Center for Advanced Public Safety

Last updated
Center for Advanced Public Safety
TypeResearch Unit
EstablishedLate 1980s
Parent institution
University of Alabama
DirectorDr. Laura Myers
Location, ,
United States
Website caps.ua.edu
University of Alabama logo.svg

The Center for Advanced Public Safety (CAPS) is part University of Alabama College of Engineering and specializes in advanced software research and development to assist traffic safety, law enforcement and homeland security.

Contents

History

Formerly known as the CARE Research and Development Laboratory (CRDL), CAPS has its historical roots in information technology development to advance traffic safety. [1] This originated with the Critical Analysis Reporting Environment (CARE) that was initially developed to assist moderate sized cities process their traffic crash records in the mid to late 1980s on CPM-based microcomputers. CARE [2] has undergone continuous innovation over the years and is now in its tenth major version upgrade, while becoming a component of the enterprise traffic safety data system in 12 different states.

In 2017, CAPS was awarded approx. US $1.8m in funding by Governor Kay Ivey. The grants were administered through the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA). [3]

Projects

App Development: CAPS participated in the development of an app, HYPE, which helps people manage their blood pressure and is available, for free, to Apple and Android users. [4]

Severe Weather Study: CAPS put out a call for volunteers to participate in a study “to see how people prepare and react to severe weather events.” [5] Participants will be interviewed before, during, and after any “bad weather events during the 2021 Spring weather season.” [5] The study is part of a federally-funded tornado study the University of Alabama is doing with the University of Oklahoma. [6]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Traffic enforcement camera</span> Camera for detecting motoring offenses

A traffic enforcement camera is a camera which may be mounted beside or over a road or installed in an enforcement vehicle to detect motoring offenses, including speeding, vehicles going through a red traffic light, vehicles going through a toll booth without paying, unauthorized use of a bus lane, or for recording vehicles inside a congestion charge area. It may be linked to an automated ticketing system.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crash test dummy</span> Full-scale anthropomorphic test devices that simulate human bodies in vehicle crash testing

A crash test dummy, or simply dummy, is a full-scale anthropomorphic test device (ATD) that simulates the dimensions, weight proportions and articulation of the human body during a traffic collision. Dummies are used by researchers, automobile and aircraft manufacturers to predict the injuries a person might sustain in a crash. Modern dummies are usually instrumented to record data such as velocity of impact, crushing force, bending, folding, or torque of the body, and deceleration rates during a collision.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of Alabama in Huntsville</span> Public university in Huntsville, Alabama

The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) is a public research university in Huntsville, Alabama. The university is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and comprises nine colleges: arts, humanities & social sciences; business; education; engineering; honors; nursing; professional & continuing studies; science; and graduate. The university's enrollment is approximately 10,000. It is part of the University of Alabama System and is classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities: Very High Research Activity".

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An advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS) is any of a groups of electronic technologies that assist drivers in driving and parking functions. Through a safe human-machine interface, ADAS increase car and road safety. ADAS uses automated technology, such as sensors and cameras, to detect nearby obstacles or driver errors, and respond accordingly. ADAS can enable various levels of autonomous driving, depending on the features installed in the car.

The Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) is a unit of the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT). It was created in 2005 to advance transportation science, technology, and analysis, as well as improve the coordination of transportation research within the department and throughout the transportation community.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Safety Council</span> American nonprofit public service organization

The National Safety Council (NSC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, public service organization promoting health and safety in the United States. Headquartered in Itasca, Illinois, NSC is a member organization, founded in 1913 and granted a congressional charter in 1953. Members include more than 55,000 businesses, labor organizations, schools, public agencies, private groups and individuals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Weather Center</span> Building in Oklahoma, United States

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ohio State Highway Patrol</span>

The Ohio State Highway Patrol is a division of the Ohio Department of Public Safety and has the primary responsibility of traffic enforcement in the state of Ohio.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hurt Report</span> Motorcycle safety study published in 1981

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Collision avoidance system</span> Motorcar safety system

A collision avoidance system (CAS), also known as a pre-crash system, forward collision warning system (FCW), or collision mitigation system, is an advanced driver-assistance system designed to prevent or reduce the severity of a collision. In its basic form, a forward collision warning system monitors a vehicle's speed, the speed of the vehicle in front of it, and the distance between the vehicles, so that it can provide a warning to the driver if the vehicles get too close, potentially helping to avoid a crash. Various technologies and sensors that are used include radar (all-weather) and sometimes laser (LIDAR) and cameras to detect an imminent crash. GPS sensors can detect fixed dangers such as approaching stop signs through a location database. Pedestrian detection can also be a feature of these types of systems.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Traffic collision</span> Incident when a vehicle collides with another object

A traffic collision, also called a motor vehicle collision, occurs when a vehicle collides with another vehicle, pedestrian, animal, road debris, or other moving or stationary obstruction, such as a tree, pole or building. Traffic collisions often result in injury, disability, death, and property damage as well as financial costs to both society and the individuals involved. Road transport is the most dangerous situation people deal with on a daily basis, but casualty figures from such incidents attract less media attention than other, less frequent types of tragedy. The commonly used term car accident is increasingly falling out of favor with many government departments and organizations, with the Associated Press style guide recommending caution before using the term.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joe Kiani</span> Iranian-born American entrepreneur (born 1964)

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">SaveLIFE Foundation</span>

SaveLIFE Foundation (SLF) is an independent, non-profit, non-governmental organization focused on improving road safety and emergency medical care across India. SLF combines evidence-based research with policy advocacy, communication, and on-ground execution of projects in the two areas of crash prevention as well as post-crash response. Over the past few years, SLF has facilitated the enactment of the Good Samaritan Law in India, which insulates lay rescuers of injured victims from ensuing legal and procedural hassles. It has also adopted the Mumbai Pune Expressway to transform it into a Zero Fatality Corridor, trained several thousand Police personnel and citizens in basic life-saving techniques, and built technology platforms to assist road users and those interested in road safety.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Iteris</span> American company based in Santa Ana, California

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References

  1. Roberts, Ken. "UA study looks at differences in Thanksgiving, Christmas wrecks". Tuscaloosa News. Retrieved 2021-06-15.
  2. Parrish, A., B. Dixon, D. Cordes, S. Vrbsky and D. Brown, “CARE: An Automobile Crash Data Analysis Tool,” IEEE Computer, vol. 36, no. 6, June 2003, pp. 22-30.
  3. "Governor awards University of Alabama grants for traffic safety information and technology". Traffic Technology Today. 2017-08-13. Retrieved 2021-06-09.
  4. Mapp, Annie (2021-02-24). "University of Alabama develops app that helps monitor hypertension". WBMA. Retrieved 2021-06-09.
  5. 1 2 Digital, WVTM 13 (2021-02-04). "University of Alabama seeking volunteers for severe weather study". WVTM. Retrieved 2021-06-15.
  6. Morgan, Leigh (2019-12-20). "Want to help with severe weather research?". al. Retrieved 2021-06-15.