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Fatal Collision Involving 2 Chemical Tankers

Stopper & Associates, LLC Motor Carrier Safety / Highway Collision Research & Reconstruction Nationwide Commercial Motor Vehicle Investigations.

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Fatal Collision Involving 2 Chemical Tankers

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  1. Stopper & Associates, LLCMotor Carrier Safety / Highway Collision Research & ReconstructionNationwide Commercial Motor Vehicle Investigations

  2. Stopper & Associates, LLCTruck & Bus Collision InvestigationsFederal Motor Carrier Safety Regulation (FMCSR)& Commercial Drivers License (CDL) compliance

  3. Forensic MappingLaser “Total Station” measurements. “Reflectorless” unit allows detailed scene diagramming without interference with normal traffic flow.

  4. Fatal Collision Involving2 Chemical Tankers

  5. Forensic Map with Reconstruction AnalysisRollover – Fatality involving two fuel tankers

  6. Forensic mapping of School Bus -Refuse truck multiple fatal

  7. Forensic mapping of crash vehicle & exemplar vehicle

  8. Forensic - Computer Impact Analysis

  9. Crash Scene Forensic Mapping &Reconstruction Analysis

  10. Forensic map / Satellite PhotoOverlay of Crash Scene

  11. Portable Performance Based Brake Testing*Vehicle weight, brake balance, air pressure and brake force testing*49 CFR 393.52(a)(4) approved test method

  12. PBBT Testing– Transportation Research Center (TRC) – East Liberty, OH

  13. PBBT TestingAccident Reconstruction ConferenceHouston, TX

  14. Stopper & Associates, LLC PBBT - Brake Testing – Bus Involved in Rollover – Multiple FatalitiesNew Brunswick, Canada

  15. Commercial Vehicle Brake Testing & Crash Reconstruction Training

  16. Stopper & Associates, LLCTraining Law Enforcement & Collision Reconstruction Specialists in the USA & Canada

  17. David Stopper holds a CDL for all classes of Commercial Motor Vehicles and is a registered USDOT Motor Carrier

  18. Stopper & Assoc., LLC Mobile Forensic Lab & Incident Response Unit

  19. Fatality involving multiple brake failuresCase StudyInvestigated by NTSB & Stopper & Assoc., LLC National Transportation Safety Board, Collision Between Truck-Tractor Semitrailer and School Bus Near Mountainburg, AR on May 31, 2001, NTSB/HAR-02/03; PB2002-916203; Adopted September 4, 2002.

  20. Air Brake Examination

  21. Type 30/30 Brake Chamber& Automatic Slack Adjuster

  22. Federal Motor CarrierSafety Regulations • 49 CFR 393.1 requires CMV maintained to applicable standards • 49 CFR 393.53 requires Automatic Brake Adjusters on CMVs manufactured on/after 10/20/94. • 49 CFR 393.55(c)(1) requires ABS on air brake truck tractors manufactured on/after 3/1/97 • 49 CFR 393.55 (c)(2) requires ABS on air brake trucks, buses & trailers manufactured on/after 3/1/98

  23. Brake adjustment indicator 49 CFR 393.53(c) Air Brake Vehicles Mfg. After 10/20/94

  24. Type C- 30 (Clamp Type)Air Brake ChamberApplication Force Chart

  25. NTSB reported: • “A broken spring, which is difficult to detect, can reduce emergency-parking brake forces or render the emergency-parking brake inoperable, and the broken spring pieces can be displaced, thus shortening the pushrod stroke or preventing the automatic slack adjuster from functioning. The extent of the broken spring problem is undetermined.

  26. Conclusions • It has become apparent there is a general lack of knowledge as to the critical nature of proper installation, lubrication and periodic inspection of these critical safety devices.

  27. Conclusion • It is very important that collision investigators and CMV maintenance personnel be trained and become familiar with the operation and critical factors that can render ASA / ABAs inoperative leading to diminished brake force and/or brake failure.

  28. Conspicuity Investigations • Stopper & Associates works with internationally know experts in night time & low light visibility crashes • Worked with motor carriers to install retroreflective materials for safety before it was required by law • Stopper & Associates is unique in its ability to analyze and measure the condition of retroreflective surfaces.

  29. CONSPICUITYARE YOU SURE OF WHAT YOU ARE SEEING?

  30. A MEASURE OF THE LIKELYHOOD THAT A DRIVER WILL NOTICE A CERTAIN TARGET AT A GIVEN DISTANCE AGAINST A CERTAIN BACKGROUND Ref. NHTSA Driver Performance Data Book CONSPICUITY

  31. The ratio of luminance from a target to the luminance from the target’s surroundings Contrast

  32. The ratio of luminance from a target to the luminance from the target’s surroundings Contrast

  33. The ratio of luminance from a target to the luminance from the target’s surroundings Contrast

  34. The ratio of luminance from a target to the luminance from the target’s surroundings Contrast

  35. FMCSA Recognizes benefits and requires a retrofit regulation: Retroreflective Sheeting on Commercial Motor Vehicles Duty of Motor Carriers: 49 CFR §393.13. Retroreflective sheeting and reflex reflectors, requirements for semitrailers and trailers manufactured before December 1, 1993. Motor carriers operating trailers, other than container chassis (as defined in §393.5), have until June 1, 2001, to comply with the requirements of this section. Motor carriers operating container chassis had until December 1, 2001, to comply with the requirements of this section.

  36. Conspicuity IssuesPassenger vehicle vs. semi trailerUnder ride crashes (This crash occurred before sunrise)

  37. David Stopper Measuring Reflectance with Gamma Scientific Model 922 Retroreflectance Meter Fatal Night Trailer Under Ride Crash

  38. RETROREFLECTIVE MATERIALVS REFLEX REFLECTOR • Refelex reflector – plastic prism • Reflex reflector – fades rapidly to observer at approximately 20 – 23 degree angle to light source / observer • Retro reflective material wider angularity – drops 50% or more at 45 degree angle to light source / observer • Both dependant on radiance or luminous intensity (brightness) of light source.

  39. Model 922 Retroreflective Meter

  40. Retroreflective Materials Many motor carriers combine reflective materials with advertising as well as the required red/white pattern retroreflective tape

  41. CONSPICUITY • A MEASURE OF THE LIKELYHOOD THAT A DRIVER WILL NOTICE A CERTAIN TARGET AT A GIVEN DISTANCE AGAINST A CERTAIN BACKGROUND • Well maintained retroreflective tape improves safety and has saved lives

  42. For more information on investigations or training: David A. Stopper Juli R. StopperStopper & Associates, LLCMotor Carrier Safety – Highway Collision Research & Reconstruction Washington, DC Area Office6200 Evergreen Mountain RoadBroad Run, VA 20137540-347-0702 Fax 540-347-0763 Midwest & Southwest Operations – (Direct inquires to VA Office) Texas & Pacific Railroad Building 221 W. Lancaster Avenue Suite 11008 Fort Worth, TX 76102 e-mailMobile: stopperBUS@aol.com Office: stopperTRUCKS@aol.com

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