The Accuracy Analysis of Measurement Tools for Traffic Accident Investigation

Abstract

The objective of traffic accident reconstruction is to recreate the event, which is necessary for analyzing the collision dynamics that is used as evidence in court cases. Traffic accident reconstruction and a demonstration of the event require precise data pertaining to scene measurement. However, there are differences between the individual measuring tools and methods related to traffic accident investigation, just as there are differences between the extent of their use and measurement accuracy. The most commonly applied method is the measuring tape, followed by measurements with total stations and laser rangefinders, while photogrammetry is also becoming increasingly important. The advantages and disadvantages of individual tools and methods affect the required number of investigators, portability, measurement range, applicability depending on the amount of light and weather conditions, on the possibility of remote measurement, on data collection time, on the scope, on the option to later process, the collected data and above all on the accuracy of all gathered data. The latter is crucial for proving the guilt or innocence of traffic accident participants at court, as inaccurate data can lead to an unjust sentence. Measurement accuracy using the above mentioned tools and methods also varies depending on which ones are used, as well as on other factors.

Porovnání vybraných metod měření pro stanovení hloubky deformace vozidla

“…Poskytnuté podklady tak mohou obsahovat pouze omezené množství informací [7]. Časové omezení při sběru dat na místě dopravní nehody se následně může odrazit v nedostatečné dokumentaci místa dopravní nehody, stop, vozidel a v celkové kvalitě dat [18].…”

An Approach to the Automatic Construction of a Road Accident Scheme Using UAV and Deep Learning Methods

“…Data collection at an accident site is of high importance [8]. The police are not always the first to arrive at the scene of a traffic accident.…”

Digital Reconstitution of Road Traffic Accidents: A Flexible Methodology Relying on UAV Surveying and Complementary Strategies to Support Multiple Scenarios

“…Ordinarily, their mission is first of all to assure victims (if any) proper medical assistance and then to secure the crash scene, preserving both property and evidences alike, followed by the traffic re-routing procedures. Afterwards, the investigation procedure starts by identifying and secure evidence, drawing sketches (e.g., vehicles positions and paths, visible traffic signs), take note of on-site conditions (e.g., visibility), take measures and sometimes, acquire photographs for future memory [12]. Besides the foremost objective to preserve life, restoring normal traffic flow to the affected roads is a prime directive, avoiding yet more social and economic impacts.…”

“…Recent photogrammetry methods were boosted by solid and fast pace developments carried out in digital image processing and computer vision. Some feature extraction algorithms-for example, scale invariant feature transform (SIFT) [13] and structure from motion (SfM) analysis [14].Due to its capability of generating wide and detailed digital data sets faithfully portraying real-world sites, photogrammetry has been gradually adopted in many areas of application [12]. One of them is the reconstruction and analysis of road traffic accidents in several projects and countries.…”