Evaluation of Event Data Recorders in Real World Crashes and Full-Scale Crash Tests

With the advent of advanced safety systems in U.S. passenger vehicles, there has been increased interest shown by automakers in recording crash related parameters that ultimately lead to the deployment of these safety systems in what are known as Event Data Recorders (EDRs). Since the only other record of these parameters, specifically crash pulse, comes from staged crash tests in a controlled environment, the advent of the EDR has become increasingly important to crash researchers. The purpose of this study is to quantify the performance of EDRs in full-scale crash tests and real world crashes.

Comparison of EDRs with staged crash tests included 6 General Motors vehicles. The EDRs performed well in staged crash tests reporting delta-V accurately in five of six tests. They were able to report other crash related parameters such as driver seat belt and airbag deployment status accurately in five of six tests as well.

Comparison of EDRs with real world accident reconstructions was performed for 315 General Motors cases and 10 Ford cases from the National Automotive Sampling System Crashworthiness Data System (NASS / CDS) database. Computer generated (WinSmash) values for delta-V showed the tendancy to understimate delta-V for high-speed deployment events and overestimate delta-V for low-speed non-deployment events when compared to the GM EDR. The Ford EDR showed a lack of sufficient recording duration to draw any concrete conclusions on the accuracy of its delta-V value.

Year	Entry
1998	Stucki SL, Fessahaie O. Comparison of measured velocity change in frontal crash tests to NASS computed velocity change. In: Proceedings of the SAE International Congress & Exposition. February 23-26, 1998; Detroit, MI. Warrendale, PA: Society of Automotive Engineers. SAE 980649.
2001	Galganski RA, Donnelly BR, Blatt A, Lombardo LV. Crash visualization using real-world acceleration data. In: Proceedings of the 17th International Technical Conference on the Enhanced Safety of Vehicles (ESV). June 4-7, 2001; Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
2001	Chidester ACB, Hinch J, Roston TA. Real world experience with event data recorders. In: Proceedings of the 17th International Technical Conference on the Enhanced Safety of Vehicles (ESV). June 4-7, 2001; Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
2001	Gabler HC, DeFuria J, Schmalzel JL. Automated crash notification via the wireless web: system design and validation. In: Proceedings of the 17th International Technical Conference on the Enhanced Safety of Vehicles (ESV). June 4-7, 2001; Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
2001	Arai Y, Nishimoto T, Ezaka Y, Yoshimoto K. Accidents and near-misses analysis by using video drive-recorders in a fleet test. In: Proceedings of the 17th International Technical Conference on the Enhanced Safety of Vehicles (ESV). June 4-7, 2001; Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
2001	Mooi HG, Galliano F. Dutch in-depth accident investigation: first experiences and analysis results for motorcycles and mopeds. In: Proceedings of the 17th International Technical Conference on the Enhanced Safety of Vehicles (ESV). June 4-7, 2001; Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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2001	Krafft M, Kullgren A, Ydenius A, Tingvall C. The correlation between crash pulse characteristics and duration of symptoms to the neck: crash recording in real life rear impacts. In: Proceedings of the 17th International Technical Conference on the Enhanced Safety of Vehicles (ESV). June 4-7, 2001; Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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2001	Stewart GR. The role of innovation and statistical methodology in safety assessment projects. In: Proceedings of the 17th International Technical Conference on the Enhanced Safety of Vehicles (ESV). June 4-7, 2001; Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
2001	Barbat S, Li X, Prasad P. A comparative analysis of vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-rigid fixed barrier frontal impacts. In: Proceedings of the 17th International Technical Conference on the Enhanced Safety of Vehicles (ESV). June 4-7, 2001; Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
1998	Melvin JW, Baron KJ, Little WC, Gideon TW, Pierce J. Biomechanical analysis of Indy race car crashes. In: Proceedings of the 42nd Stapp Car Crash Conference. November 2-4, 1998; Tempa, AZ. Warrendale, PA: Society of Automotive Engineers:247-266. SAE 983161.
1998	Krafft M, Kullgren A, Tingvall C. Crash pulse recorders in rear impacts: real life data. In: Proceedings of the 16th International Technical Conference on the Enhanced Safety of Vehicles (ESV). May 31–June 4, 1998; Windsor, Ontario, Canada.1256-1262.

Year

Entry

1998

Stucki SL, Fessahaie O. Comparison of measured velocity change in frontal crash tests to NASS computed velocity change. In: Proceedings of the SAE International Congress & Exposition. February 23-26, 1998; Detroit, MI. Warrendale, PA: Society of Automotive Engineers. SAE 980649.

2001

Galganski RA, Donnelly BR, Blatt A, Lombardo LV. Crash visualization using real-world acceleration data. In: Proceedings of the 17th International Technical Conference on the Enhanced Safety of Vehicles (ESV). June 4-7, 2001; Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

2001

Chidester ACB, Hinch J, Roston TA. Real world experience with event data recorders. In: Proceedings of the 17th International Technical Conference on the Enhanced Safety of Vehicles (ESV). June 4-7, 2001; Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

2001

Gabler HC, DeFuria J, Schmalzel JL. Automated crash notification via the wireless web: system design and validation. In: Proceedings of the 17th International Technical Conference on the Enhanced Safety of Vehicles (ESV). June 4-7, 2001; Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

2001

Arai Y, Nishimoto T, Ezaka Y, Yoshimoto K. Accidents and near-misses analysis by using video drive-recorders in a fleet test. In: Proceedings of the 17th International Technical Conference on the Enhanced Safety of Vehicles (ESV). June 4-7, 2001; Amsterdam, The Netherlands.