Reconstruction and Analysis of Rollover Crashes of Light Vehicles
For automotive engineers involved in crash reconstruction and analysis, a knowledge of basic accident reconstruction principles and techniques is essential, but often insufficient to answer all of the questions posed by design engineers, regulators, and lawyers. This course takes participants beyond the basics of accident reconstruction to physical models and analysis techniques that are unique to the reconstruction of single-vehicle rollover crashes.
The course begins by discussing the common characteristics and phases of single-vehicle rollover crashes and giving an overview of the test procedures and data available for developing analysis techniques. The course then introduces participants to common types of physical evidence deposited on the roadway and the vehicle during a rollover crash. Participants then learn how to use this physical evidence to reconstruct the motion the vehicle experienced during the crash. Finally, the course introduces the techniques and methods available for analyzing each phase of a single-vehicle rollover crash. This course draws heavily on rollover testing from the literature that has utilized automated steering control and uses these tests to determine the rate of error of common rollover reconstruction techniques. Participants will receive a 200-page book on rollover reconstruction that includes a table summarizing the rate of error of the techniques.
Participants will receive a copy of the SAE book, Rollover Crash Reconstruction, R-475, which was co-authored by the instructor and includes a table summarizing the rate of error of the techniques.
This course has been approved by the Accreditation Commission for Traffic Accident Reconstruction (ACTAR) for 7 Continuing Education Units (CEUs). Upon completion of this course, accredited reconstructionists should mail a copy of their course certificate of achievement and the $5 participant CEU fee to ACTAR, PO Box 1493, North Platte, NE 69103.
This course also qualifies as an elective credit in SAE's Accident Reconstruction certificate program. Please note participants are required to bring a laptop to this course.
What Will You Learn
- Name common characteristics and phases of rollover crashes
- Describe common rollover test procedures and the data they offer for reconstruction
- Identify and document common types of physical evidence from rollover crashes
- Use physical evidence to reconstruct the motion of a vehicle involved in a rollover crash
- Estimate the rate at which a vehicle will decelerate during each phase of a rollover crash
- Calculate the speed a vehicle was traveling during each phase of a rollover crash
- Determine what steering and braking inputs a driver utilized before a rollover
- Quantify the forces applied to a vehicle when it impacts the ground during a rollover
- Analyze the trajectory of an occupant that was ejected during a rollover
- Quantify the rate of error of common reconstruction techniques for rollover