Being involved in a vehicle collision in Wichita will soon become just a little less painful, thanks to a new computer application that goes online this week. The new application will allow citizens to purchase copies of accident reports online.
This new web application is a "win-win" for the City and the community, according to Mike Mayta, Systems Analyst for the City of Wichita. "It offers more convenience and quicker access for citizens while freeing up staff time for Police Department personnel."
This self-service Internet application will allow individuals or businesses to access accident reports via a simple web interface. The system was designed to be user-friendly, Mayta said. To access an accident report, the user will enter an incident number; or an exact last name, first name combination to preview the specific report. Once the user has confirmed that it is the correct report he will be prompted to enter a payment method - credit card or Automated Clearing House (ACH). After payment has been accepted, the user is presented with the report.
"The City of Wichita is one of few, if not the only municipality in the country that has made accident reports available via this process," explains Mayta.
The application was developed as a collaborative effort between the Police Department, Municipal Court, Information Technology and Information Services (IT/IS) and Bank of America.
By partnering with Bank of America and using their Customer Initiated Payment product (CIP) the City avoids having to store credit card numbers and other financial transaction information.
"This unique product (CIP) is what allowed City IT/IS development staff to write an application where the City stores no credit card numbers or other transaction information, yet are able to authorize the transaction, send it electronically to the Bank, and receive a file back so it is posted to the appropriate City systems," said Mayta. "The only City staff intervention in the entire process is an audit by Treasury staff to confirm monetary totals."
During severe weather when the Emergency Accident Reporting Plan (EARP) is in effect, reports will also be available through the new system. However, because of the volume of accident reports being generated during those times, the reports may not be available within the standard four-day window.
If an accident report is not available when the user attempts to access it, the user will only need to supply the incident number and their e-mail address and they will automatically be notified via email when the report is available.
Accident reports can be accessed at: www.wichita.gov/accidents. For more information, please contact Mike Mayta at 303-8120.