The value of on scene in-depth accident research studies has been recognized internationally and many countries worldwide have such teams. Since such detailed information is essential for improving the safety of cars, a strong collaboration with automakers developed. This resulted in Germany in a joint project between FAT (Automotive Industry Research Association) and BASt started on July 1999, called "GIDAS" (German in depth investigation accident study). The paper describes the methodology of this project with statistically orientated procedure of data sampling. The paper will describe the process of accident sampling using a random sampling plan, weighting factors and time selection windows for getting a representative sample. All kind of traffic accidents with injury outcomes were investigated in Hanover and Dresden. The team consists of technicians and medical staff. A specific photography interactive digital system is used for true to scale plans of the accident scenery. Crash information is determined from traces on the scene and the deformation pattern is determined for the assessment of energy speed absorption EES. Different calculations are used by the experts. Calculation methods for scientific purposes of the in-depth investigation teams are also explained. The benefit of such comprehensive in-depth-investigation will be shown for an example of multiple collisions of cars by correlation of technical parameters with injury outcome on the characteristics of injury pattern. For the covering abstract see ITRD E825082.
Abstract