College
College of Engineering and Polymer Science
Date of Last Revision
2026-05-07 06:10:20
Major
Civil Engineering
Honors Course
CIVE497-005
Number of Credits
3
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science
Date of Expected Graduation
Spring 2026
Abstract
Thousands of fatalities related to vehicle crashes occur every year. One method to reduce fatalities is to encourage seat belt use compliance. To promote statistics regarding seat belt use, there first must be reliable data on seat belt compliance and this comes from good survey design.
This report is a comparative analysis of seat belt data collection methodologies for Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana, in addition to an evaluation of how each state aligns with standards set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The framework for this analysis focuses on NHTSA’s five core survey design requirements: selection of observation sites, assignment of observation times, observation procedures, quality control, and computation of estimates.
This project will determine differences in methodology between states and if that affects seat belt compliance rates.
Research Sponsor
William Schneider IV
First Reader
David Roke
Second Reader
Jacob Campbell
Honors Faculty Advisor
Ping Yi
Proprietary and/or Confidential Information
No
Community Engaged Scholarship
No
Recommended Citation
Richards, Madison R A, "Seat Belt Data Collection Methods: A Comparison Between States and National Guidelines" (2026). Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects. 2205.
https://ideaexchange.uakron.edu/honors_research_projects/2205