The Impact of Data Visualization on Public Sector Work

There is no denying that data impacts nearly every aspect of our lives. From the time we wake up in the morning until we go to bed at night, data can be linked to the vast majority of our activities. Personal data is used to access our accounts, marketing data is collected as we scroll the internet and make purchases, health data is collected during doctor visits, and broad-scale demographic data is collected to understand population and cultural trends, just to name a few of the ways data is constantly impacting our lives.

Although we don’t think about very much of the data swirling around us all the time, some of it can have very significant real-world impacts. In fact, some of the data being collected in real-time can work towards making our lives better and safer. Advances in data collection are being used to come up with real-world solutions.

These real-world applications are especially relevant in the public sector. Today, many professionals serving the public are capitalizing on data to discover trends, analyze system weaknesses, and ultimately become more effective at their jobs. We may not always notice it, but some of the data utilized in these projects could save our lives one day.

In Public Safety

Real-time data analysis has a profound role in public safety. For example, the technology can help reduce the likelihood of traffic accidents and fatalities. It can also alter conditions on the roadway, such as how frequently traffic lights turn or adjust speed limits.

The data analytics system uses long-term crash trend data to determine what conditions typically lead to higher accident risks. Then, it collects real-time input data from multiple different sources, including things like traffic volume, average speed of traffic, traffic control system status, and weather conditions, to analyze the risk of accidents in a given area. If the risk is high, the system can prompt managers to make changes in traffic control systems to improve safety outcomes.

Large, well-connected systems can add tools such as drones to get an even higher quality picture of public safety situations on the ground. For instance, first responders can send drones ahead of them into an area and get real-time information on how to respond to dangerous situations like natural disasters or technical rescues.

This all adds up to increased situational awareness as well. Data intake increases perception of status, attributes, and dynamics of environmental elements. Those who comprehend those elements can project how they will affect the future operational environment — for example, if a wildfire were to break out, first responders and public safety officials could use current weather data, past weather and disaster data, and population figures to determine when an evacuation would need to occur.

In Healthcare

The benefits of real-time data collection in the public sector don’t stop with public safety on the streets, though. These systems also have powerful benefits elsewhere. The healthcare system is another example of how real-time data collection and analytics can benefit the public and the greater good.

The number of healthcare consultations and meetings conducted remotely has skyrocketed in recent years. Nearly three-quarters of all initial meetings with specialists now take place via videoconferencing. Rather than having to travel miles to meet with a specialist in a big city, millions of people can now access quality healthcare from their homes. This can make a profound difference in the number of people willing to get care for things like minor injuries, check-ups, postoperative follow-ups, and some diagnostic visits.

Other forms of data collection in the healthcare system can also significantly improve the quality of care patients receive. For instance, hospitals can measure things like patient care outcomes, rates of certain diseases, and quality of care ratings and compare them to demographic data, including age, race, and gender, to determine weaknesses in the system and strive to make positive changes.

This data collection also helped to fuel situational awareness in our daily lives during the COVID-19 pandemic. The average citizen could follow news updates, listen to data about infection rates and the virus’s proximity to their communities, and compare that to information pertinent to themselves. People leaned on increased situational awareness to make informed decisions and opinions about when it was safe to go out again.

Bringing it Together

Real-time data collection is powerful because it can be shared rapidly across departments, sectors, and even industries as needed. Cloud data has allowed different organizations to bring together their data in one place for the common good of the people in the community they are working in. Ultimately, this can add up to even bigger benefits.

An example of this in action can help paint the picture. Imagine real-time traffic data collected has predicted a higher risk of vehicle accidents. As traffic control managers implement lower speeds to ease the risk, an aggressive driver pulls out in front of someone and causes an accident. Real-time data from first responders is collected and shared via the cloud with the local hospital. Medical experts are able to better prepare for the patients that come to the hospital and ultimately have better patient outcomes because of it.

In another example, first responders use real-time drone data to create a plan of operations to rescue people during post-hurricane flooding. The data collected helps them better prepare for the risks and ultimately leads to a more successful operation. People in need of treatment are connected with the local hospital, which has already set up numerous video conferencing stations to treat patients with minor injuries and check in on patients without overwhelming the facility itself.

The value of real-time data in the public sector cannot be understated. The data is regularly used to improve performance, increase safety, and potentially save lives.