The IRE Resource Center is a major research library containing more than 23,250 investigative stories — both print and broadcast. Add to that more than 3,000 tipsheets from our national conferences on how to cover specific beats or do specific stories and you have a resource that no reporter or editor should be without. These stories and tipsheets are searchable online or by contacting the Resource Center directly (573-882-3364 or rescntr@ire.org) where a researcher can help you pinpoint what you need. Browse or search the tipsheet section of our library below. Logged-in members can view the tipsheets free online:
Search results for "public transportation" ...
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Data on Deadline
This tipsheet lists helpful websites to use when you need to access data on deadline. Suggested data links include the American Community Survey to campaign finance data to tracking airplane tail numbers.
Tags: data; quick hit; deadline; census; campaign finance; aviation; transportation; economics; FAA; NHTSA; automobile; consumer safety; politics; courts; federal spending; databases; reporting
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Navigating Transportation Data: Covering Accidents and Infrastructure
The authors list both sources and story ideas related to transportation. They include sources for stories about vehicle accidents, transportation infrastructure, and public transit. The authors also discuss some recent stories on this topic and include tips and advice for reporters pursuing similar investigations. Finally, they list some IRE resources about transportation.
Tags: automobiles; cars; highways; railways; transit authority; bridges; public records; traffic accidents
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Federal Databases You Need
This study of federal databases touches on various federal databases that can be helpful, including the Federal Assistance Awards Data System and sites on transportation, public safety and campaign finance.
Tags: federal databases; Federal Procurement Data System; Consolidated Federal Funds Report; Federal Assitance Awards Data System; census; truck inspections
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Diary of a two-day reporting effort
Nalder's tipsheet narrates his quick yet thorough investigation of the Washington state ferry system, which reveals techniques for rapidly digging into an organization's records and procedures. The sheet explains research techniques, interview strategies and keys to source selection.
Tags: open records; public records; ferries; transportation; investigative reporting; interviews; regulation; Coast Guard; boat safety
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Sources for Covering Your Local Transit Agency
McGinty provides sources and what you can find by using them, such as the National Transit Database and Florida International University's database. Both contain dozens of spreadsheets with ridership information, revenue, crime data and so on. McGinty also lists some must-read documents for covering transit in your area.
Tags: Transportation; public transportation; U.S. census data; urban mobility; NTD; metropolitan transit
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Analyzing Speeding Tickets
This tipsheet explains some of the difficulties of analyzing speeding tickets, and then shows how the resulting story is often worth the effort. Overberg offers some examples of successful stories and includes specific details about each analysis. The tipsheet includes a recent story that Overberg did for Uplink, a NICAR publication, with more advice on the topic.
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Covering State and Local Government
In this tipsheet, Amons provides advice for getting beyond the basic state and local government stories. Information about access to public records is included as well as possible story ideas and government Web sites.
Tags: broadcast; public records; investigative reporting; campaign contributions; Excel; computer-assisted reporting; transportation; crime; sex offenders; spending; quasi-governmental agencies; audits; Kentucky; government Web sites; computer-assisted reporting; CAR
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Homeland security: The stories we are missing
Sherman summarizes several investigations for reporters to pursue involving homeland security, such as tracking federal grants, assessing hospital preparedness and examining transportation and cargo concerns. She notes 13 Web site resources and provides a sample public information request for fund records.
Tags: homeland security; investigative reporting; federal grants; terrorism
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Measuring and reporting on highway road roughness
This tipsheet outlines three ways a reporter can go about obtaining highway data. The ways are to obtain it from the Federal Highway Administration, to get it from your state highway department, or to simple get it yourself. All three are examined at length.
Tags: None
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Using Census Data for Investigations
This tipsheet breaks down the uses of census data by beat or subject headings and includes information on specific types of Census data and how you can use it.
Tags: census; CAR; education; social services; transportation; politics; public safety; business; housing; environment; PUMS