SAE EDR Symposium: Day 2, Session 3

Bill Messerschmidt
Manager
Messerschmidt Safety Consultants

We're into the home stretch of an excellent conference, and the first session after today's lunch is Passenger Car Event Data Recorder (EDR) Applications.

The first speaker is Michael Varat from KEVA Engineering. Mr. Varat is discussing a method of modeling and completing an incomplete crash pulse in passenger vehicle EDR data sets. In this case, the RCM from a Ford captured a portion of the crash pulse, but not the entire pulse. Mr. Varat's presentation uses the techniques for crash pulse modeling, or curve fitting, that are described in his 2000 SAE Technical Paper. This is super cool! Mr. Varat mentioned that the technique he is describing will be the subject of a 2012 SAE paper. I am looking forward to reading it!

The second speaker is Dr. Matthew Craig of NHTSA, who is discussing Advanced Automatic Collision Notification (AACN). The goal is to get the "right person to the right place, at the right time." This means getting those who are seriously injured to a Level 1 Trauma Center. This is extremely important and useful information. Having worked in law enforcement and been a first responder to quite a few crashes, I'm well aware of how difficult it can be for medics and officers to respond appropriately and make good triage decisions. EDR data may be highly beneficial to AACN algorithms. NHTSA is working with the CDC on estimating the benefits of AACN, as well as the implementation of AACN systems to the level of the 911 center.

The third speaker is Tony Reed from TRL in the United Kingdom. Mr. Reed is discussing the EDR experience in the UK. Most EDRs are purpose built Incident Data Recorders and have been used mostly by emergency responders (police, fire, ambulance). Less than 1% of the UK fleet are US vehicles, based on Mr. Reed's research. In spite of the small numbers, TRL has taken a leadership role in EDR data acquisition and analysis in the UK, and has purchased the CDR Tool.

Mr. Reed discussed a case where the Thames Valley Police called on TRL to use the Bosch CDR Tool. (I am jealous by him stating that in the UK, all police agencies use Total Stations and will be moving to 360 degree laser scanners.) The case involves a Chrysler 300 that struck a slow-moving vehicle on the M40, west of London. Mr. Reed was able to cross-check the EDR data using both HVE Software and also with CCTV that was active on the Motorway. Using these techniques, Mr. Reed and TRL were able to validate the EDR, and the striking driver pled guilty to Careless Driving Causing Death, "in the face of overwhelming evidence." Very neat stuff!

Over the last two days, I've had the great pleasure of speaking with Mr. Reed at some length on the subject of electronic tachographs that are mandated by the EU and in use throughout Europe. Seeing the type of data mandated and available in the EU has been very interesting.

The last speaker in this group is Cleve Bare of Exponent, who is discussing the potential issues with Serial Bus latency as pertaining to pre-crash data. Mr. Bare and his colleagues instrumented a test vehicle and demonstrated that the speed shown at Time = -1 occurred at random intervals, evenly distributed at any point in the final second before algorithm-enable. The vehicle speed was accurate to within approximately 1 mile per hour. Their hard braking runs showed wheel slip as would be anticipated in such circumstances.

Visit SAE's page to learn more about the speakers. View the Event Guide for the SAE 2011 Highway Vehicle EDR Symposium (pdf).