TL;DR:
- Dhaka Metropolitan Police launches DARC app to revolutionize road accident reporting by simplifying data collection from 67 to 8 core fields.
- Real-time accident tracking enables officers to input incident details on-site, improving accuracy and comprehensive data collection.
- Collaborative project with JICA aims to identify accident hotspots and analyze underlying causes through advanced data-driven technology.
- Nationwide potential for road safety with plans to expand the system beyond Dhaka, focusing on preventing traffic accidents through systematic data analysis.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has launched a groundbreaking data-driven application designed to revolutionize road safety in the capital city. The Database and Analysis of Road Crash (DARC) application, developed in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), marks a significant leap forward in addressing the city’s persistent traffic accident challenges.
Key Features of the DARC Application
The new mobile application streamlines accident reporting by reducing data entry from 67 fields to just eight core fields, making it easier for traffic officers to document incidents quickly and accurately. “The DARC application allows for real-time, detailed reporting, giving us a much clearer picture of accident patterns,” said Mahmudul Hasan, a JICA expert team member.
Addressing Historical Reporting Gaps
Historically, Dhaka’s accident reporting suffered from critical limitations. Previous methods focused primarily on fatal accidents, often overlooking non-fatal incidents and those resulting in later hospital fatalities. The new app tackles these shortcomings by:
- Enabling on-site data input by traffic officers
- Providing comprehensive incident tracking
- Ensuring data verification by supervising officers
Training and Implementation
The DMP has already invested significantly in the project’s success. Approximately 850 officers received specialized training in May, covering traffic management and data collection techniques. A pilot launch in June across eight traffic divisions has already demonstrated promising results.
Expert Perspectives
Additional Police Commissioner Khondoker Nazmul Hasan emphasized the app’s potential: “With this app, we can now analyse the primary causes of accidents and identify the locations where they occur most frequently.”
Dr. Kazi Md Shifun Newaz from BUET’s Accident Research Institute offered a cautiously optimistic view, noting that while the app is a strong first step, there remains a need to expand the system nationwide.
Future Implications
The DARC application, modeled after the World Bank’s open-source DRIVER application, aims to capture critical information including location, date, time, weather conditions, and potential contributing factors. Tetsushi Irie, a road safety planning specialist with JICA, highlighted the app’s potential to identify high-risk areas and analyze underlying accident factors.
Challenges and Outlook
Despite facing challenges such as personnel transfers and political changes, the DMP remains committed to the project. Additional training is planned to ensure all traffic personnel can effectively utilize the new technology.
The initiative represents a significant stride towards improving road safety in Dhaka, with the potential to save lives and reduce traffic-related incidents through data-driven insights and targeted interventions.
Source: The Daily Star
