THE CALCULATION OF MOTOR CAR SPEEDS FROM CURVED TYRE MARKS
The technique of calculating speeds of cornering vehicles from the curvature of their tyre marks is widely used, although misgivings have been expressed over its accuracy, given the way that cornering ability depends on individual characteristics. Experiments have been performed in a range of motor cars to explore these effects, to establish the accuracy of the technique and to draw up a set of guidelines for accident investigators. The conclusions are that the marks must clearly indicate sideslipping and a degree of yaw by the vehicle; that the measurement of radius should be taken directly from the road surface; that only the first part of the mark (usually about 15 metres) need be measured; that the yaw of the vehicle should not be large; and that the speed so found should be reckoned as being that at the start of the marks plus or minus 10%. The characteristics of an individual motor car may affect its ability to achieve a particular lateral acceleration without loss of control, but not the speed indicated by its tyre marks.(a)
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Availability:
- Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00157368
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Corporate Authors:
Forensic Science Society
Clarke House, 18A Mount Parade
Harrogate, North Yorkshire, England -
Authors:
- LAMBOURN, R F
- Publication Date: 1989-11-12
Language
- English
Media Info
- Pagination: p. 371-386
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Serial:
- Journal of Forensic Science
- Volume: 29
- Issue Number: 6
- Publisher: Forensic Science Society
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Accuracy; Automobiles; Calculation; Crash reconstruction; Curves (Geometry); Driving; Handling characteristics; Highway curves; Speed; Tires
- ITRD Terms: 2872: Bend (road); 6464: Calculation; 1243: Car; 6496: Curve (math); 6440: Error; 1621: Reconstruction (accid); 5408: Speed; 1381: Tyre; 1646: Vehicle handling
- Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 00498452
- Record Type: Publication
- Source Agency: Transport and Road Research Laboratory (TRRL)
- Files: ITRD, TRIS
- Created Date: Sep 30 1990 12:00AM