THE USE OF ELECTRONIC SURVEY EQUIPMENT IN THE CREATION OF ACCIDENT SCENE DIAGRAMS

Accurate scene diagrams are essential to most accident reconstructions. Moreover, the scene diagrams make useful trial exhibits. Electronically Aided Survey Equipment (EASE) can aid the investigator and reconstructionist because it provides the following advantages over traditional measurement techniques: it is faster, it is more accurate; it eliminates transposing errors; it provides evaluation measurements, and it permits data to be directly imported into Computer Aided Design (CAD) or animation programs. This paper describes the proces from survey to diagram. Furthermore, reconstructionists can load data into a spreadsheet for greater analysis. The paper also covers how electronic survey and data logging can be useful in photogrammetry, in photographic reverse projection, and in obtaining elevations, roadway grades, cross slopes and curve radii for use in speed analysis.(A) For the covering abstract of the conference see IRRD 882390.