It can be hard to believe the sheer amount of data we are now able to collect from nearly every situation on a day-to-day basis these days. We can collect personal information from our phones and wearable devices, demographics data from marketing schemes, and Earth function data from satellites in space. With all this information, the world is surely at our fingertips.
The incredible amount of data that we are capable of collecting every day is profound and difficult to manage, but, with great focus on a specific topic, it can be used to do great things. For instance, all of this data could be used to help scientists, researchers, and leaders in our communities predict and maybe even prevent various accidents or disasters.
It is a tantalizing idea, one that could greatly improve the world we live in today. Here are some ways these tools are already being put to use.
Transportation and Traffic
Perhaps one of the most significant ways that big data analysis is working to predict and prevent disasters is in the transportation and traffic world. Some data scientists are capitalizing on big data to design machine learning tools that can predict when and where accidents are most likely to occur on busy roadways. Some of these designs are able to work alongside commonly used mapping apps such as Google Maps to highlight where the higher risks are and allow drivers to choose alternate routes.
But that isn’t the only way big data is helping to predict and prevent accidents. As many cities start to modernize their traffic systems to incorporate data analysis, they are gaining greater control over tools that can loosen congestion and increase safety:
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Controlling the timing of stoplights to keep traffic moving along
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Sending alerts to driver’s phones and suggesting alternative routes
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Assessing weather conditions prior to making road safety recommendations
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Suggesting where highway patrol should be spending more time to improve safe driving conditions
Typically, when accidents do happen, accident reconstruction experts are brought in to analyze the situation and ultimately determine the cause of the accident. Big data could also have a role to play here. Data collected along roadways could be incorporated into the analysis to offer more informed conclusions of what really went wrong to cause the accident. Conclusions could also be incorporated into data-driven analytics for future prediction and prevention use.
Healthcare
Big data can play a much greater role in protecting our personal health than just making the roadways safer. Another means by which it can help improve our lives is within the healthcare system. Much like in traffic safety, one of many ways big data can be used is to predict and prevent accidents before they happen.
In fact, big data is a key component of electronic medical records, a cloud-based system with the goal of allowing healthcare providers and patients to easily and securely access medical records. This type of connectivity could save lives because it enables hospitals to easily view the entire record of new patients – something that is especially critical in emergency situations. Big data can also be used in medicine to do the following things:
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Keep pharmacists up to date on patient prescriptions
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Help healthcare administrators maintain clear and transparent records
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Ensure patient information is secure through blockchain transactions
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Monitor patient health data through wearable devices
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Predict disease risk based on environmental and genetic factors
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Monitor disease outbreaks and predict hotspots
Data analysis can also be a profound benefit to mental health. For instance, analysis of patients suffering from PTSD has found that non-veteran patients are frequently falling through the cracks. This type of research is valuable in that it helps draw attention to where gaps exist so healthcare providers can adapt. As data becomes more prevalent, it is likely that more and more of these gaps will be discovered and addressed.
Workplace Safety
The use of big data and data analysis also has a place in the general workplace. One specific example is how it can be used to improve workplace safety. Nowadays, nearly every mishap at a given workplace is documented in some form or another. All of that data is available to be analyzed and used to predict where accidents may happen and what changes can be implemented to reduce risks.
Some software is already in place in numerous work settings. For example, some companies run their work plans through red flag software program that identifies risks based on previous accidents in the workplace and in other similar workplaces. This can help ensure that everyone is aware of the risks and is taking appropriate steps to mitigate them.
Big data analysis has a major role to play in the prediction and prevention of accidents in our world today. To some extent, it is already being used in things such as traffic management, healthcare, and workplace safety. It is likely that it will continue to become more and more prevalent as more companies and governments adopt big data systems. How else can tech be used to keep us safer?
