Citation

English J. Collision 2007; 2(2): 52-57.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, Collision Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Most collision events have a number of different phases in terms of pre-collision factors, impact and post-impact movements. This makes it challenging to determine the pre-collision speed of a vehicle involved in a serious collision. This paper addresses a potential misuse of the combined velocity equation to calculate pre-impact speed. As with any calculation, the combined velocity equation may set up a potential progressive error in the collision analysis. The author recommends that a realistic range should be used for the delta velocity, and that both high and low values should be used in calculations to determine a speed range at the beginning of braking marks. In some cases, a sensitivity analysis may be done to see how a small change in a variable will affect the final speed calculation.