Clever Devices- Where Mobility Matters

The Pitfalls of Paper: Why Use Incident Management in CleverCAD

Written by Mary A. Pusterla | Aug 29, 2025 2:39:22 PM

In the world of transit operations, efficient incident management is critical for safety and compliance. Even in our increasingly digital era, many agencies still rely on outdated paper forms to track and report incidents. While paper may seem like the simplest way to track incident reports, there are hidden costs and operational risks associated with going the analog route. 

Clever Devices’ Incident Management module for CleverCAD offers a modern, digital alternative that allows agencies to streamline workflows, improve accuracy, enhance cross-departmental communication, and ensure legal compliance. It’s time to move beyond the pitfalls of paper and explore all the advantages of going digital with Incident Management. 

The Hidden Costs of Paper-Based Incident Tracking 

Paper-based forms seem like the most direct and cost-effective method of tracking incidents at first glance. However, as the forms quite literally pile up, so too do the expenses. 

  • Labor Costs: When an incident occurs in the field, operators and dispatchers often need to stay late to complete forms manually, leading to unnecessary overtime. 
  • Material Costs: Budget-conscious agencies should already be familiar with the ever-increasing cost of office supplies, including the rising costs of paper, ink, and physical storage. 
  • Risk of Loss or Damage: To err is human. Coffee spills, misplaced documents, or accidental disposal can result in lost data. These mistakes can be especially costly when incidents require documentation for legal proceedings. 
  • Compliance Risks: Missing or incomplete records can jeopardize regulatory compliance and expose your agency to liability. 

Operational Inefficiencies of Paper Forms 

Beyond cost considerations, paper-based systems can slow down operations and create bottlenecks, especially in departments where high turnover is a factor. 

  • Manual Data Entry: Filling out forms by hand is time-consuming and prone to errors. Clever’s incident management module allows for spell-checking to help reduce typos and misspellings. 
  • Limited Accessibility: Physical forms aren’t easily shared across teams or accessible remotely, which delays response times. 
  • Training Burden: New staff must learn manual routing procedures, increasing onboarding time. 
  • Lack of Real-Time Updates: Paper doesn’t support instant alerts or status tracking, leaving teams out of sync. 

How CleverCAD’s Incident Management Solves the Problem 

Clever Devices’ Incident Management module transforms how agencies handle incidents, from the moment they occur to final resolution.   

  1. Customizable Digital Workflows

Customizable workflows ensure incidents are routed to the right people at the right time. There’s no more chasing paper trails when everything is automated and traceable. 

  1. Real-Time Access

Incident data is accessible via the CleverCAD client, web interface, and tablets. Supervisors in the field can assess and update incidents on the go. 

  1. Data Integrity & Security

Digital records are stored securely and backed up, eliminating the risk of physical loss or damage. 

  1. Field-Ready Tools

Supervisors can use tablets to document incidents, upload photos, and even create intersection diagrams, all while on scene. 

  1. Auto-Populated Fields

When an incident is created from a CleverCAD event, relevant data, such as block ID, operator name, and timestamps, is automatically populated, helping to save time and reduce errors. 

  1. Custom Notifications

Notification templates enable agencies to send targeted alerts to key stakeholders who need to stay informed, ensuring everyone is aware of the same information. 

Beyond the Basics: Enhancing Communication and Clarity 

Incident Management goes beyond the basic functions of paper by incorporating advanced documentation features. We’re continually updating our solution with new functionality, inspired by real-world use case feedback. 

Intersection Diagrams 

Instead of writing lengthy descriptions, users can visually map out incidents using drag-and-drop tools to create custom diagrams. This saves time and adds clarity, and is especially useful for field supervisors documenting the scene of an incident on a tablet. Explore the full details of our Intersection Diagrams feature here.

Photo & Video Uploads 

Supervisors can attach images directly from a mobile device to an incident management report, providing visual evidence to support investigations and reporting. Supported formats include PNG, JPG, and more, with a file size limit of 32MB. 

Check out our blog, New Enhancements in CleverCAD's Incident Management Module, to explore all the new and improved features available in the Incident Management module.

Ditch the Pitfalls of Paper for a Smarter Way 

Paper forms paved the way, but today’s transit operations professionals demand speed, accuracy, and flexibility when it comes to incident management. CleverCAD’s Incident Management module provides a smarter, more secure approach to managing incidents by reducing costs, enhancing communication, and ensuring your team is always aligned. 

Discover additional insights and in-depth features of Incident Management by exploring the other articles in this series:

Ready to modernize your incident management process? Contact us for a personalized demo today.