February 07, 2006
Glen Rock, Pennsylvania
April 11, 2003
Disclaimer: Simulations presented below were developed based upon scene and vehicle surveys, passenger statements, vehicle operating characteristics, and pictures from the scene. The depictions do not represent actual lighting and weather conditions at the time of the accident.
Videos were presented at the Board meeting on 2/07/06 in Washington, D.C., for the Glen Rock, PA Accident Investigation.
Vehicle Dynamics In this accident, a dump truck descended a steep hill on a narrow street and collided with four stopped cars. According to the driver of the truck, the truck's brakes failed as he descended the hill and he was unable to stop prior to striking the cars. After striking the cars, the truck traveled across an intersection and thru a gas station parking lot before coming to rest. The simulations shown here were used to determine the speed of the dump truck when it collided with the first stopped car. The results of the simulations indicated that the accident truck was traveling approximately 35 mph when it struck the first car. Three different views of the collision are provided.
ChaseView.wmv
(Video = 1,411K)
The first view shows a chase of the truck from the beginning of the collision until the truck comes to a stop. In the video, the truck is traveling about 35 mph when it strikes the first stopped car. The speed of the truck as it travels thru the gas station parking area is between 11 to 13 mph. (Full Speed)
DriversView.wmv
(Video = 1,407K)
The second view shows the truck driver's potential view from the beginning of the collision until the truck comes to a stop. In the video, the truck is traveling about 35 mph when it strikes the first stopped car. The speed of the truck as it travels thru the gas station parking area is between 11 to 13 mph. (Full Speed)
FixedView.wmv
(Video = 769K)
The third view shows a fixed camera view of the accident sequence. In the video, the truck is traveling about 35 mph when it strikes the first stopped car. The speed of the truck as it travels thru the gas station parking area is between 11 to 13 mph. (Full Speed)