SMACITER^TM  Automatic Iteration of M-SMAC  last update 07/29/2007

As part of our research related to the Automatic Iteration of SMAC:

• Information on paper SMAC2003 - The Automatic Iteration of SMAC published and presented March 4, 2003

• The SMAC2003 presentation

• McHenry Software Users can try it NOW!  see below for details

What is SMACITER?

In prior studies researchers were interested in automating the process by which SMAC is used to reconstruct an accident. As any user of SMAC is aware, SMAC requires an initial approximation of the impact speeds and positions of impact. And with SMAC you can sometimes get close by 'engineering standards' but then sometimes spend hours or days on iterative runs try to match 'as best as possible' the physical evidence.

The prior research was constrained by computer time and resources. The prior research projects were performed on mainframe computers where all use of computers included payment for CPU time and memory resources. SMAC computer runs on mainframe computers normally took 5-10 minutes or so and required 600K or so of memory (an expensive and computational intensive demand for computers at that time!). Therefore the research was extremely constrained in number of runs performed to iterate to a solution due to budget concerns.

Today with gigahertz Pentium computers and unlimited memory, aside from the initial cost of the computer, the cost per SMAC run is virtually free and the time for a run is measured in seconds rather than minutes. The expense for a SMAC run is the time and effort required to iterate SMAC to an acceptable solution. Therefore with the creation of an intelligent iterative procedure which can quickly and efficiently iterate to the 'best match' of the physical evidence, we are entering a new phase of accident reconstruction.

How will SMACITER help?

Quickly and efficiently you can use the iterative procedure to determine the best match for a given set of inputs and then test your reconstruction with various constraints (e.g., limit certain vehicle speeds, make certain assumptions for inputs, etc.).

Currently with this program we automatically iterate the speeds and impact positions of a SMAC run to try to match as best as possible the target damage measurements and Positions of Rest.

What is needed to run SMACITER?

• Trajectory measurements
  • The approximate positions and orientations of the vehicles at impact
  • The measured positions and orientations of the vehicles at rest
• Damage measurements:
  • Damage width
  • Damage depth
  • Damage area
• Vehicle Information
  • Information on driveline drag, damage effects and steering effects
  • Vehicle types, makes, model, approximations of vehicle loading

This is all the information normally created to setup a m-smac  input file. Additional inputs have been added  which includes the damage measurements, the positions of impact and rest (see m-smac input cards 80, 85 and 87  ). The program can then be used to quickly and efficiently test the sensitivity of various variables on the match of the physical evidence. 

Please let us know if you would be interested in this technology. We are interested in feedback you have on the topic. Please email us with your questions and/or comments.

We published and presented our research results at the 2003 SAE International Congress in a paper entitled SMAC2003- The Automatic Iteration of SMAC

McHenry Software Users can try it NOW!

• Exclusive for m-smac licensed uses. We are completing development. This is a beta exercise. It helps you by saving TIME! It helps us check for problems with SMACITER. Send us your cases and we will get you correlation fast and efficiently!

• The Tweaker - send us an m-smac run with targets, and we will get you closer! Guaranteed!

  • Uses?
    • Your SMAC run is a good match with the evidence, you want to get a great match!
    • You setup SMAC and know the approximate speeds, let SMACITER refine the run.
    • You want to test the effects of changing a variable on the results (intervehicle coefficient, drag factors, vehicle stiffness)
    • Save TIME! No need to spend valuable time on tweaking. SMACITER does it for you!
  • Simply email us an m-smac input file.
    • Include input cards 80, 85 & 87 (targets for POI, POR and damage measurements).

  • We will run SMACITER and return you a better matching m-smac run. Simple as that!

  • And for a limited time we will provide this service for a nominal $100 fee!
    • How many hours do you spend tweaking? Let our automatic iteration get you there faster! Try SMACITER and save time!

  • Return time will within 24 hours (It may be within an hour or so, as it only takes 5 minutes to run. 24 hours allows for scheduling)

  • Rush service also available (2 hours or faster). See order form for details.

  • ORDER FORM for SMACITER trial run

  • If we can't improve the correlation of your msmac run, NO CHARGE!

• PLEASE NOTE:
  • ALL correspondences are to be considered personal and confidential. No case identification.
  • The use of this service should not be referenced or disclosed. We have simply programmed an automatic iteration scheme to replace the tedium of manual iteration.
  • You should check all results and use additional methods to support your reconstruction.
  • Use of the SMACITER service is subject to the McHenry Software License and Limited Warranty.
  • SMACITER simply modifies your smac input dataset which you can then rerun.
  • This is a limited time offer and subject to change or may be withdrawn at any time. SO ACT NOW!

Thank you for your interest in McHenry Software, Inc.