Evaluation of 2008 North Dakota crash data reported to the MCMIS Crash File

Abstract

This report is part of a series evaluating the data reported to the Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS) Crash File undertaken by the Center for National Truck and Bus Statistics at the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute. The earlier studies showed that reporting to the MCMIS Crash File was incomplete. This report examines the factors that are associated with reporting rates for the state of North Dakota. MCMIS Crash File records were matched to the North Dakota crash file to determine the nature and extent of underreporting. Overall, it appears that North Dakota is reporting 64.2 percent of crash involvements that should be reported to the MCMIS Crash file. There is also evidence that about 17 percent of the records reported do not meet the reporting standard. Reporting rates were found to be related to crash severity, the configuration of the vehicle, and the type of enforcement agency that covered the crash. Over 93.3 percent of fatal crashes were reported, 81.8 percent of injury/transported crashes, and 57.5 percent of tow/disabled involvements. More than 72 percent of reportable involvements of truck-tractors were reported, but the reporting rate was 47.4 percent for 2-axle, 6-tire single-unit trucks. Only 30.8 percent of bus involvements were reported. Missing data rates are low for most variables. Overall, the crash report is well-designed to support full reporting. The information necessary to identify reportable cases is available in the crash file, so a substantial improvement in the reporting rate can be achieved.