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This paper evaluates the accuracy of different methods for determining the speed change during vehicle-to-vehicle collisions from isolator compression and low-speed barrier data. A controlled regimen of 938 aligned, low-speed collisions was completed, including a series in which collision force data were collected to compare vehicle-to-barrier and vehicle-to-Vehicle Collisions. Five vehicles (four with isolators and one with a foam-core bumper) were tested against a rigid barrier and against each other in collisions below damage threshold. Three methods of assessing the speed change of a low-speed vehicle-to-vehicle collision are evaluated as alternatives to a fourth method: staging collisions with exemplar vehicles. For each of the three methods, the expected accuracy and limitations are presented.

PC-Crash is a Windows™ - based accident reconstruction program developed in Graz, Austria by Dr. Hermann Steffan. PC-Crash collision analysis results are compared with previously published staged collision data. The program uses 2-D or 3-D vehicle geometry to model the pre-impact dynamics, impact engagement, and post-impact trajectories of multiple vehicles and multiple collisions. Steer angle, braking level, friction, and suspension properties at each wheel can be varied. Simulations can be visualized from any angle with the program's built-in 3-D animator. The staged collisions were reconstructed using PC-Crash and the trajectories were compared to actual measurements of the skid marks and rest positions. Vehicle speeds were compared to the PC-Crash predicted values.