Feasibility of using event data recorders to characterize the pre-crash behavior of drivers in rear-end collisions

Gabler, Hampton C.; Hinch, John

Affiliations

²U.S. DOT / National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, United States

Abstract

This paper investigates the feasibility of using event data recorders (EDRs) to characterize the crash avoidance behavior of drivers involved in rear end collisions. The study is based upon the records of 112 crashes from NASS/CDS 2000-2007 with associated EDR pre-crash data and of sufficient severity to deploy the frontal air bag. The study examined three factors affecting driver response to an impending rear collision: driver age, driver alcohol use, and road lighting condition. Crash avoidance actions of the drivers were inferred from the precrash EDR records of vehicle speed, throttle position, engine speed (RPM), and service brake status five seconds prior to impact. Factors considered included time of brake application prior to impact, peak braking deceleration, and the time history of throttle position. For these cases, this study combined EDR pre-crash records with NASS/CDS case records including scene diagrams and site photos to determine driver crash avoidance actions.

Links

URL: http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/pdf/esv/esv21/09-0452.pdf

Cited Works (1)

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Cited By (4)

Year	Entry
2013	Kusano KD. Methodology for Determining Crash and Injury Reduction from Emerging Crash Prevention Systems in the U.S. [PhD thesis]. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; 2013.
2016	Chen R. Driver Behavior in Car Following: The Implications for Forward Collision Avoidance [PhD thesis]. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; June 1, 2016.
2016	Johnson TR. Fleetwide Models of Lane Departure Warning and Prevention Systems in the United States [Master's thesis]. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; December 7, 2016.
2017	Scanlon JM III. Evaluating the Potential of an Intersection Driver Assistance System to Prevent U.S. Intersection Crashes [PhD thesis]. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; March 24, 2017.