Determination and Verification of Equivalent Barrier Speeds (EBS) Using PhotoModeler as a Measurement Tool 2004-01-1208

This study focused on the role of PhotoModeler, a close-range photogrammetry software package, in an important facet of traffic accident reconstruction—vehicle crush measurement. More specifically, this study applied the PhotoModeler process to controlled crash information generated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). A statistical technique known as bootstrapping was utilized to generate distributions from which the variability was examined. The “within” subject analysis showed that 44.8% of the variability is due to the technique itself and the “between” subjects analysis demonstrated that 55.2% of the variability is attributable to vehicle type—roughly half and half. Additionally, a 95% CI for the “within” analysis revealed that the mean difference (between this study and NHTSA) fell between −2.52 mph and +2.73 mph; the “between” analysis showed a mean difference between −3.26 mph and +2.41 mph.