A Comprehensive Review of Pedestrian Impact Reconstruction

This paper presents a review on pedestrian impact reconstruction methodology and offers a comprehensive review of the literature. Several types of analyses are discussed which can be used to reconstruct the accident scenario using the facts collected from the scene. Inclusive in this review is the utilization of skid mark analysis, debris analysis, injury/damage match-up, trajectory analysis, nighttime visibility, and alcohol effects. The pedestrian impact reconstruction methodology is illustrated with a real world case example to point out different observations which can provide insight into the pedestrian/vehicle collision reconstruction approach. The literature review provides a broad foundation of information on pedestrian impact reconstruction and can be used to supplement the techniques presented in this paper in areas related to pedestrian impact.

Research advances in the area of pedestrian impact reconstruction are also discussed in this paper. Results from research investigation and experimental studies provide the reconstructionist with statistical information on the pedestrian pre- and post-impact action as well as vehicle impact speed and braking.