Research / Crash Tests

ARC Network Completes First Crash Test for an Upcoming Discovery Channel Special

Phoenix, Arizona, May 12 - The ARC Network (Accident Reconstruction Communications Network - www.accidentreconstruction.com), a web based professional organization for the industry of Accident Reconstruction and Investigation, held it's first crash test on May 5, 1999.

The crash test was held at KARCO Engineering (www.karco.com) in Adelanto, California. The crash involved a side impact between two 4-door sedans. The target car, a Chrysler La Baron, was positioned stationary and at a slight angle. The bullet car, a Pontiac 6000 LS, was head on at 50 mph. Each car also included anthropomorphic test devices (crash test dummies).

The crash test was held in response to an inquiry of KAOS, a film production company. KAOS films for the Discovery Channel and the Learning Channel on cable television. KAOS was tasked with trying to find crash test footage and any information on Accident Reconstruction for an upcoming special they are filming for the Discovery Channel. In their search, they found the ARC Network through a search engine on the Internet. The ARC Network responded by providing an Accident Reconstructionist for a contact and the setup for a staged crash test for the film. According to Scott Baker, creator and owner of the ARC Network, "That is really the whole concept behind the ARC Network. Our goal is to become a true one-stop web site for the industry of Accident Reconstruction. If there is any issue involving this industry simply go to the ARC Network (www.accidentreconstruction.com) and you will either find the answer or be provided with to tools to find the answer."

Also on hand at the crash test were Accident Reconstructionist Charles F. Plemons, Jr., Ken Dale, Emergency Medicine Physician and Bruce Palumbo. Charles Plemons helped coordinate the crash and also provided a narrative on the dynamics of the crash for the filming crew. According to Charles, "Without the help of the ARC Network I would have never had the opportunity to be involved with this project." Ken Dale was particularly interested in the dyamics of the articulated dummies that were placed in each vehicle. Bruce Palumbo, an attorney, also was interested in seeing how crash tests are actually put together and the dynamics of a staged crash.

The ARC Network stated that this is just the beginning of an ongoing series of crash tests. According to Scott Baker, "The ARC Network is working on the details to conduct staged crash tests 4 times per year. We want to provide Accident Reconstructionists and investigators an opportunity to witness staged crashes and be involved in how the data is collected and tested."

Pictures and description of the crash test are available for viewing at the ARC Network web site (Crash Test Photos). The Dicovery Channel program will be aired later this year.

About the ARC Network
The ARC Network stands for The Accident Reconstruction Communications Network. The Accident Reconstruction Communications Network is a web-based organization for the field of accident reconstruction and traffic investigation. The goal of this organization is to provide experts in this field with a multitude of communication and research tools that aid in the efficiency and effectiveness of daily business requirements. It is also our goal to help provide exposure for accident reconstruction experts and to help attorneys, government agencies, insurance companies, etc with a resource to better understand what they need and what they are looking for to best handle their particular case. The ARC Network is an ever growing, never ending area for Accident Reconstructionist to communicate and research.

Contact Information:
The ARC Network - arc@accidentreconstruction.com
Charles F. Plemons - (323) 254-7667
KARCO - (760) 246-1672
Ken Dale, Emergency Medicine Physician - (kenmd@earthlink.net)
Bruce Palumbo - (626) 432-5182 (bbpalumbo@earthlink.net)

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