For an abstract of this report, which was also presented at the international meeting on the simulation and reconstruction of impacts in collisions, Lyons, September 1978, see IRRD abstract no 237050. The paper describes an assessment of the use of the calspan crash program for simple collision reconstruction under European conditions. The program has been tested by checking its predictions for frontal and side impacts against the measured results of controlled collisions for a variety of cars in common use in Europe. Errors in estimates of impact speeds and change of speed during impact introduced by limiting the input data have been made in order to assess the extent to which the program can be used when incomplete 'at-the-scene' data are available. Application of the program to reconstruct accidents investigated at-the-scene over a period of six months has shown the severe limitations on the full use of the program under British conditions. Possibilities for partial application are considered and needs for developing the program are discussed.(a) this paper was presented at the IIIRD international meeting on the simulation and reconstruction of impacts in collisions held at Lyons, 12-13 September 1978, but is not included in the proceedings. For the covering abstract of the conference see IRRD abstract no 237028.
Abstract