Evaluation of 2008 Vermont 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 Vermont. MCMIS Crash File records were matched to the Vermont crash file to determine the nature and extent of underreporting. It was necessary to focus just on crashes involving a fatality, A-injury or B-injury, because of problems identifying MCMIS reportable crashes in the Vermont crash file. It appears that Vermont reported 64.9 percent of these crash involvements in 2008. 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 71 percent of fatal crash involvements were reported, 54.5 percent of A-injury involvements, and 67.1 percent of B-injury involvements. More than 66 percent of reportable involvements of truck involvements were reported, but the reporting rate was 50.0 percent for buses. Missing data rates are low for most variables. Corresponding data elements in the MCMIS and Vermont crash files were reasonably consistent, though all cases reported as truck with trailer in the MCMIS file were recorded as tractor-semitrailers in the Vermont crash file.