Recent advances in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) provide new tools for an injury epidemiologist to study the associations between location, environment, and the spatial distribution of injury and death. In this study, spatial analysis technology from GIS was used to geographically describe crash fatality rates in general aviation (GA) crashes. Data for this study came from National Transportation Safety Board's Factual Reports. Crash data were collected for only general aviation flights that resulted in a crash between 1983 and 1998. Crashes were categorized as fatal or nonfatal. By plotting crash sites using crash site zip codes on a digital map, crash fatality rates were computed at regular grid locations by dividing the number of crashes with at least one fatality that occurred in the geographical vicinity of a grid location by the total number of crashes in the same vicinity. A test for significance was performed at regular spatial intervals by using Monte Carlo simulations, where each crash location had an identical probability of resulting in death. From these simulations, a statistical distribution of the crash fatality rates for each location was determined. These probabilities are portrayed as isarithmic maps and show areas that have significantly high crash fatality rates.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to: 1)Discuss recent research regarding the uses of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and spatial analysis by injury epidemiologists. 2) Articulate the procedure for plotting crash fatality rates in general aviation using Geographic Information Systems. 3) Articulate the procedure for assessing significance for crash fatality rates using exploratory spatial analysis
Keywords: Geographic Information Systems, Risk Mapping
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.