge and decision-support home for all the actors, with a potential for communicating data on risk evaluation and intervention priorities to the public. Geospatial procedures for risk analysis were also integrated in the WebGIS interface, producing risk reports on regular basis, sectoral studies, and specific ante-post evaluations.

Outputs. The system implements a multi-scale access to data and indicator visualization. It outputs alarm reports to local deputies from the Traffic and Road department, which uses the infrastructure to validate all major infrastructure amelioration against the risk maps. Dynamical maps showing spatio-temporal variation of risks have been produced. Several prototype actions for traffic safety have been implemented in high-risk neighborhoods. In some cases, ground to citizens’ requests was found from the MITRIS database.

Other features.

Integration with health data, allowing the production of maps and statistical reports linking severity of traumas and health costs, and the development of indicators for selecting priorities of intervention. The regional Health Epidemiology Unit has based focused campaigns for risk reduction, with specific benefits to child passenger safety.
Integration with additional road safety databases: the regional Deer Crash database (accidents with wildlife) and the Road Damage database (damages to road infrastructures caused by accidents). Interoperability between databases allows analyses of insurance costs and either compensation to damaged citizens or a more prompt assessment and request to insurance by the government.

Currently one main system is installed and operative for the province of Trento (MITRIS SIM-PAT, 500 000 inh.), and a second infrastructure is deployed for the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region (Northeastern Italy, 1.2 Millions inh.).

Lessons learned

Open source software technologies are a potential accelerating factor, given their ability to enhance flexibility and interoperability, and were used to implement all the software solutions.
Experience in the development of alliances with the several stakeholders of the project (Local Police, Traffic Police, Carabinieri, First Aid organizations, the ER system, the health system departments, the PAT statistical service...). In particular, we note how the coordination at all levels of the project was enhanced as an effect of data and process integration, and of the consequent visible improvements in data quality and quantity;
A set of best practices in the training of personnel of very heterogeneous familiarity with software interfaces; the use of cutting edge web technologies contributed to motivate public servants and raised interest in the project.

Predictive Models for Biomedicine & Environment

The MITRIS SIM-PAT Information System for Road Safety

Lessons learned

Further readings

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