What is the preferred Pole/Tree Collision analysis method?

[MSI]

NOTE: Latest Feb 2022 post includes New link to NHTSA crash tests database with latest pole impact tests
Now onto the original Posting:

Depending on the nature of the physical evidence in pole/tree collisions, two separate analytical approaches may be applicable to approximate vehicle speed and impact severity.

• One approach is based on the vehicle motions preceding and following the collision.
  • In cases where motions subsequent to the impact are sufficiently defined, work-energy relationships can be applied to approximate the work done against motion resisting forces and,thereby, determine the linear and angular velocities at separation from the pole/tree. The principle of conservation of angular momentum can then be used to determine the corresponding components of vehicle velocity at the point of impact with the pole/tree.
  The second approach is based on the nature and extent of vehicle damage.
  • The nature and extent of vehicle crush can serve as a separate basis for approximating vehicle speed and impact severity. Empirical crush properties, combined with vehicle specifications, and the degree of collision offset, can be applied to approximate the extent of energy absorption by vehicle crush and the corresponding impact speed-change.

For additional information, see analytical presentations in the Pole/Tree Collisions section of McHenry Accident Reconstruction:

• Work Energy Relationships, Conservation Of Angular Momentum and Damage Analysis

We will also add some recent references with vehicle Pole/Tree collisions to this thread.