Date of Award

Spring 2008

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Public Administration (MPA)

Abstract

In November 2003, the California Highway Patrol's (CHP) Golden Gate Division created Speed Enforcement Te.ams (SETs), providing focused speed enforcement throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. This program sought to reduce fatal and injury collisions on specified roadways (SET Beats). Portions of freeways or roadways experiencing high frequencies of these collisions were targeted. This research paper evaluates whether the SET program has been effective at reducing injury and fatality collisions within the Castro Valley CHP Area jurisdiction by at least five percent. Research design compares the number of qualifying collisions for two year periods both prior to and following implementation. CHP records provided statistical data to facilitate comparison, and potential influences such as weather, traffic volume, and engineering improvements were considered during evaluation. Surveys and structured interviews were utilized to query SET participants as to program efficacy. Research also evaluates whether enforcement of speed-related violations increased by at least five percent on SET Beats. Statistical data revealed qualifying collisions were reduced by 13.8 percent, while SET deployments were responsible for a 14.3 percent increase in speed-related citations qn SET Beats. Survey and interview results support the continuation of the program, subject to modification. Policy recommendations may assist CHP administrators in determining whether further use of the program is justified, while providing suggested improvements to the existing model.

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