FAQ's
From TraCS Florida
What Is TraCS Florida?
TraCS is an acronym for Traffic and Criminal Software. TraCS is a form system that can be used by law enforcement and agencies to electronically write tickets versus handwriting tickets. TraCS Florida includes the following forms:
- Florida Uniform Traffic Citation
- Crash Long Form
- Crash Short Form
- DUI Citation
- Warning Form
- Update/Continuation Form
What Is The History Behind TraCS?
In 1994, the Iowa Department of Transportation partnered with other state and local government agencies to design an accident reporting system that would increase data accuracy while reducing the time needed to process crash reports. This software evolved into TraCS. For more information, please visit the TraCS National Web site.
Who Is Using TraCS?
Currently, 17 states are licensed to use TraCS and are in various stages of development or actual use of the software. Several other states are considering the system. In addition, 2 provinces in Canada are utilizing the software as well.
What Is The Cost Of TraCS Florida?
The software, support, and training are all FREE to law enforcement agencies across Florida. TraCS Florida is grant funded through the Florida Department of Transportation Traffic Safety Office.
What Is TraCS Capable Of Handling?
Originally designed as an electronic traffic crash reporting system, TraCS is built on a Microsoft framework and supports a number of modules that can capture and manage a variety of law enforcement data functions, including enforcement citation, warnings, and other "form" or paperwork intensive scenarios. The in-car system supports bar code reading, black & white photography, crash and crime scene diagramming and electronic signatures. The PC's can be linked wirelessly or removed from a patrol car to be downloaded to local database within the agency.
What Are TraCS Benefits?
- Increased legibility: Use of a computer based field reporting system has proven to increase the legibility of both forms created in the field. This reduces the number of citations that are returned to the agency by the courts, and improves the accuracy of the traffic data collected by the local agencies.
- Increased Accuracy: A mag stripe reader can read the Florida driver license into TraCS driver or vehicle owner field. TraCS is also compatible with bar coded driver licenses. GPS devices can be attached to the laptop in the patrol car, sending a latitude and longitude to TraCS. Crashes and citations can be tied to a local records management systems or GIS. There are built-in HSMV edit checks to help avoid rejected forms.
- Intuitive Interface: TraCS Florida works closely with the HSMV to provide electronic versions of the DHSMV forms, including: Long Crash Form, Update/Continuation, Short Crash Form, Uniform Traffic Citation and the DUI Citation. These electronic forms mimic the paper forms for ease of usage and require minimal training.
- Reduced time filling out forms: Information on individuals, vehicles, or carriers are stored in common information lists, which can help to fill in repeated data. Mag stripe reader eliminates key strokes.
- Data validation with TraCS: When a form is complete it has to be validated before it can be submitted to HSMV. HSMV Edit Rules are applied to the form for validation.
- TraCS is Free: The form have been developed by FAMU-FSU College of Engineering under grants funded by the Florida Department of Transportation Safety Office.
- Compatible Technologies: TraCS makes use of a variety of data entry methods besides the keyboard. This includes mag stripe readers, bar code scanners, NCIC or FCIC inquiries and GPS receivers. Small light-weight maintenance-free thermal printers installed in the patrol car allow the forms to be printed on demand. TraCS is also configured to work with ticket writer impact printers.
How Do I Contact The TraCS Florida Support Team?
You can send your questions to TraCS team at 2525 Pottsdamer Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32310-6046. Or click Contact Us to find TraCS Florida contact information. Click here to Report an Error.
Where Can I Find Training Materials?
TraCS Florida has various training tools available for you. We offer Training Videos as well as Documentation. In addition, our Wiki allows you to type in a keyword to the search bar on your left to find additional documentation.
What Type of Barcode Readers and/or Swipe Readers Work With TraCS Florida?
Specific vendors (such as MagTek and LTron) have built certain models of their products to work with TraCS Florida. To find these products and specific models, please visit our page on Driver License Readers.
What Kind of Printers Work With TraCS Florida?
TraCS Florida is compatible with any Windows printers. We have collected user feedback regarding printer preferences, and posted it on our Wiki. Visit our page on Printers to learn what our users prefer.
How Do I Know What's New With TraCS Florida?
Visit our News section on the homepage of our Wiki! Another great way to stay updated is to read our TraCS Newsletters. Want to receive a newsletter by mail? Just Contact Us and we will put you on the list. You can also stay updated by joining our Discussion Board.
How Do I Get Started?
Contact Us! Want to learn more? See our page on Getting Started.
Where Can I Find Help For System Administrators?
We have an entire section of our Wiki dedicated to System Administrators Here on our Home page.
Where Can I Find Help For Users?
We have an entire section of our Wiki dedicated to Users Here on our Home page.
