Advanced Applications of Heavy Vehicle EDR Data C1901
Topics: Accident Reconstruction
This class will provide the student with the skills, knowledge, and abilities to interpret, analyze and apply Heavy Vehicle Event Data Recorder (HVEDR) data in real world applications. This course has been designed to build on the concepts presented in the SAE course Accessing and Interpreting Heavy Vehicle Event Data Recorders (ID# C1022). Advanced topics will include associating HVEDR data with collision events through timestamps, odometer logs, and data signatures, validating HVEDR speed data using specified vehicle parameters, performing time and distance analyses using HVEDR data, and correlating HVEDR data to physical evidence from the vehicle and roadway. These higher-level techniques and applications are intended to increase student understanding of applying HVEDR data to a crash reconstruction analysis.
This course has been approved by the Accreditation Commission for Traffic Accident Reconstruction (ACTAR) for 13 Continuing Education Units (CEUs). Upon completion of this seminar, accredited reconstructionists should mail a copy of their course certificate and the $5 student CEU fee to ACTAR, PO Box 1493, North Platte, NE 69103
Please note, attendees are required to bring a laptop to this seminar to utilize the electronic handout materials. A hardcopy will not be provided at the class.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:
- Associate HVEDR information to real world crashes based on vehicle configurations, parameters, and incident specific data using timestamps, odometers, logs, and physical evidence
- Evaluate and compare multiple data sets from different vehicle systems (either OEM or aftermarket)
- Establish area of impact and vehicle approach considerations based on HVEDR data and scene measurements from real world examples
- Calculate speed, time and distance based on HVEDR data in combination with the available physical evidence
- Employ advanced analytical techniques for HVEDR information based on peer reviewed research and SAE technical publications
- Document and present HVEDR investigative findings for use in criminal or civil proceedings
Who Should Attend
Engineers and accident reconstructionists who document and analyze crashes involving heavy trucks, tractor-trailers, buses, etc. who need to successfully apply both standard accident reconstruction methodologies and specialized techniques to truck crash analysis will find this course valuable.
Prerequisites
An undergraduate engineering degree or a strong technical background is highly recommended. Individuals should have a basic knowledge of college physics and calculus, an understanding of vehicle systems, accident reconstruction equations, and analysis techniques.
It is strongly recommended that attendees have completed the SAE course C1022 within the last two years prior to taking this course. It is also typically scheduled the week prior to this course in the same location.
You must complete all course contact hours and successfully pass the learning assessment to obtain CEUs.
Wesley Grimes; Bradley Higgins; David Plant; Gregory A. Wilcoxson
Wesley Grimes
Mr. Grimes is President of Collision Engineering Associates, Inc., specializing in accident reconstruction analysis including documenting and analyzing crashes involving heavy trucks and tractor-trailers. He has been in the field of accident reconstruction since 1981. Mr. Grimes served for several years on the SAE Accident Investigation Practices committee and was a co-organizer of the technical paper sessions on accident reconstruction for 10 years, receiving the Forest R. McFarland Award from SAE. He received his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Arizona State University, the SAE Accident Reconstruction Certificate and is a registered professional engineer in Arizona and Louisiana.
Bradley Higgins
Prior to graduation Mr. Higgins was part of a transportation research project involving the development and implementation of a new carpool program at UCSD. Bradley received a B.S. in Structural Engineering from the University of California. After graduating from UCSD in June of 2014, Mr. Higgins joined the accident reconstruction team at Mecanica Scientific Services Corp beginning his career as a research engineer.
Mr. Higgins specializes in accident reconstruction, vehicle dynamics, vehicle testing, computer simulation, and computer aided design. Research topics include vehicular dynamics, vehicular testing and EDR analysis, as well as analyzing data reduction algorithms.
Engineering responsibilities include the systematic collection and analysis of physical evidence and data, including test data and EDR data, to reconstruct transportation collisions. Rapid response to major highway collisions to collect physical evidence and data, including EDR data for preservation and analysis.
David Plant
Mr. Plant is the owner of D. P. Plant & Associates, a forensic engineering firm located in Washington, D.C. He has been active in the field of forensic engineering since 1987 where his experience includes the investigation and reconstruction of motor-vehicle collisions, including collisions involving commercial vehicles of all types. Since 2001, Mr. Plant has been active in the field of imaging the Heavy Vehicle Event Data Recorders (HVEDRs). He is a member of SAE, the author of several SAE papers and has been an invited speaker to a number of conferences around the country on the subject of HVEDR's. Dave obtained B.S. and M.S. degrees in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Maryland.
Greg Wilcoxson
Mr. Wilcoxson is the owner of Wilcoxson Consulting LLC, an accident reconstruction business specializing in commercial vehicle reconstructions and engine control module analysis. Greg is a retired 25-year veteran of Washington State Patrol (WSP) as a trooper-detective. During his law enforcement career Greg worked 14.5 years on the WSP Major Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) and was Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) trained. The day to day caseload with the WSP exposed Mr. Wilcoxson to thousands of collisions. In addition to his SAE Accident Reconstruction Certificate and national accreditation (ACTAR #1218), Greg is an active member in good standing with several local and national accident reconstruction organizations including serving as the current vice president of the Washington Association of Technical Accident Investigators (WATAI). Greg continues his crash training and education by attending and participating in several crash related courses and conferences each year.
