Citation

Wilson LA, Gilbert M, Godrick DA. Collision 2007; 2(1): 88-113.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, Collision Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This paper describes one of a pair of steering-induced, on-road, untripped rollover tests of sport utility vehicles (SUVs). The physical evidence generated as a consequence of this rollover is identified and documented, followed by an examination of how this evidence is related to the motion of the vehicle during the rollover sequence. The tests were run using the vehicle's own engine and drive train to accelerate the vehicle. A remote radio signal was used to control the accelerator, brake, and steering wheel during the pre-yaw period. The vehicle motion was documented and analyzed during the test using vehicle cameras. Analysis of the vehicle motion was used to determine the cause of the resulting vehicle and roadway evidence. The vehicle speeds and steering inputs that lead to the rollover are presented. The vehicle dynamics during the rollover sequences were also analyzed. The vehicle evidence resulting from the rollover included scratch patterns, tire damage, rim damage, suspension damage, window damage and roof crush. The roadway evidence included pre-roll yaw marks, paint transfers/scrape marks, glass deposits, rim gouges, rim imprints, tire scuffs, vehicle debris and fluid stains. The rollover dynamics include number of rolls, rollover distances, speeds, accelerations, roll rates, yaw angles and yaw rates. The rollover tests for the second vehicle will be examined in a subsequent paper.