The National Automotive Sampling System (NASS) Crashworthiness Data System (CDS) was established in 1979 to help analyze motor vehicle crashes and injuries. It collects data with research teams at 24 sites that study about 5,000 crashes annually involving passenger cars, trucks, and vans. Historically, trained researchers have collected NASS CDS data on paper data encoding forms. Recently, the NASS program took a giant step forward into the world of electronic crash data collection. Researchers started collecting data using electronic digital methodologies in January of 1997. In this "paperless" system data go directly into the database in the field, rather than on paper forms. All case data are transferred electronically to quality control centers, central data depositories, and NHTSA. An interface is being designed for users to access data and digital images. This paper will describe the process of converting from a paper to an electronic crash data collection system. This new system gives NHTSA the capability to provide quick electronic access to cases. Eventually the data will be accessible through the Internet. (A)
Abstract