Recommendations for software and hardware for crash reconstruction

General Crash Reconstruction Tecnhiques
Crash tests, Pole Impacts
MSI
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Joined: Thu Jun 18, 2009 12:37 pm

Recommendations for software and hardware for crash reconstruction

Post by MSI »

Q: On a Facebook forum someone posted that their department is currently creating an crash investigation/ recon unit and they were asked to get a list of equipment needs/ necessity's together. Wondered what devices are out there that are being used for surveying etc? Also what programs are used to do mapping etc .? And any other items/ input.

A: the following was a recommendation i posted up:
  • Before investing in software and equipment i'd recommend you get folks to be on the unit to train!
    IPTM, Northwestern, ACTAR and others have introduction courses.
    EDR courses essential and that hardware/software ain't a cheap date.
    Take courses before diving too deep in the software/hardware plunge.
    Do your research!
    Get an idea of what is available and what is the budget and then look around for equipment and software.
    You can buy all sorts of equipment and software but until you learn how to use it and the strengths and weaknesses of each, there is no point.
    Look at the types of crashes in your area
    Do a brief historical study.
    What types are most prevalent?
    What types are you in need of equipment for?
    Then judge what is important and essential.
    Be wary of training which is thinly veiled sales pitches for software./hardware.
    If the training is free or cheap they gotta make money somehow: by selling you stuff!!
    Cloud computing is sexy but cumbersome and will bog you or your group down with terabytes of data which you'll rarely use/need.
    tread slowly before making that plunge.
    Start with the old school measuring tape, calculator, simple analysis.
    Make informed decisions!