Methodology for using advanced event data recorders to reconstruct vehicle trajectories for use in safety impact...

Area of Science:

• Automotive Engineering
• Road Safety Research
• Crash Reconstruction

Background:

• Safety Impact Methodologies (SIMs) traditionally reconstruct crashes from incomplete data.
• Estimating safety benefits of active safety systems requires accurate precrash vehicle movement data.
• Existing methods often infer driver inputs, introducing potential inaccuracies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel methodology for reconstructing precrash vehicle trajectories.
• To utilize advanced Event Data Recorder (EDR) data for improved crash reconstruction.
• To enhance the accuracy of Safety Impact Methodologies (SIMs) for active safety systems.

Main Methods:

• A model was developed using precrash data (steering wheel angle, speed, pedal input) from 2009+ Ford EDRs.
• The model was integrated with PreScan simulation software.
• Model validation was performed using yaw rate and acceleration data from the same EDRs.

Main Results:

• The developed model generally approximated EDR-recorded dynamics.
• Adjustments for surface friction improved simulation accuracy, especially after road departure.
• Simulated road departure crashes demonstrated the method's utility for active safety system analysis.

Conclusions:

• A novel crash reconstruction method using EDR data was demonstrated for SIMs.
• Direct recording of driver inputs by EDRs eliminates inference, improving accuracy.
• Increased EDR data availability due to regulations may make this a valuable, low-cost future method for SIM development.