The 2016 Data Challenge of the American Statistical Association

Abstract

The Sections on Statistical Graphics and Statistical Computing of the American Statistical Association have a long history of issuing Data Challenges with the first one starting in 1982/1983. The challenge is now an annual event where most of them use data collected and disseminated by the U.S. government. The data set for the 2016 Data Challenge was the Department of Transportation’s General Estimates System. The GES is collected by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration and is a representative sample of police-reported motor vehicle crashes. This editorial introduces the five papers submitted by contestants in the data challenge.