Texas Highway Safety Operations Center: Using Data to Combat Crime, Crash, and Traffic Enforcement Issues 2015 Emergency Management Conference San Antonio TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY Texas Highway Patrol Division Highway Safety Operations Center (HSOC)
Learning Objectives 1. Understanding the importance of data analysis of crimes, crashes, and traffic enforcement 2. Highway Safety Operations Center s (HSOC) role in trend and statistical analysis 3. Proactive law enforcement through collaborative partnerships
Data Analysis of Crimes, Crashes, Traffic: Why It Is Important Crimes Occur on Texas highways every day Multiple times per day All across the State The ability to identify trends and patterns of crime, through analytical processes, will be highly beneficial to law enforcement and help to make our communities safer. Cooperative relationships among law enforcement agencies with mutual information sharing is critical to success.
Data Analysis of Crimes, Crashes, Traffic: Why It Is Important Crashes Rate of frequency and locations are similar to crimes Pose a threat to the safety of all motorists Responsible for approximately 3,400 deaths per year on Texas highways Responsible for approximately 65,000 serious injuries every year on Texas highways
Data Analysis of Crimes, Crashes, Traffic: Why It Is Important Traffic Enforcement Conducted by city, county and state law enforcement Autonomously Varies from traffic violations to felony criminal acts Provides potential links to other crimes
Data Analysis of Crimes, Crashes, Traffic: Why It Is Important Bringing It All Together The ability to gather data regarding crimes, crashes, and traffic stops in one centralized database, from multiple participants, will enhance analysis. Trend analysis improves exponentially Predictive analysis becomes more viable Proactive law enforcement becomes reality
Highway Safety Operation s Role HSOC is intended to serve as a central collection point for data related to crimes, crashes, and traffic stops on Texas highways. HSOC provides analytical capabilities of the raw data. Performs Trend analysis * Identifies where the problems currently are (crimes, crashes, specific traffic violations) and what trends are indicated Statistical analysis * Provides statistics on crimes, crashes, and traffic violations for a specified geographic area Predictive analysis on the horizon * Utilizes existing data to predict future occurrences
Highway Safety Operation s Role Information Available to Partner Agencies Periodic publications of trends Statewide Regionally Conduct additional research by request Geospatial mapping
Highway Safety Operation s Role Identify criminal incidents and terrorist suspects/cells utilizing Texas highways to facilitate their illicit activities Ability to produce rapid assessments of specific incidents Statistical/Pattern Analysis Incidents/arrests related to specific non-index crimes Child exploitation Kidnapping Criminal gang activity Driving while intoxicated Drug trafficking Human trafficking Weapons trafficking Vehicle assaults Pursuits Incidents/arrests related to index crimes Criminal homicide Forcible rape Robbery Aggravated assault Burglary Larceny theft Motor vehicle theft Arson
Goals Provide statewide, 24/7 situational awareness Develop and disseminate actionable information to the appropriate agencies Provide analytical/trend analysis to assist with planning of special emphasis enforcement operations Provide the methods, means, and routes for the development of actionable information packages for operational implementation Provide information regarding non-obvious relationships of criminal activity and associations, as well as trends in crashes and traffic enforcement Support multi-agency highway enforcement operations
The Keys to Success Success in proactive law enforcement Achieved through collaborative relationships Centralization of data collection Analytical dissemination from a centralized point Strategic use of resources Participation, Cooperation, and Implementation
Analysis Example Holiday Comparison of DWI Serious Injury Crashes Year Statewide DWI Involved Serious Injury Crashes (Non-Holiday) % of Total Statewide DWI Involved Serious Injury Crashes (Non-Holiday) *Average Number of Serious Injury Crashes per Day (Non-Holiday) Statewide DWI Involved Serious Injury Crashes (Holiday) % of Total Statewide DWI Involved Serious Injury Crashes (Holiday) *Average Number of Serious Injury Crashes per Day (Holiday) Rate Difference 2010 6,287 10.44% 18.82 861 12.05% 27.77 8.95 2011 5,949 10.20% 17.81 852 12.53% 27.48 9.67 2012 6,196 9.73% 18.55 841 11.95% 27.13 8.58 2013 5,723 8.73% 17.13 909 13.71% 29.32 12.19 2014 5,492 8.29% 16.44 921 14.36% 29.71 13.27 5 YEAR TOTAL 29,647 9.44% 17.75 4,384 12.88% 28.28 10.53 36 31 26 21 16 11 6 Crash Rate Comparison: Serious Injury Crashes per day Non-Holiday Holiday Using DPS and TXDOT databases, we can analyze large data sets in order to identify possible patterns. This example highlights how the rate of serious injury crashes involving DWI is much higher on holiday weekends. Identifying patterns like the above example can better assist both state and local law enforcement to develop strategies to combat traffic issues. 1 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Note: Data current as of January 23, 2015, and are subject to change.
Analysis Example Holiday Comparison of DWI Fatal Crashes Year Statewide DWI Involved Fatal Crashes (Non-Holiday) % of Total Statewide DWI Involved Fatal Crashes (Non-Holiday) *Average Number of Fatal Crashes per Day (Non-Holiday) Statewide DWI Involved Fatal Crashes (Holiday) % of Total Statewide DWI Involved Fatal Crashes (Holiday) *Average Number of Fatal Crashes per Day (Holiday) Rate Difference 2010 784 28.19% 2.35 104 11.71% 3.35 1.00 2011 747 26.65% 2.24 113 13.14% 3.64 1.40 2012 753 24.79% 2.25 114 13.15% 3.67 1.42 2013 784 25.70% 2.35 124 13.66% 4.00 1.65 2014 711 22.95% 2.13 133 15.76% 4.29 2.16 5 YEAR TOTAL 3,779 25.59% 2.26 588 13.46% 3.79 1.53 4.5 4 3.5 3 2.5 2 1.5 1 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Crash Rate Comparison: Fatal Crashes per day Non-Holiday Holiday Special Holidays and Events encompass about 8.49% of the days in a year. However, 13.46% of fatal crashes attributed to DWI occur in that small timeframe. The average number of fatal crashes per day on holidays has not only been approximately 1.53 crashes higher in the previous 5 years, but has increased year by year since 2010. Note: Data current as of January 23, 2015, and are subject to change. 13
Weekend Weekday Analysis Example Area Specific DWI Crashes and Arrests HP 2B01 - Jefferson County Day of Week Alcohol Related Crashes - DPS DWI Related Crashes - DPS DWI Arrests - DPS 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Monday 6 4 6 7 3 2 0 1 1 1 15 22 26 17 19 Tuesday 4 7 5 9 8 2 2 1 4 1 16 18 14 19 13 Wednesday 6 7 5 2 8 1 3 1 1 2 21 19 27 17 16 Thursday 10 7 8 10 1 5 0 2 3 0 33 23 32 21 21 Weekday Total 26 25 24 28 20 10 5 5 9 4 85 82 99 74 69 % of Total 35.62% 40.98% 36.36% 51.85% 28.17% 38.46% 26.32% 29.41% 64.29% 26.67% 36.80% 34.31% 38.67% 36.63% 41.57% Friday 12 15 14 10 8 4 7 5 2 1 39 51 34 21 18 Saturday 20 9 11 10 22 9 3 2 2 5 64 59 75 65 35 Sunday 15 12 17 6 21 3 4 5 1 5 43 47 48 42 44 Weekend Total 47 36 42 26 51 16 14 12 5 11 146 157 157 128 97 % of Total 64.38% 59.02% 63.64% 48.15% 71.83% 61.54% 73.68% 70.59% 35.71% 73.33% 63.20% 65.69% 61.33% 63.37% 58.43% Total 73 61 66 54 71 26 19 17 14 15 231 239 256 202 166 Data can be analyzed at the statewide level, as well as broken down by specific region, district and area. As the above chart shows, further breakdown can reveal what days (and times, if necessary) that incidents are commonly occurring. This concentrated level of analysis can help officers make more informed tactical decisions.
HSOC Contacts Highway Safety Operations Center General Information/Requests: TXHSOC@dps.texas.gov Event/Incident Reporting: TXHSOC.Events@dps.texas.gov David Palmer, Major Highway Safety Operations Center, (512) 424-2099 David.Palmer@dps.texas.gov Kenneth Musick, Captain Highway Safety Operations Center, (512) 424-2873 Kenneth.Musick@dps.texas.gov Kevin Wilkie, Captain Highway Safety Operations Center, (512) 424-2128 Kevin.Wilkie@dps.texas.gov