NAFE Journal Papers on Forensic Engineering Accident Reconstruction Edition Vol. I Forensic Engineering Collection

Transcription

1 NAFE Journal Papers on Forensic Engineering Accident Reconstruction Edition Vol. I Forensic Engineering Collection Advanced Accident Reconstruction BioMedical Civil Electrical Mechanical Legal/Ethical i

2 NAFE Journal Editor [ ], and Executive Director, E. Joyce Dixon, NAFE Founder NAFE Journal Editor [1999 to date], NAFE Founding President and Executive Director Marvin M. Specter, P.E., L.S., F.NSPE, Hon.M. ASCE 2011 National Academy of Forensic Engineers, NAFE All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of NAFE. ISBN: Material published in this Journal, including all interpretations and conclusions contained in papers, articles, and speeches, are those of the specific author or authors and do not necessarily represent the view of the National Academy of Forensic Engineers (NAFE) or its members. Printed in the U.S.A. ii

3 Preface THE HISTORY AND SOURCES OF THIS PUBLICATION The articles collected herein are reproduced without change from the original printed copies as they appeared in the Journal of the National Academy of Forensic Engineers. The conception in the late 1970 s of an Academy for continuing education and emphasis on competent, ethical practice by engineers in the jurisprudence system was suggested by E. Joyce Dixon, a sociologist and psychologist, and business associate of Marvin M. Specter, P.E., L.S. Mr. Specter then founded and implemented the proposed organization as NSPE President. Formal filing of the new Corporation was made on May 25, 1982, as documented in Journal paper, The Founding of NAFE and its Future, M.M. Specter, P.E., L.S., NAFE Journal, Vol. I, No 1, June, In a later writing, tribute was paid to E. Joyce Dixon, Recollections of Ten Years of NAFE by M.M. Specter, P.E., L.S. in NAFE Journal, Vol. IX, No. 2, December, The idea of a peer reviewed technical journal of forensic engineering practice was part of the original conception of the newly formed Academy. Following the 1983 invitation by NSPE President Specter, ninety of the new members attended the first general meeting and seminar of NAFE, held in January 1984 in San Francisco in conjunction with the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) meeting. The NAFE papers presented were edited by Executive Director E. Joyce Dixon, who conceived the format and produced the first NAFE Journal, June All the Journals up to the time of her death in July 1999 were based on seminar lectures which she authorized as Executive Director and assessed as Editor. These duties were taken over by Founding President Specter after Mrs. Dixon s passing, continuing as such to the present time. In addition, Mr. Specter, as NAFE Technical Review Chairman, has directed the Peer Review process for all the articles since the beginning, including those reprinted and presented in this compilation. In 2010 Laura L. Liptai, Ph.D., proposed that selected articles from the NAFE Journal be reprinted and republished in hard cover format to create a series of educational books on particular topics, beginning with her specialization of Forensic Biomedical Engineering. NAFE Secretary and Past President (2006) Michael Kravitz, P.E. had previously voluntarily proceeded with the task of scanning the Journals to create digital files of all previous Journal titles to distribute to NAFE members. Mr. Kravitz was able to select those titles concerning Forensic Engineering from the database that was created in the mid 1990 s by Joel T. Hicks, P.E. who with Mr. Kravitz anticipated the reprinting of the Journals in hard cover format. Encouragement toward this end has been given by President (2011) E. Smith Reed, P.E. as Publications Committee Chairman and as NAFE President. Particular credit and appreciation is due to those NAFE members and affiliates whose dedicated cooperation and professional inputs as speakers, authors and reviewers have made this possible. iii

4 Forward Forensic Engineering is the application of the art and science of engineering in matters which are in, or may possibly relate to, the jurisprudence system, inclusive of alternative dispute resolution. The National Academy of Forensic Engineers, NAFE, was founded to bring together those professional engineers who have attained substantial experience and recognition in forensic engineering practice. It seeks to improve the practice, elevate the standards, and advance the profession of forensic engineering. Accident reconstruction is the scientific process of investigating, analyzing, and drawing conclusions about the causes and events during a vehicle collision. Forensic Engineers conduct in depth collision analysis to reconstruct and identify the collision causation and contributing factors in various collisions, including the role of the drivers, vehicles, roadway and the environment. The laws of physics and engineering principles such as the conservation of linear and rotational momentum, work energy methods, and kinematics are the basis for these analyses and may make use of software to aid in the calculations and visualization of the event. Accident reconstruction uses rigorous analysis that an expert forensic engineer witness can present at trial. Results from the reconstruction are useful in developing recommendations for making roads and highways safer, as well as improving safety aspects of vehicle design. The reconstructions are conducted by forensic engineers who specialize in the various disciplines of engineering. This collection of papers encompasses examples of Forensic Engineering. The interpretation of physical evidence is an important element in the forensic engineering analysis of causal factors. Insights are gained from forensic analysis of failures from individual incidents that supplement data of the occurrence. Forensic engineering offers insightful solutions to the improvement of human safety. The collection of peer reviewed Journal papers in the area of Accident Reconstruction forensics reflects the diversity of Engineering. NAFE supports this diversity. This collection includes authors from various experience levels, methodological protocols and specialties. Fostering this diversity and periodic non homogenous points of view challenges the thought processes, and in the end, we are better engineers. This collection expresses our appreciation to our colleagues throughout the world who are willing to share their work for educational purpose. iv

5 Table of Contents Title Month Year Page Highway Speed vs. Sideslip (Critical Speed in a Curve) Lindley Manning, P.E. December Forensic Engineering For Automobile Accident Reconstruction Michael Chi, Sc.D., P.E. December Limitations of the A.A.S.H.T.O. Formula for Braking Distances Jack W. Anderson, P.E. December The Application of USDOT Based CRASH Computer Programs CRASH I TRAJECTORY in Forensic Engineering Joel T. Hicks, P.E. June Unique Methods of Visual Presentation With Respect to Accident Reconstruction Frank H. Johnson, Ph.D., P.E. June Nighttime Automobile/Pedestrian Accidents; Driver View: Whence Pedestrian? Harry S. Dixon, PH.D., P.E. December The G. Analyst Accelerometer as a Forensic Engineering Accident Investigation Device* Mark Whelchel, P.E. June Bicycle Accident Reconstruction Techniques June James M. Green. P.E. v

6 Table of Contents (cont.) Title Month Year Page Emergency Braking Response June Stephen E. Draper, Ph.D., P.E. The Development of Seat Belts and an Evaluation of the Efficacy of Some Current Designs John Marcosky, P. E., Jeffrey B. Wheeler and Philip V. Hight, P.E. December ATV Characteristics Affecting Accidents December Frank H. Johnson, CSP, P.E. and Mike Burleson, CSP, P.E. Small Steel Plates on Highway Pavements December Michael Kravitz, P.E. Forensic Engineering Practice In New Zealand June Stephen R. Jenkins, C. Eng. Estimating Train Speed From Braking Distance December John C. Glennon, D. Eng., P.E. and James R. Loumiet Classic Errors in Accident Reconstruction: Real Experts vs. Fakes, Fools, and Frauds June John C. Glennon, D. Eng., P.E. and James R. Loumiet G Force Analysis for Low Speed Rear End Collisions December Gene K. Baxter, Ph.D., P.E. vi

7 Table of Contents (cont.) Title Month Year Page Nighttime Visibility Factors Affecting Traffic Accidents June L Ellis King, D. Eng., P.E. Railroad Highway Grade Crossing Accidents: The Problems December Robert T. Hintersteiner, P.E. The Use of EDSMAC To Simulate Bicycle and Motor Vehicle Collisions December James M. Green, P.E., D.E.E. 3 D Math Model for Vehicle Dynamics Simulations Including Effects of Tires, Suspensions, and Terrain December Donn N. Peterson, P.E. Forensic Engineering Analysis of Damage and Restitution in Low Velocity Impacts December Jerry S. Ogden, M.S., P.E. Forensic Engineers Use of Camcorders in Accident Reconstruction Earl C. Hutchison, P.E., Steve Campbell and Todd Hutchison December Forensic Analysis for Headlights ON or OFF? December W. T. 'Dusty' Yaxley, C.S.P., P.E. vii

8 viii