UNCERTAINTY IN ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION

This article explains the calculation of probability distribution and standard deviation and relates it to the calculation of speed in the investigation of road accidents. The author illustrates the calculation using the coefficient of friction for a dry road. The ranges of values can be expressed as a rectangular block on a graph, covering the entire range; as a histogram showing the full range of precise measurements; or as a smooth curve representing the histogram. Average and standard deviations are then calculated from a formula. Accident investigators tend to adopt absolute minimum or maximum values for any uncertain parameters. If only absolute minimum values are used a biased result may be given in a criminal action which may not be in the defendant's favour.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/09594302
• Corporate Authors:

  INSTITUTE OF TRAFFIC ACCIDENT INVESTIGATORS (ITAI)

  26 STANDISH DRIVE
  RAINFORD, ST HELENS, MERSEYSIDE  United Kingdom  WA11 8JY
• Authors:
  • GREATRIX, G
• Publication Date: 2004

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 37-9
• Serial:
  • IMPACT
  • Volume: 13
  • Issue Number: 2
  • Publisher: INSTITUTE OF TRAFFIC ACCIDENT INVESTIGATORS (ITAI)
  • ISSN: 0959-4302

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Calculation; Crashes; Dispersion (Statistics); Probability; Speed
• ITRD Terms: 1643: Accident; 6464: Calculation; 6512: Dispersion (stat); 6534: Probability; 5408: Speed
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00988528
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD
• Created Date: Apr 4 2005 12:00AM