Knowledge‐Based System for Managing Intersection Safety

Management of traffic safety is a complex process that requires decision making under uncertainty in assessing the influence of different conditions on safety in the selection of the optimal treatment. To deal with the associated uncertainties, one needs to be widely experienced and up to date with all the research and new developments in the domain. Due to budgetary and other resources constraints, many agencies responsible for managing traffic safety have been forced to rely on the traditional techniques given in handbooks and procedural manuals. With properly designed knowledge‐based systems, the experience and knowledge that have evolved from years of research and multimillion‐dollar investments in traffic safety measures can be made accessible to all. This paper describes the application of a knowledge‐based system (intersection safety management information system [ISMIS]) to resolve safety issues at intersections. ISMIS, which contains the opinions of several experienced professionals, can assist a user to make decisions under uncertainty. This menu‐driven, microcomputer‐based system provides users with explanations for certain decisions, references, and measures available for remedying a particular problem. Moreover, it permits the user to perform an analysis of cost‐effectiveness based on statistical decision theory to determine the best alternative remedy.