This content is not included in
your SAE MOBILUS subscription, or you are not logged in.
A Study of Errors in Yaw-Based Speed Estimates Due to Effective Braking
Technical Paper
2003-01-0888
ISSN: 0148-7191, e-ISSN: 2688-3627
Annotation ability available
Sector:
Language:
English
Abstract
I investigate errors in speed obtained from yaw marks due to braking and other retarding forces (“effective braking”). I calculate precise yaw trajectories (using a 4th order Runge-Kutta approximation) and determine how speed obtained from the Critical Speed Formula (CSF) (based on errorless chord and middle ordinate measurements of the center of mass trajectory) depends on the amount of effective braking and the chord length used for chord middle ordinate measurements.
I calculate the error, defined as the difference between speed at the start of a yaw maneuver and CSF-determined speed, as a function of chord length and effective braking. Consistent with vehicle tests, I find that the error due to effective braking is generally less than 14%. However, additional vehicle tests are needed to allow precise estimates of CSF uncertainty and the range of braking for which the CSF is reliable. Some specific test results necessary to more reliably use the calculations are reliable estimates of the distance between the start of yaw maneuvers and the appearance of yaw marks, and this parameter's dependence on speed, road, and other conditions.
Comparison of my results with vehicle tests indicates that the reliability of the CSF-determined speeds results, to some degree, from the partial cancellation of two errors: 1) Effective braking results in lower speed at the point a vehicle begins leaving yaw marks than at the start of the yaw maneuver; 2) Effective braking causes the CSF to overestimate the speed of the vehicle at the start of the yaw mark (for the chord lengths typically used).
I suggest improvements to yaw tests that will allow more accurate determination of the uncertainty in estimating speed from yaw marks, and allow refinement of yaw measurements to reduce errors.
Recommended Content
Technical Paper | An Analytical Assessment of the Critical Speed Formula |
Technical Paper | Yaw Testing of an Instrumented Vehicle with and without Braking |
Technical Paper | Formulas for Estimating Vehicle Critical Speed From Yaw Marks - A Review |
Authors
Topic
Citation
Cannon, J., "A Study of Errors in Yaw-Based Speed Estimates Due to Effective Braking," SAE Technical Paper 2003-01-0888, 2003, https://doi.org/10.4271/2003-01-0888.Also In
Accident Reconstruction from the SAE 2003 World Congress on CD-ROM
Number: SP-1773CD; Published: 2003-03-03
Number: SP-1773CD; Published: 2003-03-03
References
- Fricke Lynn B. “Traffic Accident Reconstruction,” Northwestern University Traffic Institute 1986
- Brach Raymond M. “An Analytical Assessment of the Critical Speed Formula,” SAE- 970957 1997
- Baxter Albert T. “An Examination of the Critical Speed Problem,” Accident Reconstruction Journal 5 6 May/June 1993
- Shelton Thomas Sgt. “Validation of the Estimation of Speed from Critical Speed Scuff-marks,” Accident Reconstruction Journal January/February 1995
- Lambourn R.F. “The Calculation of Motor Car Speeds from Curved Tyre Marks,” J. Forensic Science Society 29 6 371 386 1989
- Semon Mark “Speed from Yaw Marks” (and references cited) in Thomas L. Bohan and Arthur C. Damask (Ed.)” Forensic Accident Investigation: Motor Vehicles 1 Lexis Legal Publishing Charlottesville, VA 1991
- Bellion Peter “Project Y.A.M. (Yaw Analysis Methodology) Vehicle Testing and Findings– Victoria Police, Accident Investigation Section,” SAE-97055 1997
- Hink C.D. “Critical Speed Tests,” Washington Association of Technical Accident Investigators Seattle, WA 1983 6 185 186
- Lambourn R.F. email communication to Joel W. Cannon Dec. 6 2002
- Press W. H. Flannery Brian P. Teukolsky Saul A. Vetterling William T. Numerical Recipes in C: The Art of Scientific Computing 569 Cambridge 1988
- Lambourn R.F. email communication to Joel W. Cannon Sept. 3 2002 The length was not recorded but Lambourn recalls it being in excess of 6 meters