Real-world impacts of drone implementation in data collection of fatal accidents

Abstract

The objective of this study was to analyze the use of drones and data collected in fatal accident investigations in accident scenes in Austin, Texas. The study compares data pre and post drones being used by the police officers of the Austin Police Department. The study presents a new way to collect evidence for fatal vehicle accidents and the attempts to apply the technology in the real world setting of vehicle investigations. The research findings are intended to be used by other municipalities before they implement the technology for their traffic accident investigations.

The datasets used in this study came directly from the Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) reports filed by officers in the Austin Police Department. The size of data files came from additional data sources in the records of fatal accident scenes. Time sequences and data file sizes worked to identify how much time was needed for a police officer to establish a full investigation with a drone while working a fatality and helps municipalities understand the data storage requirements for this type of data collection technique.

The study found that when drones are introduced to fatal accident investigations, they increase the duration of the time needed to investigate a scene. The use of drones also increases the use of data for the storage of imaging taken by the drone in this type of case files. Depending on the priorities of a municipality, time and data storage increases, could impact the decision to implement drones as a means to collect data in the field for fatal vehicle accidents.

Small sample size from a single municipality limits inference that could be drawn from results to other cities of the same size and demographic make-up. The study, does however, lead to providing beneficial information on potential impacts of drones in police investigation settings. The data can be used by policy makers to balance the value that drones bring with the burden of their implementation.