NCJ Number
117846
Date Published
1988
Length
268 pages
Annotation
This manual on the fundamentals of traffic accident reconstruction is intended primarily for police officers assigned to traffic accident reconstruction.
Abstract
The text opens with a section that addresses the basic physics necessary to understand the concepts of traffic accident reconstruction. The topics covered include the laws of motion, energy and momentum, kinetic energy, other forms of energy, falling bodies and uniform projectile motion, center of mass, and torque and the summing force. Basic trigonometry and other basic math needed in accident reconstruction are also discussed. The second major section of the manual presents chapters on selected topics. A chapter on time-distance relationships covers mathematical equations pertaining to velocity, time, distance, and acceleration factor. Another chapter instructs the reader in the basic speed equation as well as equations pertaining to kinetic energy and combined speed. Another chapter takes into account the determination of speed should all the wheels not skid due to defective brakes. In this case, a weight-shift analysis (transference of weight to the front axle as the vehicle stops) is used to determine vehicle speed. Other chapters consider the determination of critical speed yaw, lane-change and critical turn-away equations, airborne equations, the conservation of linear momentum, and motorcycle speed estimates. Illustrations, graphs, appended supplementary information.