2021 Road Traffic Accidents History - Version History of Base Table Rows

The 'table__history' is a critical component of the dataset collection, focusing specifically on historical data. It comprises a record of traffic accidents in 2021, sourced from the Finnish Statistics Bureau ('Tilastokeskus'). This information is essential in analyzing trends, forecasting, and making data-driven decisions related to road safety and traffic management.

The table primarily captures the version history of its base table rows, which is instrumental in tracking changes over time. It uses unique identifiers for each row, provided by the combination of '_start_date' and '_row_number'. The '_start_date' indicates when the row was first extracted from the data source, while the '_end_date' shows when a new version of the row was extracted. If '_end_date' is null, it implies that the row is the most recent version.

Geographic information is another key aspect of the table. The columns starting with 'geom_' contain this data, which is useful for geospatial analytics. With the WGS 84 coordinate reference system (longitude first, followed by latitude), these columns provide an exact location for each traffic accident.

Moreover, additional columns capture varied data elements such as the time of the accident, the type of accident, and the severity. This information enriches the dataset, providing a more comprehensive understanding of road traffic accidents.

This table is beneficial for a range of analytical applications. For instance, it can be used to identify accident-prone locations or times, enabling authorities to implement preventive measures. Further, the data can support research into the effectiveness of road safety initiatives, or it can guide infrastructure planning by highlighting areas with high accident rates.