Systematic Identification of High Crash Locations Final Report, 2001

Federal and state policy makers increasingly emphasize the need to reduce highway crash rates. This emphasis is demonstrated in Iowa’s recently released draft Iowa Strategic Highway Safety Plan and by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s placement of “improved transportation safety” at the top of its list of strategic goals. Thus, finding improved methods to enhance highway safety has become a top priority at highway agencies. The objective of this project is to develop tools and procedures by which Iowa engineers can identify potentially hazardous roadway locations and designs, and to demonstrate the utility of these tools by developing candidate lists of high crash locations in the State. An initial task, building an integrated database to facilitate the tools and procedures, is an important product, in and of itself. Accordingly, the Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT) Geographic Information Management System (GIMS) and Geographic Information System Accident Analysis and Location System (GIS-ALAS) databases were integrated with available digital imagery. (The GIMS database contains roadway characteristics, e.g., lane width, surface and shoulder type, and traffic volume, for all public roadways. GIS-ALAS records include data, e.g., vehicles, drivers, roadway conditions, and the crash severity, for crashes occurring on public roadways during then past 10 years.)

Office of Governor Notification Letter, July 1, 2005

State Audit Reports - Notification Letter

Department of Management Notification Letter, July 1, 2005

State Audit Reports - Notification Letters

Governor's Office of Drug Control Policy, Notification Letter, July 25, 2005

State Audit Reports - Notification Letter

Iowa State Prison Industries - Farms, Notification Letter, July 26, 2005

Other Audit Reports - Notification Letter

Board of Regents Notification Letter, July 28, 2005

State Audit Reports

Iowa Department of Education, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Notification Letter, April 14th, 2005

State Audit Reports

The Iowa Public Employee's Retirement System Notification Letter, July 12, 2006

State Audit Reports

Iowa Department of Commerce Notification Letter, June 26, 2006

State Audit Reports- Notification Letters

Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board Notification Letter, June 26, 2006

State Audit Reports - Notification Letters

Treasurer of State Notification Letter, July 7, 2006

State Audit Reports - Notification Letter

Department of Management Notification Letter, July 7, 2006

State Audit Reports - Notification Letter

Public Employment Relations Board - Notification Letter, July 26, 2006

State Audit Reports - Notification Letter

Iowa State Prison Industries - Farms Notification Letter, July 26, 2006

Other Audit Reports - Correctional Institution

Investigation Into the Timeliness of the Death Notification to the Surviving Spouse of a Motor Vehicle Accident Victim, 2005

Report: #05-02 Kirke C. Quinn, Attorney for Jo Anne Holland, first contacted the Ombudsman by letter dated January 2, 2004. Quinn also addressed his letter to the Governor’s Office, Iowa State Patrol (ISP), and Iowa Department of Public Safety (DPS). Quinn characterized his letter as a complaint against ISP regarding “the method and manner of reporting the death of Ross Holland to his surviving spouse.” According to Quinn, Mrs. Holland “went through hours of misery as a result of the patrol’s inattention to a tragic situation.” On January 7, 2004, the Ombudsman asked ISP Major Gary Hoskins, Supervisor of Field Operations, how ISP and DPS intended to respond to Mr. Quinn’s letter. Major Hoskins stated he would refer Quinn’s letter of complaint to DPS’ Professional Standards Bureau (PSB) for investigation and response. After speaking with Major Hoskins, the Ombudsman told Mr. Quinn that DPS would do an internal investigation and if he were not satisfied with the results he could contact the Ombudsman again. On March 29, 2004, Mr. Quinn contacted the Ombudsman and stated he was not satisfied with DPS’ response. Quinn stated he would send a copy of the response to the Ombudsman, along with a letter stating his outstanding issues and concerns. In his letter to the Ombudsman, dated May 5, Quinn simply stated: “Please find enclosed [a] copy of the letter received from the Department of Public Safety. We think this is an absolute outrage. We welcome your input.”