Disclaimer: Visualizations presented below used scene and vehicle surveys, witness statements, vehicle operating characteristics, and pictures from the scene. The depictions are not intended to represent actual lighting or weather conditions at the time of the accident

Videos are available in MPEG-1 and were presented at the Board meeting on 11/27/01 in Washington, D.C., for the Glendale, CA Accident Investigation.

Highway Accident Report: [Abstract]
Highway-rail Grade Crossing Accident
Jan 28, 2000

 
  Vehicle Dynamics: Three different visualizations of the tractor-semitrailers path were rendered. The visualizations are intended to illustrate the following information, which is based on information gathered from witnesses:

 Video1GlenWrongTurn (Video = 890K)

1. That the tractor-semitrailer traveled south on Grandview Avenue missed a planned left turn on to San Fernando Road and as a result made an unscheduled rail crossing.

 Video2GlenTurnToStop (Video = 2351K)

2. That after making the unscheduled crossing the driver went around the block, made a right turn onto Grandview Avenue from Air Way, and reapproached the crossing from the south, stopping at the crossing gate for on oncoming train.

  Video3GlenImpact (Video = 890K)

3. After stopping for the oncoming train the tractor-semitrailer proceeded across the tracks, became hung up on the tracks, and was struck on the right side by a westbound train.

The simulations were produced on an HVETM system using SIMON, EDGENTM and ReadDataFileTM. All of the programs are trademarks of the Engineering Dynamics Corporation and Collision Engineering Associate.

Slide Presentation at the 11/27/01 Board Meeting