13.1 Introduction
Traffic operations are an effective method of targeting specific traffic related problems. The effectiveness of these operations can be evaluated by statistical data. The importance of recording accurate statistical data for purposes of evaluating the performance of traffic operation can not be understated.
Research Analysts at State Traffic Support Branch are responsible for the collation and analysis of state-wide operational traffic statistics. Such statistics are utilised for monitoring regional enforcement activity levels.
13.2 References to legislation
None for this chapter.
13.3 Definitions
Definitions applicable to this chapter are contained in Chapter 2: 'Definitions' of this Manual.
13.3.1 'I-TAS'
I-TAS is an acronym for the Intelligent Traffic Analysis System. See s. 2.3.3: 'I-TAS' of this Manual.
13.4 Traffic Return Analysis and Complaints System
The Traffic Return Analysis and Complaints System (TRACS) is a computer based system developed for the recording of statistical information in relation to monthly traffic statistical returns and traffic complaints. The TRACS contains data which may be searched by all personnel throughout the State who have been provided access to this information.
The recording of Traffic Complaints in QPRIME replaces the Traffic Complaint functionality within the TRACS System. Other functionality of TRACS remains unchanged.
Detailed procedures in relation to the recording of traffic complaint occurrences are contained in the QPRIME User Guide, 'Traffic Complaint Occurrence'.
POLICY
Members requiring access to TRACS should provide their name, registered number, station, region together with advice specifying the reason for access to TRACS by internal email to the 'State Traffic Support Research Branch'.
13.4.1 Monthly traffic statistical return
POLICY
Regional Traffic Coordinators should ensure that a monthly traffic statistical return is supplied from their region to the Superintendent, State Traffic Support Branch within five days after the end of each month using the TRACS on the QPS Bulletin Board.
Regional Traffic Coordinators when using TRACS and submitting their regional monthly return should certify that all stations and nominated establishments (e.g. traffic branch, tactical crime squad, etc) within the region have submitted their returns and such returns are complete and correct.
To enable Regional Traffic Coordinators to be satisfied that the returns are complete and accurate, a regional process should be implemented whereby officers in charge verify that the information as entered on a return is able to be supported by:
(i) actual documentation (i.e., infringement notices, breach reports, notice to attend, bench charge sheet or court brief, summonses); or
(ii) information from the Traffic Crash Occurrences in QPRIME; or
(iii) information contained on other forms of documentation (e.g. occurrence sheets, etc.).
When compiling breath testing statistics for TRACS, the only data source to be used is data which has been downloaded from breath testing devices.
POLICY
Officers in charge of stations and nominated establishments are only to submit information on a monthly statistical return that can be verified and has been authenticated as outlined in this section.
If a modification is required to a specific return submitted by an officer in charge of stations or nominated establishments, the officer in charge is to:
(i) initially consult the Regional Traffic Coordinator;
(ii) ensure that the 'Modify Return Details' screen in TRACS is completed including the reason for the modification, the month and the year to which the modification applies and advice that the Regional Traffic Coordinator was consulted;
(iii) modify details on TRACS; and
(iv) advise the Superintendent, State Traffic Support Branch of the modification as outlined in part (ii) of this section.
The Superintendent, State Traffic Support Branch will arrange for the statewide statistical information to be altered to include the modification.
In addition to the monthly traffic statistical return, other returns may be required to be furnished as outlined in s. 13.5: 'Traffic operations' of this chapter and the information should similarly be able to be verified and has been authenticated as outlined in this section.
13.4.2 Traffic complaints by members of the public
Occasionally members may receive reports of traffic offences from external agencies and members of the public (traffic complaints). Some reports may be made through incident reporting schemes such as that which operates for school crossing supervisors while others may be received verbally or in writing.
The recording of Traffic Complaints in QPRIME replaces the Traffic Complaint functionality within the TRACS System. Other functionality of TRACS remains unchanged.
POLICY
Traffic complaints requiring immediate attention received from external agencies and members of the public should be recorded in accordance with
s. 1.6.1: 'Recording initial demand' of the Operational Procedures Manual.
Traffic complaints of a protracted or recurrent nature should be recorded as a Traffic Complaint Occurrence in QPRIME (see the QPRIME User Guide, 'Traffic Complaint Occurrence').
Officers in charge of stations or establishments should establish local procedures to ensure that traffic complaints are entered on QPRIME and to determine which traffic complaints are entered on QPRIME. It is expected that traffic complaints of a relatively minor nature, such as many parking offences need not be recorded on QPRIME.
Officers in charge of stations or establishments should check QPRIME daily to determine whether any new traffic complaints have been allocated to their station or establishment for attention.
Traffic complaints which clearly identify an offending driver or offending vehicle should be thoroughly investigated.
Traffic complaints which do not identify an offending driver or offending vehicle should be referred to the officer in charge of the appropriate station or traffic branch for consideration of traffic enforcement activities at the location of the reported offence.
PROCEDURE
Members receiving traffic complaints (oral or written) from external agencies or members of the public should:
(i) ensure that details of the complaint are entered on as a Traffic Complaint Occurrence in QPRIME, in accordance with local procedures. Local procedures may include scanning any written traffic complaint for attachment as an external document to the Traffic Complaint Occurrence; and
(ii) forward written complaints to the officer in charge of the station responsible for the area in which the offence occurred;
Officers in charge of stations who receive traffic complaints from external agencies or members of the public or have traffic complaints assigned to their station through QPRIME should:
(i) determine whether the complaint requires investigation on the basis of the seriousness of the reported offence and the likelihood of obtaining sufficient evidence to commence a prosecution;
(ii) consider whether enforcement action or some other remedial action (ie. education and awareness programs or an engineering solution raised at the Speed Management Advisory Committee) at the location of the traffic complaint should be undertaken and make arrangements for such action as deemed necessary. Officers in charge who decide that general enforcement or some other remedial action is the appropriate response to a traffic complaint should ensure that appropriate notations are made in the relevant Traffic Complaint Occurrence in QPRIME and that the entry is finalised at an appropriate time;
(iii) ensure that the person making the complaint is advised of any action to be taken by police (e.g. enforcement will be conducted in the relevant area, an investigation will be conducted into the specific incident or no further action will be taken);
(iv) if investigation of the complaint is warranted, assign an officer to investigate the report;
(v) ensure that any investigation is finalised promptly; and
(vi) ensure that the details of any action taken in respect of a traffic complaint are recorded in the relevant Traffic Complaint Occurrence in QPRIME.
Officers required to investigate traffic complaints should:
(i) if insufficient information is contained in the initial complaint, interview the person making the complaint and any witnesses. Statements should be taken from the informant and any witnesses at this time;
(ii) interview the offender, if necessary first interview the owner of the vehicle subject of the complaint in order to establish the identity of the offender;
(iii) if sufficient evidence exists to justify enforcement action, commence a proceedings, (Notice to Appear, or arrest) or complete a Traffic Breach Report (PT57A) or issue an Infringement Notice. The Traffic Breach Report (PT57A) is to be attached to the relevant Traffic Complaint Occurrence in QPRIME;
(iv) if insufficient evidence exists to justify commencing a proceeding, completing a Traffic Breach Report (PT57A) or Infringement Notice the officer to which the complaint was detailed is to enter brief details of the action taken to investigate the complaint and the reason why no further action is proposed into the relevant Traffic Complaint Occurrence in QPRIME and task the occurrence to their supervisor for finalisation; and
(v) at the conclusion of the action taken into the complaint:
(a) advise the person making the complaint of the action taken; and
(b) ensure that details of the action taken are recorded on the relevant Traffic Complaint Occurrence in QPRIME and that the occurrence and all tasks associated with the occurrence have been completed.
For the purposes of providing advice to the person making a complaint or entering details on QPRIME under these circumstances an investigation may be considered finalised when the investigating officer issues an Infringement Notice, completes a Traffic Breach Report (PT57A), otherwise commences a proceeding or decides that there is insufficient evidence to commence a proceeding. The person making the complaint should be advised only that action has been proposed or taken for a particular offence or that there is insufficient evidence to commence a prosecution.
POLICY
Officers assigned to investigate traffic complaints made by external agencies and members of the public may request the assistance of other officers to carry out investigations or to conduct other actions, but retain responsibility for finalising the investigation.
13.5 Traffic operations
When a region, station or establishment is involved in a traffic operation either designated by the Superintendent, State Traffic Support Branch (see s. 13.4.1: 'Monthly traffic statistical return' of this chapter) or instigated within the region, station or establishment (see s. 13.4.1: 'Monthly traffic statistical return' of this chapter), statistical data is to be obtained and a traffic return furnished. The statistical data can be used for the purpose of evaluating the operation. The statistical data will also enable relevant information to be distributed through the media.
13.5.1 Traffic operations instigated by Superintendent, State Traffic Support Branch
POLICY
The Superintendent, State Traffic Support Branch may request regions to take part in traffic enforcement operations. These operations may include the Easter Campaign, Christmas Campaign and any other special traffic campaigns. These other special traffic campaigns may be conducted in combination with other States, as national campaigns or in conjunction with Queensland Transport.
Media involvement is an important part of any traffic operation and should be encouraged.
Officers in charge of regions should allocate sufficient resources to support traffic operations instigated by the Superintendent, State Traffic Support Branch.
Officers in charge of regions should ensure that officers in charge of stations and establishments provide the necessary statistical information returns as requested by the Superintendent, State Traffic Support Branch. This information is to be collated by the regional traffic coordinator who should supply the information to the Superintendent, State Traffic Support Branch in accordance with any nominated reporting schedule.
PROCEDURE
The Superintendent, State Traffic Support Branch should consult with the officers in charge of regions prior to the commencement of a traffic operation.
ORDER
Officers in charge of regions are to ensure that the regional traffic coordinators coordinate any designated traffic operation within their regions for the purpose of maximising the effectiveness of that operation's goals and objectives.
Officers in charge of stations and establishments are to provide all available resources to assist in the successfulness of the traffic campaign.
Officers in charge of stations and establishments are to forward the necessary information by way of a return to their regional traffic coordinator.
The Regional Traffic Coordinator is to collate the information received from the officer in charge of stations and establishments for forwarding to the Superintendent, State Traffic Support Branch by the specific time and date.
13.5.2 Traffic operations instigated by regions, stations or establishments
POLICY
Regional traffic coordinators should ensure that statistical data is supplied to the Superintendent, State Traffic Support Branch in relation to any traffic operation being carried out within their particular region.
Regional traffic coordinators should consult with the Superintendent, State Traffic Support Branch prior to the commencement of the operation to determine the type of information to be supplied and a suitable reporting schedule.
13.6 Webcrash
Webcrash is an on-line database that allows members of the Service to access information about crashes that have occurred on Queensland roads since 1992. Queensland Transport has collated this information since 1986 with the assistance of the Queensland Police Service. The information for Webcrash originates from the data contained in QPRIME Traffic Crash Occurrences which are initially cleansed, coded and/or verified by Queensland Transport and then by QStats. This data is then transferred to Webcrash. For some crashes, data may not be available due to a number of fields not having been completed on the Traffic Incident Recording System. Crashes which are out of scope are not included in Webcrash.
Webcrash provides the tools for analysing road crashes in Queensland. This data allows members of the Service to value add this information to support traffic operations and traffic enforcement within their particular division, district, or region for the purpose of attaining the best possible result in the reduction of road trauma with the most cost effective use of resources (including monetary and human resources).
After entering the requested information (including geographic, date, time and crash characteristics) onto Webcrash, a high quality report in a PDF format with statistical summary is produced including graphs and notations.
The State Traffic Support Branch closely liaises with the Data Analysis Unit of Queensland Transport regarding Webcrash.
PROCEDURE
Members who regularly prepare traffic operations and determine planned traffic enforcement should access the Webcrash data base to assist in these tasks. When a member uses such information in a document they should make reference to Webcrash as the source of that information.
Members of the Service requesting access to Webcrash should apply through the QT Road Crash Database on the Queensland Police Web. The user manual for Webcrash and other information is also available from this site. A glossary of terms to enable a selection of requested criteria for a Webcrash is available on screen within Webcrash. Webcrash training is conducted by Queensland Transport on a need basis. Members of the Service who require training should provide a request to the Data Analysis Unit of Queensland Transport (see Contact Directory).
Issue 14 - August 2008
