Kevin Jones Attends the CDR Data Analyst Certification Course

Kevin Jones of MSC is taking the Crash Data Retrieval (CDR) Data Analyst Certification course in Las Vegas, Nevada, during February 14-18, 2011. His training this week adds to the extensive training and experience he has in using and applying CDR data, which he gained during his work as a Crash Investigator for a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) contractor. Contact Kevin Jones to learn more about his experience and skills.

The main focus of the 2011 CDR Data Analyst Certification course is reading and understanding a Bosch CDR System report and then applying it to a situationally complete accident reconstruction. The course is extensive, and it even includes participants being exposed to data that are not currently available using the Bosch CDR System. For more information on CDR courses, as well as other courses the Collision Safety Institute offers, such as CRUSH, view CSI's course listings online.

Ben Smith Earns ACTAR Accreditation

Ben Smith, who manages MSC of Mississippi and serves as the Principal Technical Analyst, earned his ACTAR (Accreditation Commission for Traffic Accident Reconstruction) in November.

Since his office in downtown Hattiesburg opened in August 2010, Ben has performed work across the US, in areas such as Nevada, Wisconsin, New Mexico, and Kentucky.

MSC Conducts Heavy Vehicle EDR Testing

In conjunction with the Wisconsin State Patrol, DP Plant & Associates, and Fox Valley Technical College, Benjamin Smith of MSC conducted research tests on Heavy Vehicle Event Data Recorders (EDRs) last week. This testing was performed on Mercedes Benz and Detroit Diesel engines and took place at the Fox Valley Technical College driving course in Appleton, Wisconsin.

Over 35 tests were run in an effort to strengthen and supplement current research projects. These tests will be included in a publication to be released in mid-2011. They are part of a larger research effort that has been in operation since early 2009.

MSC thanks Fox Valley Technical College for having generously donated the use of test vehicles, test engines, test facilities, and staff. Smith says, “Our team’s research projects would not be possible without Fox Valley Technical College and their dedication to science and technology.”

MSC’s Ben Smith Attends National Crash Analysis Convention at The George Washington University

Washington, D.C. – MSC's Ben Smith is currently at the National Crash Analysis Convention, at the National Crash Analysis Center at the Virginia campus of The George Washington University. The conference lineup has included lectures and presentations on cutting-edge research being conducted at George Washington University and at the Federal Highway Administration research facility. The following list is a small sample of the presentations.

• “Opportunities for Occupant Protection in Far Side Impacts,” by Dr. Kennerly H. Digges, Mr. Vinay Nagabushana
• “Addressing Narrow Overlap Collisions: FLEE and FREE,” by Mr. Paul Scullion & Mr. Richard Morgan
• “Review of High Speed Rear-End Vehicle-to-Vehicle Crash Test Data from previous tests conducted for the conference,” by Dr. Kennerly H. Digges, Mr. Shaun Kildare, Lawrence Wilson, & Wade Bartlett
• “Guardrail Induced Rollover of Passenger Vehicles,” by Dr. Ken Opiela, Dr. Kennerly H. Digges, & Ms. Ana Eigen
• “Roof Crush and Roof Strength Characteristics from JRS Rollover Testing,” by Dr. Kennerly H. Digges & Dr. Carl Nash

In addition to hearing excellent presentations, Ben had the opportunity to tour the Federal Highway Administration research facilities in Langley, Virginia, tour the research facilities at George Washington University, and take part in live crash testing at the Federal Outdoor Impact Facility. Ben, along with other conference attendees, was able to observe a full-scale crash test involving a vehicle rear-end crash and a concrete barrier crash.

Ben took the images below, which show the crash sequence in one of the test crashes.

Educational Fund Established for the Son of Fallen US Soldier

On 18 August 2010, US Army Sergeant Brandon E. Maggart was killed in action in Basrah, Iraq. Read the report in Military Times.

Sgt. Maggart leaves behind his wife and their three-year-old son, Blake. Sgt. Maggart was killed in action on his son’s third birthday, which was just two weeks before he was due to be rotated home to Kirksville, Missouri. He served the United States in the 5th Battalion, 5th Air Defense Artillery Regiment.

Sgt. Maggart was the cousin of our friend and colleague, Ron Baade of Commonwealth Transportation Consultants. Ron co-teaches with Bill Messerschmidt at the University of Tulsa’s Continuing Engineering and Science Education department.

An educational fund has been established at Bank of America for Blake Maggartt. Those wishing to donate to should do the following.

Make checks payable to the: Blake Maggart Educational Fund

Mail to:
Travis Noe Funeral Home
PO Box 306
Kirksville, MO 63501

We hope you will continue to support the men and women of the United States Armed Forces, as well as their families, as they work to ensure our freedom.

New Anti-Distracted Driving Rules Announced at the 2010 Distracted Driving Summit

US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced at yesterday’s second national Distracted Driving Summit that the federal government is initiating a new rulemaking to limit commercial truck drivers’ use of all electronic devices while hauling hazardous materials, as well as seeking to ban text messaging by all drivers hauling hazardous materials.

These announcements came on the heels of last week’s proposed rulemaking submitted to the White House for final review, which would prohibit all truck drivers from texting while driving. It is likely that this rule will be published in the Federal Register as early as next week, in which case the rule would take effect in late October.

Read more about LaHood's announcements during yesterday's Distracted Driving Summit.

Learn about distracted driving and the summit at DOT's site.

National Two-Second Turnoff Day: Sept. 17, 2010

A lot can happen in two seconds. For example, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, taking your eyes off the road for two seconds doubles your chances of being in a car crash. However, it only takes two seconds to turn off your cell phone before you get behind the wheel.

National Two-Second Turnoff Day takes place tomorrow. The campaign, sponsored by AAA, Seventeen Magazine, and the US Department of Transportation (DOT), urges teens to pay special attention to the risks of distracted driving. Research conducted by AAA and Seventeen found that 86% of male and female teens have driven while distracted, even though 84% admitted they know it's dangerous.

Seventeen Magazine's "Viral Video Challenge,” part of National Two-Second Turnoff Day, is actively helping teens spread the news of the dangers of distracted driving. Winner Emily Langston's anti-distracted driving video, "It Can Wait," will be featured at DOT's 2010 Distracted Driving Summit, in Washington, D.C., on September 21, 2010.

Congratulations to Ms. Langston, AAA, Seventeen Magazine, and DOT for working hard to promote safe driving.

Visit the official US Government website for distracted driving.