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The accuracy of collision severity data recorded by event data recorders (EDRs) has been previously measured primarily using barrier impact data from compliance tests and experimental low-speed impacts. There has been less study of the accuracy of EDR-based collision severity data in real-world, vehicle-to-vehicle collisions. Here we used 189 real-world front-into-rear collisions from the Crash Investigating Sampling System (CISS) database where the EDR from both vehicles recorded a severity to examine the accuracy of the EDR-reported speed changes. We calculated relative error between the EDR-reported speed change of each vehicle and a speed change predicted for that same vehicle using the EDR-reported speed change of the other vehicle and conservation of momentum. We also examined the effect of vehicle-type, mass ratio, and pre-impact braking on the relative error in the speed changes.

The accuracy of the speed change reported by Generation 1 Toyota Corolla Event Data Recorders (EDR) in low-speed front and rear-end collisions has previously been studied. It was found that the EDRs underestimated speed change in frontal collisions and overestimated speed change in rear-end collisions. The source of the uncertainty was modeled using a threshold acceleration and bias model. This study compares the response of Generation 1, 2 and 3 Toyota EDRs from Toyota Corolla, Camry and Prius models. 19 Toyota airbag control modules (ACMs) were mounted on a linear sled. The ACMs underwent a series of frontal and rear-end haversine crash pulses of varying severity, duration and peak acceleration. The accuracy and trigger thresholds of the different models and generations of EDRs were compared. There were different accuracy trends found between the early Generation 1 and the more modern Generation 2 and 3 EDRs.