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Index |
Recommendations In general, most
of the participants in this test, and the last one conducted for FHWA,
were pleased with the software. However, there is always room for improvement.
Using the results from these tests and comments from our own project staff,
the following improvements should be considered for future versions of
the product:
1) Possibly reduce
the number of crash types to a level that corresponds to the types of
countermeasures suggested. This approach was considered when PBCAT was
first conceptualized, but dropped from consideration because of the clamor
for more detail from some practitioners. This issue should be revisited
and considered from the viewpoints of both the researcher and the practitioner.
2) Develop a network
version that would allow data entry to be completed on multiple machines
in multiple offices. The data base would reside in a central location
and be accessible to all remote sites.
3) Develop a web-based
version that could be used on the Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center
web site. The data storage would be managed by the PBIC staff. This approach
would allow for the creation of a "national" data set.
4) Enhance the countermeasures
portion of the product. The countermeasures need to be more closely linked
with the crash types. At the same time, there needs to be a better system
for allowing users to select countermeasures. There are projects underway
that will address some of these concerns. The results of these efforts
need to be incorporated into future versions of the software.
5) Continue to make
the product as user-friendly as possible. As the development software
improves, more can be done to improve the features of the product. The
version of Visual Basic available now, versus what was used to develop
the software, would allow for a significant number of improvements.
6) Provide some level
of product support. Currently, there is no mechanism in place to provide
technical assistance to users of the software. In the short-term, this
is being addressed through the PBIC.
7) Develop a long range strategy for the product, including marketing products and iterative improvements, with a goal of creating a national data set that could be used to better define pedestrian and bicycle crashes. |