IMPROVEMENT OF ACCIDENT SIMULATION MODEL AND IMPROVEMENT OF NARROW OBJECT ACCIDENT RECONSTRUCTION

The basic objective was to assess the accuracy of the program, Simulation Model of Automobile Collisions (SMAC). This was done by staging three collisions and comparing the SMAC accident reconstructions to the empirical collision data. A second objective was the modification of the SMAC program to improve its accuracy for a narrow rigid object collision. Other objectives included (1) the reconstruction of 15 accidents involving air cushion restraint systems and (2) the incorporation of several modifications to the SMAC program which will increase the utility and applicability of the simulation. The three staged collisions included a 1970 Chevelle impacting a rigid pole, two 1973 Chevelles impacting in a front-to-side T-collision and 2 1973 Chevelles impacting in a front-to-side oblique collision. Each collision was reconstructed using both preimpact and postimpact data to determine the accuracy of the SMAC program. The first staged collision involved a rigid narrow object which required an extensive modification to the original SMAC program. The modified SMAC simulation gave results which correlated exceptionally well with the first collision. The last two collisions were reconstructed using the original SMAC program. Most of the comparison parameters (positions, velocities, accelerations, and damages) from the SMAC reconstruction compared favorably with the results from the staged collision: however, a few did not.

• Corporate Authors:

  Texas Transportation Institute

  Texas A&M University System, 1600 E Lamar Boulevard
  Arlington, TX  United States  76011

  National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • James, MEJ
  • Ross, HEJ
  • Whittington, C
• Publication Date: 1978-4

Media Info

• Pagination: 232 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Air cushion vehicles; Crash injury research; Crashes; Friction; Loss and damage; Mathematical models; Mechanical acceleration; Mineral dislocations; Pavements; Research; Simulation; Tires; Traffic crashes
• Uncontrolled Terms: Motor vehicle accidents
• Old TRIS Terms: Air cushion
• Subject Areas: Highways; Pavements; Research; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00190973
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: DOT-HS-803-620 Final Rpt., FR-3258
• Contract Numbers: DOT-HS-5-01262, DOT-HS-7-01656
• Files: NTIS, TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Apr 12 1979 12:00AM