Animations of Rear-End Collision Prevention Technologies; from Board Meeting of May 1, 2001

Highway Special Investigation Report: [Abstract]

Disclaimer: Simulations presented below used site surveys, scene pictures and vehicle operating characteristics. These depictions represent similar lighting and weather conditions at the time of the accident. The visibility conditions during the incident are approximated in the simulations and may not accurately represent the effects of the sun ball on the windshield at the time of the incident.

Related Software for Plug-ins

These simulations are of an accident that occurred on January 14, 1999, at about 7:45 am, when a tractor semi-trailer was eastbound in the right lane of Interstate 40 near the town of Moriarty, New Mexico, and was traveling at a truck driver reported speed of 75 mph when the truck ran into the rear of a van and then a car.

MPG simulation, driver view (2.9mb) Scenario 1: This is the potential view of the truck driver as he approached at 75 mph with a van in the right lane. The van was going about 25 mph. The view in front on the horizon is that of a sun ball taken within days of the accident.

MPG simulation, aerial view (2.3mb) Scenario 1: An aerial view of the simulation that shows the view of the front of the truck as it approaches at 75 mph and strikes the van, the car and then overturns.

MPG simulation, potential view (2.6mb) with sound; Scenario 2: This is the potential view of the truck driver as he approached at 75 mph with a van in the right lane. In this simulation, a collision warning system is animated and included, as currently designed, to show the lights and audible warnings as the truck approaches. The truck is braked, starting 0.73 seconds after the first audible alert or about 1.27 seconds before the predicted collision. The braking initiates the engine retarder, and the truck is steered left and barely avoids the left rear corner of the van. The truck is then steered into the left lane as it passes the van. The van and car were going about 25 mph.

MPG simulation, aerial view (2.6mb) with sound; Scenario 2: This is an aerial view of the truck driver as he approached at 75 mph with a van in the right lane. In this simulation, a collision warning system is animated and included, as currently designed, to show the lights and audible warnings as the truck approaches. The truck is braked, starting 0.73 seconds after the first audible alert or about 1.27 seconds before the predicted collision. The braking initiates the engine retarder, and the truck is steered sharply left and barely avoids the left rear corner of the van. The truck is then steered into the left lane as it passes the van. As it is steered into the left lane the semi-trailer fishtails. The van and car were going about 25 mph.

MPG simulation, potential view (3.4mb) with sound; Scenario 3: This is the potential view of the truck driver as he approached at 75 mph with a van in the right lane. In this simulation, a collision warning system is animated and included to show the lights and audible warnings as the truck approaches. The system, as animated, was modified to include an audible warning as the first light is activated. About 1.6 seconds after the audible alarm the driver starts to brake and 2.8 seconds after the audible alarm the truck is steered to the left. The truck is then steered into the left lane as it passes the van. This is a relatively easy, stable maneuver. The van and car were going about 25 mph.

MPG simulation, aerial view (3.4mb) with sound; Scenario 3: This is an aerial view of the truck driver as he approached at 75 mph with a van in the right lane. In this simulation, a collision warning system is animated and included to show the lights and audible warnings as the truck approaches. The system, as animated, was modified to include an audible warning as the first light is activated. About 1.6 seconds after the audible alarm the driver starts to brake and 2.8 seconds after the audible alarm the truck is steered to the left. The truck is then steered into the left lane as it passes the van. This is a relatively easy, stable maneuver. The van and car were going about 25 mph.

Footnote: The simulations were produced on an HVEtm System using EDSMAC4tm, EDVDStm, EDVSMtm, and EDGENtm programs. All of the programs are trademarks of the Engineering Dynamics Corporation. The collision warning alerting system was animated using 3D Studio Max by Autodesk and manufacturer provided sound waves from Eaton Vorad Technologies and Jacobs Vehicle Systems™.