Current methods for the reconstruction of the sequence of events associated with a road accident are based largely on static measurements taken after the accident. DRACO will provide data on the movements of the vehicle and the status of the vehicle systems immediately prior to, during and after impact thus allowing a greatly reduced potential for ambiguity in the reconstruction of all phases of the accident. The use of observations made by eye witnesses is notoriously unreliable. DRACO data will still be supported by the usual observations made currently by the police and accident investigators. DRACO should not be compared to the tachograph because the duration of the recording will be less than five minutes but great 'dynamic' detail will be provided. A brief survey of the likely interests in DRACO data by a variety of end users is given. Some of the social implications of the existence of a DRACO device are also discussed with particular reference to the need to protect the privacy of the driver. The data security is emphasised and the priority need to make the data acceptable in a court-of-law is described. The information structure of DRACO is described with considerable attention being paid to the decision making process which synchronises the recording action to the accident event. As DRACO may be seen as an interface device to existing vehicle design technology, we also discuss some of the compromises that have to be made to produce a DRACO which is realistically affordable to the vehicle owner, including the connection and installation costs, and still satisfy many of the features associated with a quality instrument having a long maintenance-free life.
Samenvatting