Features
PBCAT version 3 (PBCAT 3) is an application for developing new variables useful for non-motorized safety analysis. Users of prior versions of PBCAT will notice major differences in platform, crash typing logic, and dataset in this version. PBCAT 3 has significant improvements in the functionality and features of the tool that make it easier to use to generate high quality data. Some of the features include:
- Online Open-Access Format: PBCAT 3 operates as an online, browser-based tool. It is available to anyone coding crash reports or specific variables related to a crash.
- Improved Adaptability: PBCAT 3 is used to complement States' crash data systems and variable outputs can be linked with other data sets using the jurisdictions unique crash identifier.
- Updated Road User Options: PBCAT 3 allows for users to choose from varied types of non-motorist road users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, and non-motorists who may have used varied types of personal conveyances.
- Simplified Crash Types: In PBCAT 3, Crash Type is solely derived from a combination of Motorist and Non-Motorist Maneuvers. The crash type that results is distinct from other variables or location context of the crash, which improves the objectivity of crash types. The crash type logic also results in only one crash type possibility per crash, which also improves objectivity of the data compared to earlier versions of PBCAT.
- Streamlined Logic: Users can choose from distinct options to answer up to 15 questions per crash, with the ability to skip certain questions. Finally, the same system is applied to all non-motorist modes, which enhances the ability of analysts to identify common and distinct crash risk pattern across the non-motorized modes.
- New Illustrations: Graphic illustrations help users confirm location context variables and depict the resulting crash types based on selected motorist and non-motorist maneuvers. The illustrations are available for users to download on the Images page.
- User-friendly data output: Data are output in user-friendly .csv format which enables convenient linkage of multiple files, and compilation with data from other sources.
Users may also indicate the presence of up to 44 Special Circumstances that may have influenced the crash; many of these are related to crash types in PBCAT 2
Because PBCAT 3 is intended for developing new variables to complement existing crash data, there are no places to enter variables such as the non-motorist or motorist age, weather, lighting conditions, injury severity, and other factors that are typically available from State crash databases. In addition, the user is not required to design a database or upload any data.
Once crash type and other data elements are coded using PBCAT, users can compile the downloaded PBCAT data with other data related to the crash, such as demographic characteristics of those involved, environment, and roadway characteristics. The application recommends users enter the State's unique crash report number or crash identifier in the Report Number field (the ID for each record) so for later merging of the data.
The data generated are not stored on the website. Users are therefore responsible for storing, linking or merging data, and managing the downloaded data. To enhance data protection, since there is no stored database, backup .csv files are automatically generated for the user after every five records for the first 20 entries (then at a decreasing frequency up to 200 records per session) to help prevent accidental data loss. When the user quits a coding session, all records are output in the .csv, and the user may therefore discard any unneeded backup data files.
The User Guide provides a more detailed discussion of the new features and benefits of PBCAT V3.