In This Issue: Introduction Red Light Cameras In the News More on FORD and Firestone CRASH TEST : Large Pickups ARC Network Lapel Pins Recommended Reading 2001: A Reconstruction Odyssey Welcome New Members Events Test Your Skill About the ARC Network   INTRODUCTION Welcome to Summer 2001. As we talked about in the previous Newsletter, the ARC Network is focusing on the future and ways to continue to grow the network and add new and exciting sections. Some of the most exciting news is that we have just completed an agreement with a company to fund two crash tests over the next year. Many have read about the unexpected trouble we had with the crash test scheduled for March 2001, well, as promised we have researched and found a way to make the crash test even better. Now that we have the funding in place, we are searching for the best place to conduct the crash test and seminar. Please send us any suggestions on what you would like to see, learn about and where you would like the seminar to be conducted. Please e-mail all comments to arc@accidentreconstruction.com The ARC Network as an Organization is steadily growing, but we need everyone's support. If you are not currently a member of the ARC, please consider becoming a member. Not only will you be listed in one of the most viewed Forensic Expert Directories on the Internet, but you will also be supporting the growth of the ARC Network and our ability to continue to provide cutting-edge research and communication - FREE of charge (it is also tax-deductible). Memberships start at just $35. Please visit the membership section of the ARC Network for more information and an application form. Following is the current status of the ARC Network: 391,000 Hits in May 2001 181 Total Members 6 Participating Organizations (CAARS, FARO, NAPARS, SOAR, IAARS, WATAI) Thank you again for supporting the ARC Network. Please read on for the rest of the newsletter....   RED LIGHT CAMERAS By Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, www.highwaysafety.org   STUDY FINDS RED LIGHT CAMERAS YIELD REDUCTIONS IN CRASHES, ESPECIALLY INJURY CRASHES Significant citywide crash reductions followed the introduction of red light cameras in Oxnard, California. This is the key finding of the first U.S. research on the effects of camera enforcement on intersection crashes. The study was conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Injury crashes at intersections with traffic signals were reduced 29 percent after camera enforcement began in Oxnard in 1997. Front-into-side collisions -- the crash type that's most closely associated with red light running -- were reduced 32 percent overall, and front-into-side crashes involving injuries were reduced 68 percent. These results represent more than a single city's success story. They represent solid evidence that red light camera enforcement will reduce crashes at U.S. intersections. Earlier studies showed that cameras reduce the offense of red light running by about 40 percent. But except for a few studies conducted in Australia, there had been little research on how the reduced numbers of violations translated into fewer crashes. Crashes decline at intersections with and without cameras: Crashes declined throughout Oxnard even though only 11 of the city's 125 intersections with traffic signals are equipped with cameras. Previous studies of red-light-running violations in Oxnard and elsewhere found similar spillover effects. That is, the violations dropped in about the same proportions at intersections with and without cameras, attesting to the strong deterrent value of red light cameras and their ability to change driver behavior. The cameras, which are being used to enforce traffic laws in more than 40 U.S. communities, photograph vehicles whose drivers deliberately run red lights. Violators then are ticketed by mail. "Red light cameras provide the certainty of enforcement, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week," the Institute's senior transportation engineer, Richard Retting, explains. "This has changed the way drivers behave with regard to red light running, and now we can document how this behavior change is reducing crashes and injuries. With the well-publicized use of camera enforcement, communities can make signalized intersections much safer." In calculating the crash reductions in Oxnard, researchers used changes in crashes in three other California cities without red light cameras -- Bakersfield, San Bernardino, and Santa Barbara -- as controls. Camera use is widely favored: Oxnard residents favored red light camera enforcement even before it produced positive effects on crashes. Once the enforcement got under way at city intersections, support increased. Similar support prevails nationwide. Opinions about camera use are favorable in communities with and without enforcement programs, according to a recent Institute survey in 10 cities. Despite this support, officials in many U.S. jurisdictions aren't able to implement camera programs. Only nine states (California, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Maryland, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, and Virginia) and the District of Columbia have laws either granting the use of cameras statewide or allowing them in specific communities. Without explicit authorization, camera use may not be possible. "The effectiveness of cameras plus the clear public support for using them should persuade state lawmakers to remove the legal hurdles," says Institute president Brian O'Neill. Related Reading Red Light Cameras: Status Report: IIHS, Vol. 36, No. 4 PDF File (231K) IN THE NEWS: More on FORD and FIRESTONE Every day the ARC Network updates the web site with valuable, important industry news. Following are a few articles from last month.   US now says 203 deaths linked to Firestone tires The number of deaths linked to failures of Firestone tires has climbed by 29 to 203, according to updated figures released by U.S. auto safety regulators on Monday. The new figures were released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration one day before chief executives from Firestone and Ford Motor Co. (NYSE:F - news) answered questions from Congress on the latest developments in the tire saga. There was no new data on complaint information or on injuries, which stood at more than 700 when last reported in February. Most of the fatality and injury figures come from consumer complaint information logged by the NHTSA. Other data has come from safety groups. Bridgestone/Firestone, a unit of Japan's Bridgestone Corp. , recalled 6.5 million tires mostly fitted on the Ford Explorer sports utility vehicle and still on the road after the ATX and certain 15-inch Wilderness tires were linked to fatal crashes. Some of those were rollover accidents. Read the full article   Ford Discloses New Firestone Data Ford Says New Data Show Firestone Tires Failed at Higher Rate Than Goodyear DETROIT (AP) -- Ford Motor Co. officials said Thursday that new information indicates Firestone tires are more prone to tread separations than those made by Goodyear. Firestone officials challenged the report, which was released in advance of Tuesday's congressional hearing to examine the safety of Firestone tires and the Ford Explorer. Ford based its findings on an analysis of government and internal research along with claims data provided by Bridgestone/Firestone Inc. The automaker said that between 1995 and 1997, its Explorer sport utility vehicles were fitted with equal numbers of Firestone and Goodyear tires as original equipment. Ford said there were 1,183 tread separations associated with the 2.9 million Firestone tires, and just two with an equal number of Goodyear tires. Ford said the research indicates the disparity in performance was due to differences in tire construction despite using the same specifications as set out by the automaker. Read the full article   Ford Motor Company's Response to Potential NHTSA Investigation Of the Ford Explorer DEARBORN, Mich., June 8 /PRNewswire/ -- The following was released today by Ford Motor Company and is attributable to Ken Zino, Executive Director of Product Development and Trustmark Communications: We do not think there is any basis to support a separate investigation. We have shared extensive testing information with NHTSA of various models of Ford Explorer, as well as numerous competitive models. Ford's testing, and that of all others known to Ford, confirms that Explorers and other sport utility vehicles have similar performance before, during, and after a tread separation. U.S. Department of Transportation data demonstrates that the occupant fatality rate for Explorer for all types of accidents is 1.1 per 100 million miles of travel, compared with 1.3 fatalities per 100 million miles for other compact SUVs, and 1.5 fatalities per 100 million miles for passenger cars. In other words, the Explorer fatality rate is 27 percent lower than passenger cars overall and 17 percent lower than other SUVs according to government statistics. For all the news in accident reconstruction and automotive safety please visit the News and Information section of the ARC Network. CRASH TEST : Large Pickups Among four large pickup trucks, all 2001 models, the best performer in a 40 mph frontal offset crash test was the Toyota Tundra, which is rated good. By far the worst performer was the Ford F-150, which is rated poor. The Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra is rated marginal, and the Dodge Ram is poor. The crash tests were conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Little intrusion into the Tundra; dummy's movement was controlled: The Toyota Tundra's structure performed well in the offset test. "There was very little intrusion into the occupant compartment, very little deformation. As a result, the dummy's movement was well controlled, and the injury measures all were low except for some moderately high forces recorded on the dummy's right leg," Institute president Brian O'Neill says. Ford F-150 is worst: In contrast, the F-150 "exhibited major collapse of the occupant compartment in the offset test," O'Neill points out. "As a result of this collapse, the dummy's movement wasn't well controlled. High injury measures were recorded on the dummy's head and neck. The airbag deployed late in the crash, and this also contributed to the high injury measures." Click here for complete story and details ARC Network Lapel Pins Only a few days left of FREE SHIPPING Last month The ARC Network offered this exclusive ARC Network lapel pin. For this introductory period we are offering free shipping to those who order by June 30, 2001. But hurry, the deadline is approaching fast for FREE shipping.   1" Steel - Die Stuck Semi Cloisonne Gold Plating 1.2 mm Each pin bears the ARC Network shield and is elegantly detailed with gold lettering. ARC Network lapel pins are FREE to all Gold and Platinum members. If you are not a Gold or Platinum member you can order these for only $8.50 per pin. SHOW YOUR SUPPORT AND ORDER ONE TODAY. FREE SHIPPING - If you order your pin by June 30, 2001 For more information, click here RECOMMENDED READING The ARC Network bookstore is the place to find all of your study material and books on all areas of accident reconstruction. Below are a few of the most popular books that are currently being sold through the ARC Network. Biomechanics of Musculoskeletal Injury by William C. Whiting, Ronald F. Zernicke Hardcover - 273 pages 1st edition (April 15, 1998) Explores the mechanical bases of musculoskeletal injury to understand better the causal mechanisms, the effect of injury on tissues, and how the current knowledge of biomechanics can help prevent injury. Reviews such basics as the concepts of force, stress, stiffness, and elasticity and the mechanics of joints that are subject to disable injury. Then offers details of such injuries as inversion ankle sprains, stress fractures, rotator cuff tears, carpal tunnel syndrome, concussion, and intervertebral disc injuries. Highly illustrated, mostly with line drawings. ORDER NOW Investigation of Road Traffic Fatalities: An Atlas by Michael Graham, Randy Hanzlick, Jay D. Dix Paperback - 128 pages (March 23, 2000) Comprised 75% of horrific b&w photos of road traffic fatalities (RTFs), this atlas is intended for medical examiners/coroners, medico- legal death investigators, and law enforcement personnel responsible for determining the cause, manner, and circumstances of death. Issues considered by three medical examiners/professors of forensic pathology include: who does what, typical RTF injuries, and common but critical investigative mistakes. ORDER NOW Vehicular Accident Investigation and Reconstruction by Donald J. Van Kirk, Donald J. Van Kirk Hardcover - 512 pages (September 26, 2000) Written from the perspective of the sagacious, inveterate investigator who is in the process of passing on his wisdom to his eager pupil, Vehicular Accident Investigation and Reconstruction guides you through every step of performing inquiry and interpretation relating to vehicular accidents. Best of all, because there is no need for the application of higher mathematics, this book is ideal for the budding investigator or the seasoned professional. The materials focus on the skills, education, and information needed for comprehensive analysis of vehicular accidents. Moreover, they identify shortcomings in the present methods of analysis and highlight advances in the field. This unique mentor-student text offers a constant source of reference to such topics as occupant kinematics, the history of safety devices, expert depositions, ethics, unusual cases, and computer simulation , while it thoroughly explains the whats, hows, and whys of investigation and reconstruction. ORDER NOW Please visit the ARC Network Bookstore for all the books on accident reconstruction. Because we have an affiliation with Amazon.com, we offer any other type of book you are looking for. We also offer music CD's, VHS and DVD movies, Electronics and Toys for children. A small percentage of all sales helps support the ARC Network for the same great Amazon.com price. ARC Network Bookstore 2001: A RECONSTRUCTION ODYSSEY Your Key To Collision Investigation For the 21st Century ~ October 11-13, 2001 ~ Concord, California “Education is no Accident” Sponsored by: CA2RS—California Association of Accident Reconstruction Specialists And SOAR—Society Of Accident Reconstruction Co-Sponsors: TAARS—Texas Association of Accident Reconstruction Specialists NAPARS—National Association of Professional Accident Reconstruction Specialists FARO—Forensic Accident Reconstructionists of Oregon Featured Topics Incident Management Roadway Issues A.I. Tool Box (group discussion) Staged Collisions Insurance Fraud Energy Basics “Do’s & Don’ts” Momentum Basics “Do’s & Don’ts” ACTAR CEU’s and CA POST Certification pending ACTAR Test October 14 For More Information Please Contact CAARS caars@hotmail.com The ARC Network helps Non Profit Accident Reconstruction and Engineering Organizations develop a presence on the Internet and promote their organization. For more information on how your organization can become a part of the ARC Network please visit Organizations Section   WELCOME NEW MEMBERS The ARC Network currently has over 180 members and continues to grow each month. We would like to thank all of our members for their support. Following are the newest members (and those returning for a second and even third year) to the ARC Network: John C. Glennon, Jr. Kansas Thomas Tardy Arizona Timothy Smith New York Glen Reuschling Maryland Jack Salling Florida Dale Francis, P.E. Indiana Joseph Hancock Maryland Patrick Sharkey Michigan Don A. Felicella, P.E. Florida David Beals California Dennis Mahar California MEMBERSHIP Become a member of the fastest growing online community developed exclusively for the industry of Accident Reconstruction. Each membership package is tailored to fit your needs and your budget. With close to 400,000 hits to this site each month you can't afford not to participate in this professional organization. "We needed to locate an expert quickly, we were able to do so thanks to your site." Public Defender, California Becoming a member of the ARC Network not only gets you a listing in one of the most visited forensic expert directories on the Internet, it also supports the ARC Network and allows us to continue to provide excellent research and communication FREE of charge to all users of the site. Memberships start at just $35 per year. APPLICATION When you evaluate all the promotion and service we provide to our members, you will quickly see the benefits of becoming a member. Finally, when you compare our prices to that of other web companies, print advertising and distribution lists you realize that the membership packages offered by the ARC Network are very competitive and a great value. Membership Section Expert Directory EVENTS The ARC Network provides an easy way to view and register for many of the seminars, conferences and crash tests available across the United States and Internationally. Below is an overview of coming events. Please visit the ARC Network Events Calendar for a complete listing with additional information.   Computer-Assisted Accident Reconstruction Using SMAC Law 888.2 (4 CEU) July 9-13, 2001 Riverside, CA - UCR: UCR Extension Center, 1200 University Ave. For more information visit: http://www.unex.ucr.edu/catalog/safety.html Traffic Crash Reconstruction July 9-20, 2001 New Braintree, FL For more information visit IPTM www.iptm.org Heavy Vehicle Systems and Inspection July 11th, 2001 Hayward, CA: Alameda-Contra Costa Transit Training Center, 20234 Mack St For more information contact CA2RS Headquarters at 925-284-7739 or CAARS@hotmail.com ACTAR Examination Sunday July 15, 2001 Grand Rapids, MI Registration cutoff 6/29/01 For more information visit ACTAR Speed Determination From Crush Analysis Law 885.5 (4 CEU) July 23-27, 2001 Riverside, CA - UCR: UCR Extension Center, 1200 University Ave. For more information visit: http://www.unex.ucr.edu/catalog/safety.html Inspection and Investigation of Commercial Vehicle Crashes July 23-27, 2001 Jacksonville, FL For more information visit IPTM www.iptm.org Pedestrian/Bike Crash Investigation July 30-August 3, 2001 Orlando, FL For more information visit IPTM www.iptm.org SAE TOPTEC® Advances in Side Impact Test Methodologies and Occupant Protection August 1-2, 2001 Novi, MI: Novi Hilton Hotel Register by Friday, July 13th for Special Early Bird Fee! To register or receive additional information, please contact SAE Professional Development at phone (724) 772-7148; email profdev@sae.org; or visit on-line at http://www.sae.org/calendar/toptecs2.htm#airbag. Investigation of Auto-Ped and Auto-Bicycle Collisions (FARO) August 2-4, 2001 Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue Training Center located in the heart of the Willamette Valley just outside of Sherwood, Oregon. For more information click here Investigation of Motorcycle Crashes August 6-10, 2001 Jacksonville, FL For more information visit IPTM www.iptm.org ACTAR Examination Sunday August 12, 2001 Vancouver BC CANADA Registration cutoff 8/3/01 For more information visit ACTAR The 4th International Conference on Accident Investigation, Reconstruction, Interpretation and the Law August 13 - 16 To be held at the University of British Columbia Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. For more information visit http://www.civil.ubc.ca/AIRIL01.html Inspection and Investigation of Commercial Vehicle Crashes August 13-17, 2001 Lake Worth, FL For more information visit IPTM www.iptm.org CATAIR Conference & Ped/Bike Collision Investigation Course August 19-26, 2001 Fredericton, NB For more information e-mail atlanticrash@ns.sympatico.ca   If you would like to add your event to the ARC Network please e-mail your information to arc@accidentreconstruction.com. There is no charge to be added in our Events Calendar. TEST YOUR SKILL Eastbound Vehicle One collides head-on with westbound Vehicle Two. Neither vehicles moves significantly after impact. A witness traveling behind Vehicle Two said the vehicle was traveling 50 mph at impact. Accident and federal crash test data are as follows: Vehicle 1 Vehicle 2 Curb Weight:   2734 lb [1240 kg] 3175 lb [1440 kg] Driver Weight: 245 lb [111 kg] 210 lb [95 kg] Cargo Weight: 150 lb [68kg] 30 lb [14 kg] Crush Width Entire Front Entire Front Crush depth, C1: 43.5 in. [88 cm] 32.5 in. [83 cm] Crush depth, C2: 35.5 in. [90 cm] 33.5 in. [85 cm] Crush depth, C3: 36 in. [91 cm] 34 in. [86 cm] Crush depth, C4: 36 in. [91 cm] 34.5 in. [88 cm] Crush depth, C5: 36 in. [91 cm] 34 in. [86 cm] Crush depth, C6: 33.5 in. [85 cm] 32.5 in. [83 cm] Crush depths were measured at even intervals across the fronts of both vehicles. Use the following equation to determine equivalent barrier speeds for each vehicle: ebs1 = 1.25*Cavg + 7 (ebs in mph, avg. crush in inches) ebs1 = 0.79*Cavg + 11 (ebs in kmh, avg. crush in cm.) Calculate speed(s) three ways: Assume the witness statement is accurate; calculate the impact speed of Vehicle One using conservation of momentum. Assume the witness statement is accurate; calculate the impact speed of Vehicle One using dissipation of energy. Ignore the witness statement; calculate the impact speed of both vehicles using both conservation of momentum and dissipation of energy. Click here for the answers All Newsletters are archived online. The ARC Network is designed to save one of the most valued commodities: time. The resources of the ARC Network are available twenty-four hours per day, seven days per week. Best of all, the ARC Network is free. Please let us know what you would like to see in the site and how we could make it more valuable to you. After all there is no ARC Network without YOU. Thank you for your time, The Entire Staff of the ARC Network. www.accidentreconstruction.com arc@accidentreconstruction.com ABOUT THE ARC NETWORK The ARC Network stands for Accident Reconstruction Communications Network. We are a web-based professional organization specifically for accident reconstruction and accident investigation. Located on the Internet at www.AccidentReconstruction.com, the ARC Network provides its users with a multitude of communication and research tools that aid in the efficiency and effectiveness of daily case requirements. The ARC Network is created as a "community" which has a look, feel and functionality that individuals and businesses within the industry of accident reconstruction can immediately recognize. Equally important, it is simple, easy to use, and has a low barrier to entry, which is, no new hardware, proprietary software, or other upfront costs. The ARC Network allows users to enter the web site specifically designed for them and their industry and retrieve the information they want as quickly as possible. 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