Identification of Hazardous Highway Locations Using Knowledge - Based GIS : A Case Study

The work described in this paper was conducted at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and North Carolina State University. The study used the increased capabilities offered by geographic information systems (GISs), along with the detailed mapping (which contains highway features and geometrics) available for Guilford County, North Carolina, to demonstrate the use of engineering knowledge regarding accident causation to identify hazardous locations. The general approach taken was that of a pilot study, in which a subset of information is used to demonstrate how a new technology (in this case GIS) may be used to solve a particular problem or problems. The mapping data available from Guilford County, along with various other data files, the Maplnfo GIS, and North Carolina's Accident Records System (ARS) were used to conduct the study. The project provided valuable information regarding the limitations and advantages of 'using engineering knowledge about accident causation to identify hazardous highway locations, and demonstrated the utility and difficulties of applying the GIS to ARS. The overall approach is focused on, and difficulties associated with implementation are discussed.