AIRBORNE TRAJECTORY ANALYSIS DERIVATION FOR USE IN ACCIDENT RECONSTRUCTION. IN: ACCIDENT RECONSTRUCTION: HUMAN, VEHICLE AND ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS. SAE INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS & EXPOSITION, DETROIT MICHIGAN, 1990

This paper presents a unique derivation of airborne trajectory analysis equations from the classical physics equations of uniformly accelerated motion. These trajectory analysis equations are applied to an example problem with realistic real world values. A current widely utilized equation of human trajectory analysis ignores an important cosine function in the calculation of horizontal launch velocity. It is shown that ignoring this cosine function can yield significant error in calculations. A graph is derived from published data on freefall sky diving. This graph can be referenced to adjust calculated velocities for the effects of air drag. It is shown that prior published data which has been widely utilized within the accident reconstruction profession is inaccurate. A simple method for the application of the derived equation and data to real world problems is outlined. The method illustrates that even when the angle of launch and first point of contact with the ground are unknown, good results for launch velocity can be obtained.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/1560910232
• Corporate Authors:

  Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)

  400 Commonwealth Drive
  Warrendale, PA  United States  15096
• Authors:
  • Aronberg, R
• Publication Date: 1990-2

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 135-142
• Serial:
  • Publication of: ENGLISH HISTORIC TOWNS FORUM
  • Publisher: ENGLISH HISTORIC TOWNS FORUM

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Crash reconstruction; Environmental impacts; Human factors; Trajectory; Vehicle characteristics; Vehicle trajectories
• Subject Areas: Environment; Highways; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment; I81: Accident Statistics;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00607812
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 1-56091-023-2
• Report/Paper Numbers: SAE/SP-90-814
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Apr 30 1991 12:00AM