ENERGY METHODS AND DAMAGE ANALYSIS IN TRAFFIC CRASH RECONSTRUCTION

Pre-requisite: You must have completed IPTM’s Traffic Crash Reconstruction Course or its equivalent.

This five-day course will help you become more comfortable in utilizing energy-based methods in your analysis as we examine the underlying science that computer-based “crash” programs rely upon. It is an excellent complement to other training courses that teach you how to use “crash” software.

You will learn to view and analyze crashes from an energy point of view. Explore energy methods beginning with the basic and progressing to more advanced concepts. Discuss the often misunderstood topics of Equivalent Barrier Speed (EBS) and delta-V and you will learn different ways to analyze collisions, such as damage momentum, where a traditional conservation of linear momentum may not be the most appropriate analysis.

We will also explore the topic of crush. Examine the basis of the three familiar energy equations that use crush measurements. Outside projects will provide you with “hands-on” experience in examining and measuring crash vehicles and then calculating damage energy and speeds.

You should have a firm understanding of the topics of traffic crash reconstruction and conservation of linear momentum as well as strong basic math skills.

Topics include:

Standards, measurements and dimensional analysis
Understanding and using conversion factors
Vectors
Damage momenum and crush analysis
Crush measuring protocol and measuring techniques
Outdoor project – interpreting damage and measuring crush
Energy concepts and analysis
Determining appropriate post-impact drag factors
Understanding EBS and delta-V
Introduction to crush and Hook’es Law
Collision analysis using damage momentum
Understanding and determining stiffness coefficients
Damage (crush) analysis
Pole impacts and fracture energy
Using simultaneous equations to solve in-line collisions

Class is strictly limited to 30 students.

Conducted by the New Jersey Division of Highway Safety