Appendix E Data Source and Accuracy Statements

Box 2-1. Cross-Modal Comparisons

Caution must be exercised in comparing fatalities (and injuries) across modes because different definitions for reportable events are used among the modes. In particular, rail and transit facilities and injuries include deaths and injuries that are not, strictly speaking, caused by transportation accidents, but are caused by such events as a fall on a transit station escalator; or for railroad employees, a fire in a workshed. Similar fatalities for the air and highway modes (death at airports not caused by moving aircraft, or fatalities from accidents in automobile repair shops) are not counted towards the totals for these modes.

Total fatalities (injuries) in the tables are less than the sum of the modal totals because some deaths (injuries) are reported and counted in more than one mode. To avoid double counting, adjustments have been made to fatality totals (see table 2-4).