An Interactive Geospatial Tool for Post-Crash Emergency Response Planning and Analysis

Abstract: The US Department of Transportation's Safe System approach focuses on providing timely and efficient post-crash care to reduce injuries and fatalities caused by traffic crashes. Emergency medical services' responsiveness is crucial, with 36.6% of fatal crashes in rural areas having response times greater than 60 minutes, compared to only 10% in urban areas. To improve response times, easy-to-access geospatial mapping tools are needed, including location of trauma centers, fire/emergency services, and potential crash locations. This research aims to develop a geospatial interactive tool for post-crash care management, focusing on spatial distribution of assets and response times. This research aims to develop a geospatial interactive tool with planning and assessment modules for the stakeholders in the post-crash care management focusing on the spatial distribution of assets (e.g., trauma centers, EMS dispatching locations) and the response times–three primary intervals: (a) Crash Reporting Interval (T1), (b) EMS Arrival Interval (T2), and (c) Hospital Arrival Interval (T3). The interactive tool with planning and assessment module is developed leveraging Python mapping and data analysis packages leveraging public datasets from the Fatality Analysis Reporting Systems. Tools developed in this research to identify critical corridors and assess the response time will support the operations and planning of law enforcement and EMS entities nationwide. Understanding post-crash care and the role of EMS response will complete the USDOT’s Safe Systems Approach, specific to CMV safety countermeasures and educational awareness efforts. With the final product from our research, the law enforcement agencies and EMS entities in a geographic region (e.g., the state of Kansas) will be able to plan EMS dispatching location and highway patrol priority areas in addition to the identification of critical corridors and geographic boundaries (e.g., counties or census tracts). Local and state transportation safety entities and law enforcement agencies (including KHP) will see direct benefits from this endeavor.