Vehicle Trajectory Reconstruction Using Sensor Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle crash investigations rely on subjective data and physical methods that may not accurately recreate vehicle behavior around critical events, often using witness reports and incomplete telemetry data, leading to unreliable trajectory reconstructions.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize vehicle sensor data to derive and analyze vehicle trajectories before and during critical events, determining forces acting on the vehicle and outputting notifications if these forces exceed operating parameters, with the option to input data into a multi-body model for detailed component analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If physical methods and witness reports are used to recreate vehicle behavior, then the investigation process can be conducted with available data, but the accuracy and reliability of trajectory reconstruction deteriorates due to subjective and incomplete input data
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary recording of vehicle sensor data continuously before a critical event occurs, storing trajectory and sensor information in advance. This ensures that complete and accurate data is already captured when the critical event happens, eliminating the need to rely on incomplete witness reports or physical reconstruction methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a digital copy of the vehicle's actual behavior through sensor data recording, storing objective trajectory information, sensor readings, and vehicle state data. This digital copy replaces the need for physical reconstruction methods and subjective witness accounts, providing accurate and complete information for analysis.
2Measurement precision
If witness statements and physical analysis are used for crash investigation, then the investigation can proceed with existing resources, but the objectivity and precision of the analysis deteriorates due to subjective input
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses existing vehicle sensor infrastructure that serves multiple functions - normally operating for vehicle control and safety systems, and simultaneously recording data for crash investigation. This multi-functionality allows precise vehicle behavior measurement without adding separate dedicated recording devices, maintaining simplicity while achieving high measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle's own sensor systems automatically record and store trajectory and behavior data without requiring external data collection equipment or manual input. The vehicle essentially records its own behavior, providing objective and precise data while minimizing the complexity of external data collection infrastructure.
3Reliability
If comprehensive sensor data recording is implemented to improve trajectory accuracy, then the reliability of critical event analysis improves, but the data storage and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and stores only the critical sensor data and trajectory information relevant to crash analysis, rather than recording all possible vehicle data. By selectively capturing essential information such as position, velocity, acceleration, and key sensor readings around the critical event, the system maintains high analysis reliability while minimizing data storage and processing requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer implemented method of reconstructing vehicle behaviour for a vehicle that has been subject to a critical event, the method comprising: receiving vehicle sensor data associated with vehicle motion; receiving a critical event notification signal, the critical event notification signal being associated with a critical event time for the critical event; deriving, from the received vehicle sensor data, a vehicle trajectory within a time window prior and adjacent to the critical event time; analysing the vehicle trajectory to determine forces acting through the vehicle system; outputting a notification signal in the event that one or more of the determined forces exceeds one of more of the operating parameters of the vehicle.