Browse Topic: Accident reconstruction

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Predictive AEB Activation for Secondary Collision Risk Reduction2026-01-0518To be published on 04/07/2026
Although the evaluation criteria of New Car Assessment Programs (NCAP) continue to evolve, they still predominantly focus on one-to-one collision scenarios. However, accident analyses indicate that in real-world traffic environments, particularly at intersections with multi-lane arterial roads, complex situations involving multiple vehicles are common, and there exists a significant risk of secondary side collisions occurring immediately after Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) activation. This study aims to predict and mitigate such secondary collision risks by proposing a control strategy that adjusts braking timing and stopping position based on the motion information of multiple crossing vehicles. A control algorithm was developed to estimate the likelihood of secondary collisions and determine optimal intervention parameters. The proposed system was evaluated using a sensor-equipped test vehicle and numerical simulations. Results demonstrated a tendency to reduce secondary
Kobayashi, Fumiya, Fukuda, Kentaro, TANI, HIROAKI
Curb Impact: Non-linear structural FE analyses in Multibody Dynamics Models2026-01-0219To be published on 04/07/2026
In a few extreme customer abuse load cases such as Curb Impact and Potholes, automotive structures see non-linear (plastic) deformations as well as large rigid body motion. The load cases can be simulated by crash analysis tools such as LS-Dyna or multi-body dynamics analysis tools like Ansys Motion. The crash analysis has a better representation of structural compliances including large deformation with large rigid body motion. However, it requires a well-defined FE model and suspension multi-body models in detail. Furthermore, it takes a long time to get a result. On the other hand, the multi-body dynamics approach is very quick to get a result, while it has a limitation of representing structural compliance. The limitation is true in representing structural non-linearity such as large deformation associated with plastic yielding. In this study, a curb impact simulation was performed using the multi-body dynamic approach with nonlinear structural analysis capabilities included in
Hong, Hyung-Joo, Kim, Wangoo
Determining the Deployment Threshold of Active Head Restraints Through Real World Crashes.2026-01-0533To be published on 04/07/2026
Accident reconstructionists often face the challenge of working with limited information when analyzing a collision. For this reason, every piece of data can be valuable. In this study, we are examining whether the deployment of an active head restraint can provide meaningful insight into the severity of a crash. To do this, the authors will use the Crash Investigation Sampling System (CISS) to identify vehicles involved in collisions where investigators noted the presence of active head restraints and where airbag control module data was available. From these cases, the status of the driver and right-front passenger active head restraints will be determined using the provided photographs. By correlating deployment status with crash severity, this study will estimate the likelihood of active head restraint deployment at varying levels of collision severity.
Fix, Ryan, Rutledge, Bradley
Speed Determination Using Audio of Dash Camera Video from Commercial Vehicle Tires Frequencies for Vehicle Accident Reconstruction2026-01-0536To be published on 04/07/2026
Prior research has validated a reliable method for determining vehicle speed using audio recorded by cameras mounted in vehicles, specifically for rolling passenger vehicle tires. Passenger vehicle tires produce a frequency component directly correlated to vehicle speed when traveling on concrete roadways. However, prior research has not been conducted on audio for rolling commercial vehicle tires, which differ in construction from passenger vehicle tires and therefore produce audio signals on roadway surfaces that passenger vehicles tires did not when tested in the prior study. The current research concluded that commercial vehicle tires rolling on various roadway surfaces also generated a frequency that varied with vehicle speed. The purpose of this study was to outline, test, and confirm the source of the speed-dependent frequency and to develop a validated method for use in forensic applications. A modified version of the passenger vehicle tire equation from prior research was
Vega, Henry V., Cornetto, Anthony, Ngo, Long Justin, Hatab, Ziad, Hunter, Eric
From algorithm to engineering judgment: navigating topology optimization's limits in crash applications2026-01-0189To be published on 04/07/2026
The non-linear nature of crash applications has led to many designs being developed through extensive trial and error based on the intuitions of the design engineer, as such using topology optimization for crash applications can provide major improvements in cost, weight, and passenger safety. Topology optimization is known for creating stiff, lightweight structures, however its application to crash scenarios must be handled carefully. Compliance minimization, the most common optimization objective, can yield misleading designs that prioritize undesirable qualities when developing structures for crash applications. In this paper the design optimization process of a passenger seat assembly subject to both an enforced displacement phase into a crash deceleration phase is discussed Due to the conflicting nature of compliance minimization and enforced displacement, the design was split into two types of regions; sacrificial, which are regions manually designed to absorb the majority of the
Orr, Mathew, Shi, Yifan, Lee, Jake, Gray, Savannah, Park, Taeil, Wotten, Erik, LeFrancois, Richard, Huang, Yuhao, Patel, Anuj, Kim, Hansu, Burns, Nicholas, Jalayer, Shayan, Grant, Robert, Kok, Leo, Hansen, Eric, Kim, Il Yong
The Effects of Collision-Related Power Loss on Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 Event Data2026-01-0548To be published on 04/07/2026
Toyota vehicles equipped with Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) can record detailed information surrounding various driving events. Often, this data is employed in accident reconstruction to better understand the dynamics of a collision. TSS data is comprised of three main categories: Vehicle Control History (VCH), Freeze Frame Data (FFD), and image records. During an event, it is possible that a vehicle undergoes a catastrophic power loss from the damages sustained during the event. In this paper, the effects of a sudden power loss on the VCH, FFD, and images are studied. Events are triggered on a TSS 3.0 equipped vehicle by driving toward a stationary target. After system activation, a total power loss is induced, triggered on the instrument cluster “BRAKE” alert message, at various delays after activation. This testing studies various signals recorded across VCH, FFD and image data including vehicle speed, measured accelerations and time and date. This testing also compares the acceleration
Getz, Charles, Yeakley, Adam, DiSogra, Matthew
Vault-Induced Pitchover Crash Testing of a Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle (ROV)2026-01-0546To be published on 04/07/2026
VVehicle pitchover crashes can result in very severe accelerations and forces. Literature and test data available on pitchover crashes is sparse. This paper presents the results of a full-scale pitchover/rollover crash test using an instrumented vehicle in a controlled and documented off-road environment. The test vehicle was driven to the launch point by an off-board operator using remote steering and throttle controls. The test vehicle then experienced an airborne phase during which forward pitching occurred, followed by a front-to-ground impact which induced additional pitchover motion. Then, following the initial front and rear impacts, the vehicle transitioned from a pitchover to rollover motion before coming to rest. The resulting vehicle motion, vehicle damage markings, and ground markings were documented with various slow motion and real time camera views. The test vehicle was instrumented with accelerometers, rotation rate sensors, and other sensors, the results of which
Warner, Mark, Warner, Wyatt, Swensen, Grant, Perl, Mark
Quantifying the Accuracy of Detecting Lateral Movement Onset for a Selection of Bicycle GPS Computers2026-01-0531To be published on 04/07/2026
Bicycle computers and apps record, at minimum, positional data over time, and this data is commonly used in accident reconstruction to inform the behavior of the bicycle and rider prior to an incident in question. This positional data is primarily calculated using the Global Positioning System (GPS) and thus specific accuracy and precision is not well quantified. To improve this understanding when it comes to relative accuracy of lateral movements, a series of controlled tests were performed and recorded with several commercially available bicycle GPS computers and apps and compared against a RaceLogic VBox 3i ADAS with Real-Time Kinematic corrections from a RaceLogic Base Station. The testing consisted of 5 sets of 15 runs: 15 runs riding down the center of a lane, 15 making a 6 ft lateral left movement, 15 making 12 ft lateral left movements, 15 making 6 ft lateral right movements, and 15 making 12 ft lateral right movements. Each test run was ended with hard braking to a stop to
Sweet, David Michael, Bretting, Gerald, O'Brien, Nathan, Wilhelm, Christopher
Reconstruction of Pedestrian-Vehicle Collisions Using 3D Skeletal Estimation from Vehicle-Mounted Camera Video2026-01-0575To be published on 04/07/2026
Since 2009, pedestrian fatalities caused by traffic accidents in the United States have increased by 78%, exceeding 7,000 deaths annually. To reduce injuries, a deeper understanding of injury mechanisms based on real-world accident data is required. Recently, accident reconstruction techniques utilizing recorded video from vehicle-mounted cameras have gained increasing attention in accident analysis. However, injuries resulting from contact with the road surface are often occluded due to camera blind spots, hindering accurate capture. Additionally, the low frame rate of many vehicle-mounted cameras limits the ability to accurately analyze the detailed kinematics of pedestrian impacts. To address these limitations, this study proposes a reconstruction method that estimates pedestrian motion in occluded regions by matching observed behavior from vehicle-mounted camera recorded video with simulation results. First, to reconstruct three-dimensional pedestrian motion from vehicle-mounted
Onishi, Koji, Wang, Kewang, Uno, Eriko, Ichikawa, Koji, Tanase, Noboru, Ando, Takahiro
Evaluation of PAEB Performance of a GM vehicle using EDR and Ground Truth Data2026-01-0054To be published on 04/07/2026
In order to determine the on-board EDR data recording characteristics of a GM vehicle, a 2023 GMC Sierra Denali was tested in several pedestrian Automatic Emergency Braking (P-AEB) scenarios. Using a variety of test tools, including the STRIDE robotic platform and its onboard data systems, a GPS/IMU installed in the vehicle, and several camera units, the vehicle was put into collision imminent scenarios in which the crash avoidance systems were actuated. The flags in the EDR data, the order in which EDR events were written, and the correlation between the EDR and data recorded by the aforementioned external acquisition systems were examined for each test case. Testing was done in both forward and reverse scenarios and at low speeds only. These results provide a picture of the current state of the additional data available in current EDRs installed on GM vehicles equipped with P-AEB capability, as well as an insight into the accuracy and meaning of that data which should prove
Bartholomew, Meredith, Arnett, Michael, Guenther, Dennis
Benchmarking Driver Responses in Head-On Conflicts: Toward an Objective Protocol for Human and AV Evaluation2026-01-0534To be published on 04/07/2026
Head-on emergency conflicts present a unique challenge for evaluating driver and automated vehicle (AV) performance. Unlike most emergency scenarios that follow a direct stimulus–response sequence, head-on encounters are characterized by a stimulus–wait–response pattern in which time to contact (TTC) strongly shapes driver behavior. Drawing on naturalistic and simulator data, this study quantified human responses to head-on conflicts. When the opposing vehicle crossed the centerline with more than 2 seconds of TTC, drivers delayed braking until an average of 1.3 seconds (SD = 0.8) before impact, regardless of the timing of the intrusion. By contrast, when TTC was less than 2 seconds, braking was initiated only 0 to 1.0 second before impact. As a result, many drivers applied the brakes less than half a second before collision. These findings provide a meta-analytically grounded benchmark for comparing human behavior to AV decision-making processes and demonstrate the need for conflict
Muttart, Jeffrey, Dinakar, Swaroop, Maloney, Tim, Adikhari, Bikram, Gernhard-Macha, Suntasty
Forensic Acquisition and Analysis of Unsupported Lexus Infotainment Modules via CMD42 Bypass and Data Carving2026-01-0540To be published on 04/07/2026
Crashes involving passenger vehicles increasingly include models equipped with infotainment modules that are unsupported by commercial vehicle system forensics hardware and software. Examiners facing these systems must overcome challenges in acquiring and analyzing user data, requiring an understanding of both digital forensics principles and the proprietary characteristics of the modules. This paper presents a novel methodology for acquiring data from previously unsupported Lexus infotainment modules, including techniques to bypass CMD42 security locks on SD cards and extract data in a forensically sound manner. Once acquired, the paper outlines methods for analyzing user data through data carving techniques, enabling recovery of information from binary images even when the full file system cannot be reconstructed. Emphasis is placed on maintaining the integrity of the evidence and validating findings through controlled testing. These validation procedures ensure that the recovered
Burgess, Shanon
Residual “Non-Zero” Speedometer Readings In Crash Tests Using a HYGE Crash Simulation System2026-01-0537To be published on 04/07/2026
The trend among analog speedometer and tachometer instruments in recent decades has been toward stepper motor drives. If power is interrupted during a crash, such gauges often do not return to a zero reading. Speedometers and tachometers displaying residual readings after a crash have been observed with increasing frequency in recent years. In conducting a crash reconstruction, a question often arises as to whether such a residual reading corresponds to the indicated vehicle speed at the time of impact in the crash. Prior publications in this area have included a variety of crash tests under a wide range of relatively uncontrolled conditions. The present investigation evaluated a total of nine instrument clusters with a range of static torque required to move the needles when unpowered. The clusters were mounted on a HYGE crash simulation sled and subjected to consistent impulses at orientations representing frontal, rear, left and right lateral, and left and right oblique impacts
Barnes, Daniel, Duran, Amanda, Walker, James, Kent, Steven, Osterhout, Aaron, Clayton, Aidan
Bias and uncertainty in the time, position, and speed data of consumer-grade GPS devices2026-01-0544To be published on 04/07/2026
The goal of this study is to quantify the accuracy and uncertainty of position and speed measurements acquired by a wide range of consumer-grade GPS-enabled devices while road cycling. We acquired position and speed data simultaneously from 13 consumer devices (e.g., phones, watches, bicycle computers) at their maximum sampling rate (typically 1 Hz) during 10 hours (thirty 20 minute sessions) and 150 km of road cycling in a suburban environment. The position data from these devices were compared to real-time kinematic (RTK) data acquired using a differential GPS system and the speed data from these devices were compared to speed data acquired with high-resolution wheel rotation sensors (23,040 pulses per revolution) synchronized with the RTK data. Based on these comparisons, we generated probability distributions for the errors in the position and speed measured by each of the consumer devices. This study provides foundational data needed to quantify the accuracy and uncertainty across
Booth, Gabrielle R., Mitchell, Alan L., Siegmund, Gunter P.
Sideswipe Impact Analysis Methodology Compared to Crash Testing with Anthropomorphic Test Device2026-01-0532To be published on 04/07/2026
Vehicle-to-vehicle sideswipe collisions are unique in their impact characteristics because the vehicles typically do not reach a common velocity at impact. To better understand the characteristics and dynamics of a sideswipe collision, vehicle-to-vehicle crash testing was performed to find the relationships between variables related to the impact, such as closing speed, relative angle, and overlap depth. This paper discusses data collected for three sideswipe (oblique) impact tests conducted at a testing facility in Buffalo, New York. The tests were conducted using a passenger vehicle as the sideswiping vehicle, which impacted a stationary cargo van. The passenger vehicle was towed into the van at relative angles ranging from 8 to 15 degrees and at velocities of 5 to 20 mph. Two different (but identical) passenger cars and two cargo vans were used during the testing series. Test results were then utilized to investigate a methodology of analyzing sideswipe collisions as a combination
Danaher, David, McDonough, Sean, Donaldson, Andrew, Neale, William, Cochran, Reece
Pre-Crash Characteristics of Motorized Two-Wheeler Crashes on Indian Roads2026-26-00341/16/2026
India has emerged as the world’s largest market for motorized two-wheelers (M2Ws) in 2024, reflecting their deep integration into the country’s transportation fabric. However, M2Ws are also a highly vulnerable road user category as according to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), the fatality share of M2W riders rose alarmingly from 27% in 2011 to 44% in 2022, underlining the urgency of understanding the circumstances that lead to such crashes. This study aims to investigate the pre-crash behavior and crash-phase characteristics of M2Ws using data from the Road Accident Sampling System – India (RASSI), the country’s only in-depth crash investigation database. The analysis covers 3,632 M2Ws involved in 3,307 crash samples from 2011 to 2022, representing approximately 5 million M2Ws nationally. Key variables examined include crash configuration, collision partner, road type, pre-event movement, travel speed, and human contributing factors. The study finds that straight
Govardhan, Rohan, Padmanaban, Jeya, Jethwa, Vaishnav
Conceptual Crash Analysis in Automotive Applications with Reduced Computational Effort2026-26-04511/16/2026
In the realm of automotive safety engineering, the demand for efficient and accurate crash simulations is ever-increasing. As finite element (FE) modeling of components becomes increasingly detailed and the availability of advanced material models improves, crash simulations for full vehicles can become time-consuming. Evaluating the crash performance of any vehicle subsystem requires structural simulations at different levels. While the design and configuration phase deals with a local simulation in representative load cases, full vehicle simulations are required later for a final digital proof of achieved requirements and development targets. This paper introduces a novel methodology for replacing full vehicle crash simulations, as required for a local view on the structural load path development, through segment-models. By adapting segment-model simulations, a significant reduction in computational time and resource usage is achieved, thereby optimizing CPU cluster performance and
Moncayo, David, Malipatil, Anand, Prasad, Rakesh, Kunnath, Allwin
Integrated Evaluation of Pre-Crash Braking and Crash Injury Outcomes Using Human Body Models and ATDs2026-26-00191/16/2026
Traditionally, occupant safety research has centered on passive safety systems such as seatbelts, airbags, and energy-absorbing vehicle structures, all designed under the assumption of a nominal occupant posture at the moment of impact. However, with increasing deployment of active safety technologies such as Forward Collision Warning (FCW) and Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), vehicle occupants are exposed to pre-crash decelerations that alter their seated position before the crash. Although AEB mitigates the crash severity, the induced occupant movement leads to out-of-position behavior (OOP), compromising the available survival space phase and effectiveness of passive restraint systems during the crash. Despite these evolving real-world conditions, global regulatory bodies and NCAP programs continue to evaluate pre-crash and crash phases independently, with limited integration. Moreover, traditional Anthropomorphic Test Devices (ATDs) such as Hybrid III dummies, although highly
Pendurthi, Chaitanya Sagar, THANIGAIVEL RAJA, T, Kondala, Hareesh, Sudarshan, B.Sudarshan, Nehe, Vaibhav, Rao, Guruprakash
A Comparative Analysis of Road Accident Data Collected: A Multi Country Study of Traffic Accidents in India and Western Nations2026-26-02471/16/2026
This paper presents a comparative analysis of road accident datasets from India, the United States, France, and the United Kingdom, utilizing authoritative sources such as Open Government Data (OGD), the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), GOV.UK, and the French Road Safety Observatory. The research aims to uncover cross-country trends and discrepancies in accident reporting practices and assess whether enhanced documentation can contribute to reducing accident frequency. Effectively reducing the incidence of road accidents necessitates a rigorous understanding of their underlying causal mechanisms, which can only be achieved through comprehensive, data-driven analyses of accident records and systematic parameter comparisons with the Integrated Road Accident Database (iRAD). The primary objective is to identify documentation gaps within the Indian context and propose improvements to ensure comprehensive, high-quality data availability for researchers and
Raj, Aswin, Raja, Dheepan, Abhimanyu Shinde, Antriksh
Enhancing Pedestrian Safety: LIDAR-Based Deployment of Front LID/Bonnet and Airbag Systems in Heavy Commercial Vehicles During Low-Speed Collisions2026-26-00061/16/2026
As urban population continues to grow, the safety of Vulnerable Road Users (VRUs) particularly in the presence of Heavy Good Vehicles (HGVs) has emerged as a critical concern. Research indicates that VRUs are at a 50% higher risk of fatal injury in collisions involving HGVs compared to passenger cars. To address this issue, this study proposes a novel pedestrian protection system that integrates LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology with a reusable airbag system to mitigate the severity of collisions. The proposed solution adopts a twofold approach for enhancing VRU protection in scenarios involving HGVs. In both approaches, LiDAR sensors are used to generate a real-time 3D model of the vehicle’s surroundings, enabling accurate VRU detection and predictive collision analysis. Scenario 1: When vehicle speed exceeds the first threshold and a collision is unavoidable, the onboard ECU activates front lid actuators, extending the vehicle's front lid which can be retracted back to
Patil, Uday, Sriharsha, Viswanath, Pillai, Rajiv
Multi-Material Front Structures: A Pathway to Safer and More Sustainable Vehicle Design2026-26-04561/16/2026
Frontal crash structures play a vital role in occupant safety, but traditional designs often involve a trade-off between structural strength and weight efficiency. In the pursuit of safer and more sustainable mobility, this study explores a physics-based methodology that leverages the principle of dynamic equilibrium to guide the integration of dissimilar materials in front-end vehicle structures. Specifically, examined a novel configuration wherein aluminum High-pressure die cast (single HPDC part) is introduced which covers swan neck region as well as the base of the front longitudinal member, while retaining steel in the frontal crush zone. This arrangement aims to redistribute crash loads and control deformation mechanisms, enabling improved energy absorption without compromising structural integrity. To evaluate the proposed strategy, a series of detailed finite element simulations were conducted using LS-DYNA, a widely adopted tool for vehicle crash analysis. The results reveal
Revanth, Goshika, Bhagat, Milind, Joshi, Vikas, Mankhair, Abhijit, Sudarshan, B.Sudarshan, Kollipara, Jahanavi
Sensorless Tire Health Monitoring System based on Machine Learning for Passenger Vehicles2026-26-06701/16/2026
Tire wear progression is a nonlinear and multi-factor degradation phenomenon that directly influences vehicle safety, handling stability, braking performance, rolling resistance, and fleet operational cost. Global accident investigations indicate that accelerated or undetected tread depletion contributes to nearly 30% of highway tire blowouts, highlighting the limitations of conventional wear indicators such as physical tread wear bars, mileage-based service intervals, and periodic manual inspections. These manual and threshold-based approaches fail to capture dynamic driving loads, compound ageing, pressure imbalance effects, or platform-specific wear behaviours, thereby preventing timely intervention in real-world conditions. This work presents an Indirect Tire Wear Health Monitoring System that employs an advanced Machine Learning + Transfer learning architecture to infer tread wear level and Remaining Useful Life (RUL) without relying on any tire-mounted sensors. The system ingests
Imteyaz, Shahma, Iqbal, Shoaib
Leveraging Road Accident Database to Enhance ADAS Features and Testing Protocols in Context of Indian Driving Conditions2026-26-00141/16/2026
ADAS i.e. Advanced Driver Assistance Systems are pivotal towards amplifying road safety by reducing human error and assisting drivers in critical situations. Most major ADAS technologies are developed and validated using data and test scenarios that are predominantly based on the driving conditions and road environments of developed countries. However, in a country like India, where driving behavior, traffic dynamics, road infrastructure, and accident characteristics differ significantly, the ADAS technologies and test scenarios validated by different forums create a critical gap in deploying such systems on vehicles to work on Indian roads. The major aim of this study was to determine and generate India-specific ADAS test scenarios from the Road Accident Sampling System India (RASSI) database, available MoRTH reports, and data from previously executed ADAS test cases. Through this research, we propose a methodology to identify, extract, and analyze accident scenarios pertaining to the
Adhikari, Mayur, Bhagat, Ajinkya, Verma, Harshal, Kale, Jyoti Ganesh, Karle, Ujjwala, Sharma, Chinmaya
Pedestrian Accident ReconstructionR-59010/30/2025
As technology advances, so too must the methods we use to investigate and understand pedestrian collisions. Pedestrian Accident Reconstruction provides a much-needed update to the field—one that reflects the dramatic rise in digital evidence and the growing role of simulation in modern reconstructions. While earlier texts laid the foundation for understanding pedestrian impacts, they were written before the widespread use of video footage, onboard vehicle sensors, and powerful simulation software. This book addresses that shift. It introduces updated methods that incorporate event data recorders, surveillance video, dash cams, and advanced simulation tools like the PC-Crash multibody pedestrian model. These technologies allow for more precise, repeatable, and illustrative reconstructions than ever before. The book highlights when and how simulation can enhance an investigation—especially in complex scenarios such as roof vaults, sideswipes, or collisions that defy conventional
Rose, Nathan, Carter, Neal
Yaw Motion of Motor Vehicles2025-01-50436/20/2025
Vehicular accident reconstruction is intended to explain the stages of a collision. This also includes the description of the driving trajectories of vehicles. Stored driving data is now often available for accident reconstruction, increasingly including gyroscopic sensor readings. Driving dynamics parameters such as lateral acceleration in various driving situations are already well studied, but angular rates such as those around the yaw axis are little described in the literature. This study attempts to reduce this gap somewhat by evaluating high-frequency measurement data from real, daily driving operations in the field. 813 driving maneuvers, captured by accident data recorders, were analyzed in detail and statistically evaluated. These devices also make it possible to record events without an accident. The key findings show the average yaw rates as a function of driving speed as well as the ratio between mean and associated peak yaw rate. Beyond that, considerably lower yaw rates
Fuerbeth, Uwe
Head Accelerations and Concussion Risks in Low-to-Moderate–Speed Rear-End Collisions2025-01-50416/10/2025
Recent studies have investigated head injury metrics, including mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), or concussion risks, in low- to moderate-speed rear-end collisions, with linear and angular head accelerations contributing to the risk of developing a concussion. The present study analyzes head acceleration values in rear-end collisions at an impact severity of 5–30 km/h delta-V. Biomechanical data was obtained from HIII 50th percentile male anthropomorphic test devices (ATDs) seated in the target subject vehicles and utilizing safety restraints and head rests. Concussion risks were calculated from resultant linear and angular head accelerations recorded in the ATDs, and a linear regression model was used to determine what, if any, relationship existed between these head injury metrics and impact severity. The results indicate that there is a significant and positive relationship between head acceleration metrics and impact severity, particularly in the sagittal plane, with F-values
Garcia, Beatriz, Emanet, Hatice Seyda, Hoffman, Austin
Crash Performance Improvement: The Impact of Engine Mount Crash Plates on Achieving a 5-Star Safety Rating2025-01-00855/5/2025
Electric vehicles (EVs) differ from internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles in that they lack a conventional engine and feature an electric drive unit, leading to distinct dynamic behaviours in the powertrain. Additionally, the arrangement of auxiliary components in EVs often differs from that in traditional ICE vehicles, which can sometimes significantly impact safety ratings. This paper examines a case study of a critical failure during a crash test, where displacement of an engine mount arm caused substantial structural intrusion and reduced the vehicle’s safety rating. To address this issue and enhance crashworthiness, a “crash plate” was designed and integrated into the mount system. This solution effectively constrained the mount arm’s movement during impact, preventing the intrusion observed in previous tests. The paper provides a detailed analysis of the crash plate’s dimensions and its relationship to the engine mount, demonstrating its potential for broader application in
Hazra, Sandip, Khan, Arkadip, Mohare, Gourishkumar
The Effects of Collision-Related Power Loss on Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ Event Data2025-01-87134/1/2025
Toyota vehicles equipped with Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) can record detailed information surrounding various driving events, including crashes. Often, this data is employed in accident reconstruction. TSS data is comprised of three main categories: Vehicle Control History (VCH), Freeze Frame Data (FFD), and image records. Because the TSS data resides in multiple Electronic Control Units (ECUs), the data recording is susceptible to catastrophic power loss. In this paper, the effects of a sudden power loss on the VCH, FFD, and images are studied. Events are triggered on a TSS 2.5+ equipped vehicle by driving toward a stationary target. After system activation, a total power loss is induced at various delays after activation. Results show that there is a minimum time required after system initiation in order to obtain full VCH, FFD, and image records. Power losses occurring within this time frame produce incomplete records. Data accuracy is unaffected, even in partial records.
Getz, Charles, DiSogra, Matthew, Spivey, Heath, Johnson, Taylor, Patel, Amit
Examination of the Data Structures of the Bendix® Data Recorder2025-01-87124/1/2025
Bendix® EC-80™ and certain EC-60™ ABS control units contain an event data recorder called the Bendix® Data Recorder (BDR). Raw BDR data is obtained using commercially available software, however, the translation of the raw data into an event report has only been performed by the manufacturer. In this paper, the raw data structures of the commercially available datasets are examined. It is demonstrated that the data follows uniform and repeatable patterns. The raw BDR data is converted into a conventional report and then validated against translation reports performed by the manufacturer. The techniques outlined in this research allow investigators to access and analyze BDR records independently of the manufacturer and in a way previously not possible.
DiSogra, Matthew, Hirsch, Jeffrey, Yeakley, Adam
An Evaluation of the Performance of the Automatic Emergency Braking and Forward Collision Warning System in a 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee during Daytime and Nighttime Conditions2025-01-86984/1/2025
Testing was conducted to evaluate the performance of the 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee’s Forward Collision Warning (FCW) and Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) collision mitigation systems at speeds between 35 and 70 miles per hour (mph). Two different 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee’s were utilized under varying testing conditions in order to evaluate the performance of their collision mitigation systems. A total of 40 tests were conducted: 29 tests were conducted during daytime and 11 tests were conducted at nighttime. Testing measured the Time to Collision (TTC) values of the visual/audible component of the Forward Collision Warning that was presented to the driver. In addition, the testing quantified the TTC response of the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) system including the timing and magnitude of the automatic braking response. The results of the testing add higher speed FCW and AEB testing scenarios to the database of publicly available tests for the 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Harrington, Shawn, Lieber, Victoria, Nagarajan, Sundar Raman
Quantifying the Uncertainty in Bicycle-Computer Speed Measurements2025-01-87014/1/2025
Bicycle computers record and store kinematic and physiologic data that can be useful for forensic investigations of crashes. The utility of speed data from bicycle computers depends on the accurate synchronization of the speed data with either the recorded time or position, and the accuracy of the reported speed. The primary goals of this study were to quantify the temporal asynchrony and the error amplitudes in speed measurements recorded by a common bicycle computer over a wide area and over a long period. We acquired 96 hours of data at 1-second intervals simultaneously from three Garmin Edge 530 computers mounted to the same bicycle during road cycling in rural and urban environments. Each computer recorded speed data using a different method: two units were paired to two different external speed sensors and a third unit was not paired to any remote sensors and calculated its speed based on GPS data. We synchronized the units based on the speed signals and used one of the paired
Booth, Gabrielle R., Siegmund, Gunter P.
Daytime and Nighttime Performance Evaluations of the Automatic Emergency Braking and Forward Collision Warning Systems on a 2020 and 2022 Kia Telluride2025-01-86994/1/2025
Testing was conducted in daytime and nighttime conditions to evaluate the performance of the Automatic Emergency Braking and Forward Collision Warning systems present on both a 2020 and 2022 Kia Telluride. The 2022 Kia Telluride was tested during the day at speeds between 35 and 70 miles per hour, while the 2020 Kia Telluride was tested both during the day and at night at speeds between 35 and 60 miles per hour (mph). The daytime testing of both the 2020 and 2022 Kia Telluride utilized a foam stationary vehicle target. The nighttime testing of the 2020 Kia Telluride utilized a live 2006 Chevrolet Tahoe as the target with the brake lights on. Testing measured the Time to Collision (TTC) values of the visual/audible component of the Forward Collision Warning (FCW) that was presented to the driver. Further, testing also quantified the timing and magnitude of the two-phase response of the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) system. The results of both sets of testing add higher speed FCW and
Harrington, Shawn, Patrick-Moline, Peyton, Nagarajan, Sundar Raman
Validation of SynthEyes for Use in Collision Reconstruction2025-01-86884/1/2025
Accurate reconstruction of vehicle collisions is essential for understanding incident dynamics and informing safety improvements. Traditionally, vehicle speed from dashcam footage has been approximated by estimating the time duration and distance traveled as the vehicle passes between reference objects. This method limits the resolution of the speed profile to an average speed over given intervals and reduces the ability to determine moments of acceleration or deceleration. A more detailed speed profile can be calculated by solving for the vehicle’s position in each video frame; however, this method is time-consuming and can introduce spatial and temporal error and is often constrained by the availability of external trackable features in the surrounding environment. Motion tracking software, widely used in the visual effects industry to track camera positions, has been adopted by some collision reconstructionists for determining vehicle speed from video. This study examines the
Perera, Nishan, Griffiths, Harrison, Prentice, Greg
Evaluation of Several Tesla Dashcam Angles for Model 3 and Y via Reverse Project Photogrammetry2025-01-87004/1/2025
Tesla Model 3 and Model Y vehicles come equipped with a standard dashcam feature with the ability to record video in multiple directions. Front, side, and rear views were readily available via direct USB download. Additional types of front and side views were indirectly available via privacy requests with Tesla. Prior research neither fully explored the four most readily available camera views across multiple vehicles nor field camera calibration techniques particularly useful for future software and hardware changes. Moving GPS instrumented vehicles were captured traveling approximately 7.2 kph to 20.4 kph across the front, side, and rear views available via direct USB download. Reverse project photogrammetry projects and video timing data successfully measured vehicle speeds with an average error of 2.45% across 25 tests. Previously researched front and rear camera calibration parameters were reaffirmed despite software changes, and additional parameters for the side cameras
Jorgensen, Michael, Swinford, Scott, Imada, Kevin, Farhat, Ali
Discrepancies between Metadata and Actual Camera Field of View: A Photogrammetric Approach2025-01-86864/1/2025
Camera matching photogrammetry is widely used in the field of accident reconstruction for mapping accident scenes, modeling vehicle damage from post collision photographs, analyzing sight lines, and video tracking. A critical aspect of camera matching photogrammetry is determining the focal length and Field of View (FOV) of the photograph being analyzed. The intent of this research is to analyze the accuracy of the metadata reported focal length and FOV. The FOV from photographs captured by over 20 different cameras of various makes, models, sensor sizes, and focal lengths will be measured using a controlled and repeatable testing methodology. The difference in measured FOV versus reported FOV will be presented and analyzed. This research will provide analysts with a dataset showing the possible error in metadata reported FOV. Analysts should consider the metadata reported FOV as a starting point for photogrammetric analysis and understand that the FOV calculated from the image
Smith, Connor A., Erickson, Michael, Hashemian, Alireza
An Overview and Testing of Pedal Misapplication Systems2025-01-87054/1/2025
Performance testing was conducted to assess the effectiveness of five different pedal misapplication mitigation (PMM) systems in a simulated PMM scenario. These systems are components of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), which are designed to detect and mitigate inadvertent sudden accelerator pedal misapplications by drivers. A 2023 BMW iX, 2020 Tesla Model 3, 2014 Subaru Forester, 2020 Subaru Outback, and a 2023 Subaru Ascent were tested in a simulated pedal misapplication scenario, whereby the test vehicle's accelerator was quickly depressed with a stationary pedestrian and vehicle target in front of the test vehicle. The testing involved measuring the performance of the respective vehicles' pedal misapplication mitigation systems, including when or if engine/motor output or throttle was limited or reduced, whether a forward collision warning was provided, or if the vehicle automatically engaged braking and/or braked to a stop before contact with the soft targets. Results of
Harrington, Shawn, Takbhate, Shubham Ramraja, Martin, Nicholas, Patrick-Moline, Peyton, Handzic, Dino
High-Speed FCW & AEB Testing of Tesla Model 3's Across Software Updates2025-01-86954/1/2025
A total of 148 tests were conducted to evaluate the Forward Collision Warning (FCW) and Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) systems in five different Tesla Model 3 vehicles between model years 2018 and 2020. The testing occurred across four calendar years from 2020 to 2024. These tests involved testing against stationary vehicle targets, including a foam Stationary Vehicle Target (SVT), a Deformable Stationary Vehicle Target (DSVT), a live vehicle with brake lights, and a SoftCar360 designed for high-speed impact tests. The evaluations were conducted at speeds of 35, 50, 60, 65, 70, 75, and 80 miles per hour (mph) during both daytime and nighttime conditions. The analysis encompassed comparisons of Time to Collision (TTC) at FCW, TTC at AEB, and emergency braking deceleration magnitudes across the different software versions. Testing of the Traffic Aware Cruise Control (TACC) system was also conducted against a stationary target in the Tesla’s lane at a speed of 80 mph. The findings
Harrington, Shawn, Nagarajan, Sundar Raman
A Method for Lens Distortion Correction of Algorithmically Altered Images2025-01-86804/1/2025
Photogrammetry is a commonly used type of analysis in accident reconstruction. It allows the location of physical evidence, as shown in photographs and video, and the position and orientation of vehicles, other road users, and objects to be quantified. Lens distortion is an important consideration when using photogrammetry. Failure to account for lens distortion can result in inaccurate spatial measurements, particularly when elements of interest are located toward the edges and corners of images. Depending on whether the camera properties are known or unknown, various methods for removing lens distortion are commonly used in photogrammetric analysis. However, many of these methods assume that lens distortion is the result of a spherical lens or, more rarely, is solely due to distortion caused by other known lens types and has not been altered algorithmically by the camera. Today, several cameras on the market algorithmically alter images before saving them. These camera systems use
Pittman, Kathleen, Mockensturm, Eric, Buckman, Taylor, White, Kirsten
Dynamic Testing and Analysis of Autocycle Vehicles for Accident Reconstruction2025-01-86874/1/2025
The Autocycle is a style of vehicle that most often utilizes a reverse-tricycle design with two front wheels and a single rear wheel. Modern autocycles in the United States are often utilized in a recreational role. This work presents physical measurements of two modern autocycles for use in accident reconstruction and pursues a deeper understanding of the unique attributes and handling associated with these vehicles. Vehicles were used to measure physical properties and subjected to cornering tests presented herein, and the data is compared to that for a conventional automobile. Observations on tire scuff marks are made from cornering tests unique to these vehicles. Strengths and challenges with this type of vehicle design are presented for various use cases as compared to conventional automobiles. Data and knowledge from this study are published to aid accident reconstruction efforts.
Warner, Wyatt, Swensen, Grant, Warner, Mark
FIT File Processing for Accident Reconstruction2025-01-86964/1/2025
It is becoming increasingly common for bicyclists to record their rides using specialized bicycle computers and watches, the majority of which save the data they collect using the Flexible and Interoperable Data Transfer (.fit) Protocol. The contents of .fit files are stored in binary and thus not readily accessible to users, so the purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the differences induced by several common methods of analyzing .fit files. We used a Garmin Edge 830 bicycle computer with and without a wireless wheel speed sensor to record naturalistic ride data at 1 Hz. The .fit files were downloaded directly from the computer, uploaded to the chosen test platforms - Strava, Garmin Connect, and GoldenCheetah - and then exported to .gpx, .tcx and .csv formats. Those same .fit files were also parsed directly to .csv using the Garmin FIT Software Developer Kit (SDK) FitCSVTool utility. The data in those .csv files (henceforth referred to as “SDK data”) were then either directly
Sweet, David, Bretting, Gerald
An Introduction and Evaluation of Apple iOS Device Data for Use in Crash Reconstruction2025-01-87064/1/2025
The integration of mobile device data in accident/crash/collision reconstruction methodologies offers significant potential in analyzing collision events. This study evaluates the utility of iPhone-recorded data, specifically Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) position and speed data, along with Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) based time and date information associated with application usage and device activity events. By conducting controlled tests, the accuracy, precision, and reliability of iPhone GNSS data were compared against high-accuracy reference systems, including a Racelogic VBox Video HD2 25 Hz GPS data logger and VBox Sport 25 Hz GPS data logger. The synchronicity between recorded app events and device activities with physical events was also analyzed to assess the temporal resolution of the data. Results highlight the strengths and limitations of iPhone data for reconstructing crash events, including potential discrepancies in GNSS accuracy under varying
Burgess, Shanon, Phy, Lance, Levan, Matthew
Decelerations for Vehicles with Anti-Lock Brake Systems (ABS) during Wet-to-Dry Transitions on Asphalt and Concrete Road Surfaces2025-01-87034/1/2025
The braking performance of newer anti-lock braking system (ABS) equipped vehicles on roads with varying wetness levels is not well studied. Two late-model ABS-equipped vehicles were used to perform ABS-engaged braking tests on dry and wet asphalt and concrete surfaces from which vehicle speed and deceleration as a function of time were calculated. Tests were initially conducted on a dry surface before a water truck distributed water onto the road to create a wet road condition. A continuous series of tests were then performed until the road dried and the cycle was repeated multiple times. Across all tests of both vehicles on both road surfaces, deceleration levels generally decreased when the road was wet and returned to dry levels only when less than 25% of the road surface remained wet. Also, wet deceleration levels were high compared to the historical values used for wet roads. These findings provide a useful and readily identifiable boundary between what can be considered a dry and
Miller, Ian, King, David, Siegmund, Gunter
Assessment of Injuries in Rear Impacts2025-01-87274/1/2025
Rear impacts make up a significant portion of crashes in the United States. To date, regulations on rear impacts have focused on fuel system integrity and seat performance, while most research has focused on seat performance in relation to occupants’ injuries, with some analyses of crash severity and seat belt effects. The performance of seats and seat belts may vary depending on the size of the occupant. Understanding how occupant characteristics, as well as crash scenarios, affect injury outcomes can show opportunities for further enhancements in rear impact occupant protection. This paper presents analyses using survey weighted logistic regression models to understand the factors affecting serious injury outcomes (i.e., MAIS 3+) in rear impacts, exploring the potential for improving occupant outcomes. Three separate models are evaluated, focusing on 1) overall injury level, 2) head, neck, and cervical-spine injuries, and 3) thorax, abdomen, thoracic- and lumbar-spine injuries for
Greib, Joshua, Jurkiw, Renee, Kryzaniwskyj, Tanja, Owen, Susan, Van Rooyen, Paul, Whelan, Stacey, Williamson, John
Literature Review and Framework for Identifying Seat Belt Misuse and Misrouting in Frontal Collisions2025-01-87214/1/2025
The effect of seat belt misuse and/or misrouting is important to consider because it can influence occupant kinematics, reduce restraint effectiveness, and increase injury risk. As new seatbelt technologies are introduced, it is important to understand the prevalence of seatbelt misuse. This type of information is scarce due to limitations in available field data coding, such as in NASS-CDS and FARS. One explanation may be partially due to assessment complexity in identifying misuse and/or misrouting. An objective of this study was to first identify types of lap-shoulder belt misuse/misrouting and associated injury patterns from a literature review. Nine belt misuse/misrouting scenarios were identified including shoulder belt only, lap belt only, or shoulder belt under the arm, for example, while belt misrouting included lap belt on the abdomen, shoulder belt above the breasts, or shoulder belt on the neck. Next, the literature review identified various methods used to assess misuse
Gu, Emily, Parenteau, Chantal
Analysis of the Event Data Recorder Vehicle System Data of a GM Vehicle Intelligence Platform Airbag Control Module (SDM50)2025-01-87144/1/2025
The primary function of an Airbag Control Module (ACM), referred to as the Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM) by General Motors (GM), is to detect crashes, discriminate crashes, evaluate crash severities, deploy the appropriate restraints, including airbags and pretensioners, and perform system diagnostics. A secondary function of the SDM is to act as an Event Data Recorder (EDR) which records data during the time periods just prior to (pre-crash) and during a crash event. This data consists of restraint and vehicle system data which is collected, processed, and stored in the EDR. Data stored in the EDR is intended to be retrieved after a crash. This data provides operational information on the vehicle’s occupant protection system and other vehicle systems to assess system performance, aid in crash reconstruction, and support improved vehicle safety. A series of vehicle test maneuvers were conducted while injecting a non-deployment crash pulse directly into the SDM to cause the SDM to
Smyth, Brian, Crosby, Charles L, Bickhaus, Ryan, Smith, James, Edmunds, Dustin, Floyd, Donald, Modi, Vipul, Outlaw, RaShawndra D., Wright, Jeff
Accuracy of Timestamps in Digital and Network Video Recorders2025-01-86904/1/2025
Video analysis plays a major role in many forensic fields. Many articles, publications, and presentations have covered the importance and difficulty in properly establishing frame timing. In many cases, the analyst is given video files that do not contain native metadata. In other cases, the files contain video recordings of the surveillance playback monitor which eliminates all original metadata from the video recording. These “video of video” recordings prevent an analyst from determining frame timing using metadata from the original file. However, within many of these video files, timestamp information is visually imprinted onto each frame. Analyses that rely on timing of events captured in video may benefit from these imprinted timestamps, but for forensic purposes, it is important to establish the accuracy and reliability of these timestamps. The purpose of this research is to examine the accuracy of these timestamps and to establish if they can be used to determine the timing
Molnar, Benjamin, Terpstra, Toby, Voitel, Tilo
The Effect of Tracker and Control Point Distributions on Vehicle Position and Speed Estimates from Dash Camera Video2025-01-86974/1/2025
Dash cameras (dashcams) can provide collision reconstructionists with quantifiable vehicle position and speed estimates. These estimates are achieved by tracking 2D video features with camera-tracking software to solve for the time history of camera position, and speed can then be calculated from the position-time history. Not all scenes have the same geometric features in quality or abundance. In this study, we compared the vehicle position and derived-speed estimates from dashcam video for different numbers and spatial distributions of tracked features that mimicked the continuum between barren environments and feature-rich environments. We used video from a dashcam mounted in a vehicle undergoing straight-line emergency braking. The surrounding environment had abundant trackable features on both sides of the road, including road markings, streetlights, signs, trees, and buildings. We first created a reference solution using SynthEyes, a 3D camera- and object-tracking program, and
Young, Cole, Ahrens, Matthew, Flynn, Thomas, Siegmund, Gunter P.
Validating the Sun System in 3ds Max for Recreating Shadows2025-01-86854/1/2025
Shadow positions can be useful in determining the time of day that a photograph was taken and determining the position, size, and orientation of an object casting a shadow in a scene. Astronomical equations can predict the location of the sun relative to the earth, and therefore the position of shadows cast by objects, based on the location’s latitude and longitude as well as the date and time. 3D computer software includes these calculations as a part of their built-in sun systems. In this paper, the authors examine the sun system in the 3D modeling software 3ds Max to determine its accuracy for use in accident reconstruction. A parking lot was scanned using a FARO LiDAR scanner to create a point cloud of the environment. A camera was then set up on a tripod at the environment, and photographs were taken at various times throughout the day from the same location. This environment was 3D modeled in 3ds Max based on the point cloud, and the sun system in 3ds Max was configured using the
Barreiro, Evan, Erickson, Michael, Smith, Connor, Carter, Neal, Hashemian, Alireza
A Chronology of Research and Events to-Date Significant to Occupant Protection in Rear-End Automobile Impacts2025-01-87254/1/2025
Theory and principles of occupant protection for automobiles in rear-end collisions have experienced significant evolution over the decades. Performance of the seatback, specifically the stiffness of the structure, during such a collision has been a subject of particular interest and debate among design engineers, accident reconstruction experts, critics, etc. The majority of current seat designs rely on plastic deformation of the seatback structure to protect the occupant from the dynamics of the crash. In attempt to highlight and provide background information for understanding this subject, this work highlights significant events, research, and publications over the past five decades to illustrate how this subject, automobile design, government regulation and public opinion has evolved. It is observed that technology and design for improving rear-impact protection has received less attention than collisions of other principal directions of force. The different types of
Warner, Wyatt
A Model for the Design of Automated Vehicle Event Data Recorders2025-01-86784/1/2025
When vehicle accidents occur, investigators rely on event data recorders for accident investigations. However current event data recorders do not support accident investigation involving automated or self-driving vehicles when there is state information that needs to be recorded, for example ADS modes, changes in the ODD that the vehicle operates under, and the various states of vehicle features such as intelligent cruise control, automated lane changes, autonomous emergency braking, and others. In this paper, we propose a model to design new types of event data recorders that supports accident investigations involving automated vehicles when there is state information to be recorded. The model is generic enough to be adapted to any automation level and any set of automated vehicle functional features. The model has been instantiated to a specific ADAS system.
Pimentel, Juan
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