Abstract
This paper presents reconstruction analysis of vehicle trajectory using records of a developed black box, and results of validation tests. For reconstruction of vehicle trajectory, the black box records the longitudinal and lateral accelerations and yaw-rate of vehicle during a pre-defined time period before and after the accident. One 2-axis accelerometer is used for measuring accelerations, and one vibrating structure type gyroscope is used for measuring yaw-rate of vehicle. The vehicle's planar trajectory can be reconstructed by integrating twice accelerations along longitudinal and lateral directions with yaw-rate values. However, there may be many kinds of errors in sensor measurements. The causes of errors are as follows: mis-alignment, low frequency offset drift, high frequency noise, and projecting 3-dimensional motion into 2-dimensional motion. Therefore, some procedures are taken for error compensation. In order to evaluate the reliability and the accuracy of trajectory reconstruction results, the black box was mounted on a passenger car. The vehicle was driven and tested along various specified lanes. Through the tests, the accuracy and usefulness of the reconstruction analysis have been validated.
