VELOCITY HISTORIES AS AN ACCIDENT RECONSTRUCTION TOOL

The objective of this paper is to illustrate how the use of velocity diagrams of both vehicle and occupant motion can be of great assistance to the accident reconstructionist. The technique, best applied in the early stages of the reconstruction process, is recommended to (1) reduce the likelihood of arithmetic or equation misapplication errors, (2) permit estimates for such accident parameters as mutual crush and impact duration, and (3) provide insights into the critical issues of the reconstruction. For analyzing occupant motion, reasonably realistic models of compartment response are proposed based on either a cosine model or a model derived from the CRASH computer programs.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Published in Field Accidents: Data Collection, Analysis, Methodologies, and Crash Injury Reconstructions P-159. International Congress and Exposition, Detroit, Michigan, February 25-March 1, 1985.
• Corporate Authors:

  Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)

  400 Commonwealth Drive
  Warrendale, PA  United States  15096
• Authors:
  • Strother, C E
• Publication Date: 1985

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References;
• Pagination: p. 159-183
• Serial:
  • Publication of: Society of Automotive Engineers, Incorporated
  • Publisher: Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Crash reconstruction; Diagrams; Mathematical models; Velocity
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors; I80: Accident Studies;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00452052
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: SAE 850249, HS-039 232
• Files: HSL, TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Jan 31 1986 12:00AM