In NICAR's database library we are continually trying to expand our database offerings as well as maintain the most up-to-date existing collection. Here's a run down of the new and updated data sets.
Recent Data Acquisitions
Adding to our expanding aviation databases is the Federal Aviation Administration's Enforcement Information System (EIS) The EIS has current and historical data on FAA enforcement actions against airlines, pilots, mechanics and designees filed from 1962 through mid-1997. The data set includes information on hazardous materials, security, drug testing, and training and maintenance infractions among others.
Another aviation data set is the National Transportation Safety Board's Aviation Accident Database, 1989-1997. This is the NTSB's version of the FAA's accident and incident database. Both agencies keep crash data but with a slightly different focus. The NTSB investigates civil aviation accidents and incidents within the United States and in international waters and has detailed information on the variables involved in the accident. The database contains information describing the aircraft, operations, personnel, environmental conditions, consequences, probable causes, and contributing factors of accidents. The NTSB also includes a narrative of the accident or incident.
NICAR has just finished the 1996 update of the Center for Disease Control's AIDS database. The data set provides case-by-case demographic information about Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome cases reported to state and local health departments. The information can provide a detailed look at AIDS in your area, including demographic breakdowns and risk factors of those with AIDS in your community.
National Endowment for the Arts, 1987-1996, has information on individuals or organizations receiving money for arts programs, including the type of grant, the total award amount and a description of the project.
Updated Data
Along with the two new acquisitions, we've also updated the rest of our aviation data sets. The FAA's service difficulty reports (SDR), accidents and incidents, aircraft registration, and pilot licenses are all current through September 1997.
Additionally, NICAR can set up a monthly subscription to SDRs for those who want to maintain the most updated information. NASA's air safety reporting system, containing anonymous complaints by pilots and air traffic controllers, is current through August 1997 and is useful for finding near misses and problems at local airports, 1988-1997.
Other transportation data sets we've updated: the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration vehicle recalls and complaints, 1966-1997, includes information about vehicles that have been recalled by certain manufacturers; Federal Railroad Administration data for accidents, casualties, and highway crossings, 1991-1996; U.S. Department of Transportation hazardous materials accidents database, a collection of roadway, rail, air and waterway accidents from 1971 to 1996; U.S. DOT fatal accident reporting system, includes all roadway accidents from 1975 to 1996; and U.S. Coast Guard boating accidents, 1969-1996.
The 1996 Home Mortgage Disclosure Act database is also available. This can be used for tracking who gets loans and who gets turned down and for finding redlining patterns.
Up-and-coming Data
Data sets in the offing include the FAA's Near Mid-Air Collisions database, which is used to record reports of in-flight incidents where two aircraft closed to an unsafe distance but avoided collision. This database serves as a description of the incident, setting, weather, intended and actual operations, evasive actions (if any) taken, location, flight profile, flight conditions, aircraft and aircrew data for the two involved aircraft.
The following NICAR databases are presently being updated: the 1996 National Bridge Inventory System data, including inspection grades, will be available in December; Occupational Safety and Health Administration violation data, including worker accidents and exposures to hazardous chemicals by companies, will be also ready in December.
Justin Mayo can be reached at (573) 882-0684 or by e-mail at justin@nicar.org