TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The University of Alabama CARE Research & Development Laboratory recently received runner-up recognition in the best practice category for their CARE data analysis software from the Association of Transportation Safety Information Professionals.

CARE was recognized during the 2004 Traffic Records Forum. Each year the Association recognizes exemplary state and federal projects which are good examples of implementation of new technology or demonstrate the use of traffic safety data in problem identification, project management or project evaluation.

“We are pleased to be recognized as one of the exemplary projects in the nation for our use of technology to analyze traffic data and advance safety in transportation. The fact that our CARE software had been implemented in nine states helped us win this award,” said Dr. Allen Parrish, associate professor of computer science and director of the laboratory.

UA’s CARE Research & Development Laboratory uses leading technology to offer products and specialized software development services in a variety of traffic safety and law enforcement agencies.

The Association of Transportation Safety Information Professionals advises and assists the National Safety Council in implementing programs and activities related to the design and use of traffic records systems which support traffic accident reduction and prevention.

In 1837, UA became the first university in the state to offer engineering classes and was one of the first five in the nation to do so. Today, the College of Engineering, with about 1,900 students and more than 95 faculty, is one of the three oldest continuously operating engineering programs in the country and has been fully accredited since accreditation standards were implemented in the 1930s.