Symposium on Traffic Safety
June 13-16, 2022

Advanced Investigative Techniques

• Bicycle and Electric Bicycle Performance and Handling for Crash Investigations (Roman Beck)

  Tues. 8 a.m. |  Wed. 1 p.m. 

  - Roman Beck, Beck Forensics, Inc.

  Understanding acceleration, braking and steering rates is important for investigating and reconstructing crashes. These values are especially important when investigating intersection collisions. This presentation addresses appropriate rates for bicycles and electric bicycles and applies those rates in three case studies.

• Disc Air Brakes, Air Supported Anti-Lock Braking Systems and Adjustments for Brake Fade (Scott Skinner)

  Tues. 8 a.m.  |  Wed. 3:15 p.m.

  - Scott Skinner, Collision Reconstructionist ACTAR #654, Collision Consulting and Reconstruction LLC

  This session will cover the configuration of air supported disc brakes and teach you how to calculate disc brake force. We’ll explore air brake supported anti-lock braking systems and the adjustments needed for calculating brake force; brake fade in S cam drum brakes and the needed adjustments to brake force calculations; and disc braking system including the identification of an airbrake systems parts. Lastly, we’ll review the data collected from an anti-locking braking systems electronic control unit.

• Drag Sled Mechanics (Frank Navin)

  Tues. 10:15 a.m.   |  Wed. 10:15 a.m.

  - Professor Frank Navin

  This session will present you with a new approach to the theory of the mechanics of the drag sled, including forces, pulling angle, drag factor and coefficient of friction. It will illustrate the G-G diagram for a Ford Crown Victoria at 50mph and some basic tire properties, and how the drag sled's drag factor is related to the in-line and ABS braking by means of a passenger car's drag factor.

• Faulty Airbag Inflators: A Guide to Investigating the Largest Automobile Recall in History (Richard Gill)

  Wed. 1 p.m.  |  Thur. 8 a.m.

   - Det. Richard Gill, Mesa (AZ) Police Department

  The Takata airbag inflator recall is approaching 100 million inflators and has been tied to 19 deaths and around 450 injuries to date. Although recall efforts have been ongoing since 2013, faulty inflators are still causing harm and new recalls are being issued as data is gathered from reported incidents. Det. Richard Gill will explain why increased recognition and reporting from investigators will benefit not only victims but help identify the total scope and breadth needed for additional recall efforts. He’ll teach you how to recognize potential faulty inflators during an investigation or inspection, best practices for preserving evidence, how to report suspected incidents to NHTSA, what to expect and the subsequent inspection process to investigate inflators.

• Forensic Investigation of Lesser Collision Events (Ed Livesay)

  Tues. 10:15 a.m.  |  Thurs. 10:15 a.m.

   - Ed Livesay, IPTM Adjunct, Ed Livesay & Associates, Inc.

  Most vehicle collision events involve lesser speeds and energy magnitudes, and a significant portion involves fraud. This session will present you with forensic principles, concepts and tools leading to a science-based understanding of lesser magnitude collision events not suitable for the more commonly taught methods involving kinematics, momentum, energy, etc. You’ll learn methods for recognizing and interpreting a variety of evidence, and how to achieve scaled graphic representation and comparison of damage area dimensions and locations.

• How Far Do Headlights Penetrate? (James Sobek)

  Wed. 1 p.m. |  Thur. 8 a.m.

   - James Sobek, P.E., Clearly Visible Presentations, LLC

  James Sobek will review the basic principles and units of photometry and the science of measuring light during this session. He’ll explain how those principles are used to define headlamp performance and how to measure headlight intensity, target reflectance and resultant target brightness in a world where roads are not perfectly flat and headlights are not perfectly maintained. You’ll learn photometric terminology and concepts, and units to describe them; new headlamp technology; and how to use the Inverse Square Law, light meters, and measure headlamp performance.

• Notes on Energy Methods (John Daily)

  Tues. 3:15 p.m.  |  Thur. 10:15 a.m.

   - John Daily, MSME, Jackson Hole Scientific Investigations, Inc.

  This session is designed to help the reconstructionist who wishes to build upon a basic knowledge of energy methods. We will look at the significance of vectors and Newton’s Law of Motion, specifically impulse-momentum. This will be contrasted with the Work-Energy Theorem, wherein we will analyze a force acting through a distance. Examples including a skid, vehicle damage, object damage and a spin to rest will be presented to illustrate how each portion may be analyzed using the appropriate method for each. You will also learn the idea behind Kinetic Energy Equivalent Speeds (KEES)--how such speeds must be combined and Kinetic energy dissipations added.

• Retroreflective Materials for Crash Reconstruction (Jeffrey Suway)

  Tue. 3:15 p.m.  |  Wed. 10:15 a.m.

   - Jeffrey Suway, P.E., J.S. Forensics Consulting, LLC

  During this session, Jeffrey Suway will explore the issues and the regulations surrounding DOT-C2 tape. He’ll explain what it is, how it functions, how you measure the materials, and how to quantify the performance. You’ll learn how to use the complex information in the reconstruction of a nighttime crash analysis.

• A Simulated Look at the Effects of Pedestrian Lateral Velocity on Pedestrian Post-Impact Trajectory (Mike Reade)

  Wed. 3:15 p.m.  |  Thur. 8 a.m. 

   - Mike Reade, IPTM Adjunct, Forensic Reconstruction Specialists, Inc.

  Join Mike Reade for a discussion on how a pedestrian's encroachment velocity affects the pedestrian's post-impact trajectory. He’ll compare the simulated analysis of Virtual CRASH (a physics-simulation software) to accepted reconstruction techniques and use those results to explain the effects of a vehicle’s and pedestrian’s velocity on traditional pedestrian projectile formulas. You’ll also receive the latest research on how to determine and use "Horizontal Speed Loss" at the start of the pedestrian's sliding, tumbling or deceleration component.

• Trailer Crashes and Trailer Dynamics (Marco Garcia)

  Tue. 1 p.m.  |  Wed. 8 a.m.

  - Marco Garcia, U-Haul International

  Marco Garcia will provide you with an overview of common trailer crashes, their causes, and trailer dynamics in this session. He’ll explain hitch system selection, trailer selection, and proper hookup methodology. You’ll learn how to identify if a trailer was properly/improperly loaded, towing components were properly selected, and how to avoid trailer sway.

Crash Testing

• Live, Instrumented Crash Testing
  Wade Bartlett, P.E., Symposium Crash Team Coordinator, will lead IPTM’s team of renowned crash reconstructionists as they conduct staged crashes, gather, and analyze all the data. Full test data will be available after the conference.
• Post-Crash Data Analysis and Review (Crash Team)

  Thur. 8 a.m.  |  Thur. 10:15 a.m.

  Wade Bartlett, P.E. and IPTM’s team of renowned crash reconstructionists will present their findings and analyses of the live, instrumented crash testing during two identical breakout sessions on Thursday morning.

EDR

• Chip-Level Forensics: Recovering Crash Data from Burned and Damaged Passenger Vehicle Airbag Control Modules and EDRs (Jason Zeitler)

  Tue. 1 p.m.  |  Thur. 10:15 a.m.

  - Sgt. Jason Zeitler (Ret.)

  Electronic crash data recorded onto a passenger vehicle’s memory may be inaccessible by traditional imaging methods after fire, water, or other damage to an airbag control module (ACM). Despite the potential damage to the subject module, electronic crash data may still be present on one or more of the on-board components. This session will discuss memory “chip swaps” with ACM/EDRs containing 8-pin memory chips, as well as larger more complicated multi-purpose memories, including a 100-pin chip swap, and both destructive and non-destructive methods.

• EDR in Traffic Crash Reconstruction Update (Richard Ruth)

  Tue. 8 a.m.  |  Wed. 3:15 p.m.

   - Richard Ruth, P.E., Ruth Consulting, LLC

  Join Richard Ruth for a presentation on the current state of EDR in Traffic Crash Reconstruction and recent changes that affect access, coverage and analysis. He’ll explain how the accuracy of speed data has been tightened and provide a general overview of manufacturer specifics. You’ll learn about manufacturer updates, including the new GM SDM50, Advanced Safety Control Module, and Front Camera Module access, as well as the Toyota Vehicle Control History with access to pictures taken by the Toyota Safety Sense system.

• The Traffic Signal as an EDR: Did It Record Your Crash? (Alan Moore)

  Tue. 3:15 p.m.  |  Wed. 10:15 a.m.

   - Alan Moore, P.E., A.B. Moore Forensic Engineering, Inc.

  Many traffic signals now have network connectivity and recording capabilities, and this data can help you reconstruct a traffic crash at and between intersections. Alan Moore, P.E. will explain the different technologies, how municipalities record and preserve data, and how to obtain and interpret it.

• What's New with GM EDRs (Don Floyd)

  Tue. 10:15 a.m.  |  Wed. 1 p.m.

   - Don Floyd, Global CDR Tool and Vehicle Data Expert, General Motors

  Don Floyd will explain which new GM systems are supported by the Bosch CDR tool. You’ll learn the parameters that can be recorded, event recording triggers and overwrite conditions, and the Bosch interface to use with the new supported modules (CANPlus vs CDR 900). He’ll discuss the data collection operations for the Active Safety Control Module, along with data and image handling for the Front Camera Module. The following new systems will be covered: Airbag Control Module - SDM-50, Active Safety Control Module - EOCM1A, EOCM1B, EOCM2, and EOCM3, and Front Camera Module - FCM 2.5 and FCM 3.0

New Technology

• Crash Reconstruction and Highly Automated Vehicles (Alan Moore)

  Tue. 1 p.m.  |  Wed. 8 a.m.

   - Alan Moore, P.E., A.B. Moore Forensic Engineering, Inc.

  Learn the latest on the rapidly changing field of Highly Automated Vehicles, Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, and autonomous vehicles. We'll look at what’s available on current production vehicles; what systems are installed, how they work, and whether they function as intended in an accident. You’ll learn about different technologies; how the Collision Warning and Automatic Emergency Braking affects a reconstruction; and what EDR capability is present and how to obtain it.

• CARFAX for Police Investigations and Traffic Tools (Josh Schultz)

  Tue. 10:15 a.m.  |  Wed. 8 a.m.

   - Josh Schultz, eCrash/Driver Exchange Supervisor, CARFAX for Police

  CARFAX for Police empowers law enforcement agencies to create better protected communities and safer, more efficient agencies. It also offers traffic tools that can help your agency clear the road faster and provide better customer service for your community. Josh Shultz will explain how to use the CARFAX for Police suite of investigative tools; how to save time by using Driver Exchange; and eCrash for reportable accidents.

• The Ultimate Guide to Laser Scanners (Benjamin Molnar, Louis Peck)

  Tue. 1 p.m.  |  Wed. 1 p.m.

   - Benjamin Molnar, P.E., Axiom Forensic/Lightpoint
   - Louis Peck, P.E., Axiom Forensic/Lightpoint

  Join Benjamin Molnar and Louis Peck for an exploration of the comparison data and specs from the most popular scanners on the market (Leica RTC360, Leica BLK360, FARO S350, and Trimble X7) to determine their strengths and weaknesses. You’ll learn how data captured by these machines can be used to elevate reconstruction analyses, discussing photogrammetry, video analysis, simulation, and mesh creation. Lastly, they’ll help you determine which laser scanner is right for you and how to use laser scan data in your reconstructions.

• Vehicle System Forensics (Wesley Vandiver)

  Tue. 8 a.m.

  - Wesley Vandiver, Berla Corporation

  This session will highlight vehicle system data you can acquire and use as key evidence in your cases. He’ll discuss vehicle configuration data, user data, information from connected devices, historical geolocation data, and vehicle events. You’ll learn acquisition methods, how the vehicle system data can be used with other elements (EDRs) and view real-world examples used in court.

• Demonstrative Evidence from Photogrammetry: Showing Maximum Engagement & PDOF in the Courtroom (Mark DiCocco)

  Tue. 3:15 p.m.  |  Wed. 8 a.m.

   - Mark DiCocco, M.S., ACTAR, Forensic Mapping Solutions

  This session will teach you how to create powerful demonstrative evidence from photogrammetry in fatal or serious injury collision reconstructions. Mark DiCocco will teach you how to effectively conduct orbit or circular sUAS flights to capture the damage profile of crashed vehicles; create point cloud models of the crashed vehicles to place them back together at maximum engagement; and define and demonstratively show the PDOF angles of the crashed vehicles with orthomosaics.