The Connecticut Crash Data Repository, compiled by UCONN (https://www.ctcrash.uconn.edu) provides regularly updated data on crash reports across the state. We were able to use this resource to investigate the frequency of Route 9 crashes in Middletown as well as the types of crashes that occur on Route 9. This will provide some limited insight into the possible safety concerns surrounding the current setup of the Middletown portion of Route 9.
Below are some graphics which will summarize our findings. Available data ranges from January 2015 – September 2023.
Figure 4. Heat Map of All Recorded Crashes in Middletown
Figure 5. Heatmap of All Recorded Crashes in Middletown, Zoomed In on the Middletown Portion of Route 9
There are a few important notes and limitations to mention with the CT Crash Repository data.
First, the way roadway names of crash locations are recorded are not standardized. Our method of filtering down to the Route 9 crashes specifically was to detect crash records where the primary roadway name included “9”, then removing any irrelevant cases which contained a 9 but did not take place on Route 9. No crash records roadway names in Middletown contained 9 spelled as “nine,” so this method was as efficient as possible.
Second, we were not able to visualize complete data for 2023, as the data was pulled in the beginning of October, 2023. Therefore, the dates we had available range from January 2015 – September 2023. This partially accounts for the decrease in recorded crashes in 2023.
Overall, while these graphics provide some insight into safety concerns on Route 9 in Middletown, they do not tell the entire story. More information is available on The Connecticut Crash Data Repository, including interactive graphics and statistics.
