Accident research

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The accident research has as part of the engineering sciences , the target sequence and causes an accident to reconstruct ( accident analysis ). The knowledge gained from this is also the basis for the development of regulations and approaches for accident prevention . Accident research or the preparation of an accident report is required by law from a certain amount of damage or in the event of severe personal injury.

In the course of an accident, three phases often come together: first of all, hazard identification and possible countermeasures up to the accident / collision, the actual collision phase and the expiry phase, each of which should be shown separately. The avoidance or inevitability of the event for the machine / vehicle driver / operator must be checked.

Accident research facilities

Accidents at work

The processing of occupational accidents and their evaluation are carried out in Germany by statutory accident insurance companies, among others , or are commissioned externally. To this end, the accident insurance institutions operate the following research institutions:

In Switzerland, the largest Swiss accident insurance company, the Swiss Accident Insurance Fund (SUVA) , has most of the accident reports carried out. These relate to both occupational and non-occupational accidents.

Road traffic

The police are usually responsible for recording the data of an accident on public roads , and they often have specialized personnel available. The evaluation, however, differs depending on the federal state or state. The local measurement of the accident tracks can be significantly supported or accelerated by professional photographic recordings - see accident photogrammetry .

In Germany, accident research in road traffic is carried out by various organizations, including traffic accident research at TU Dresden GmbH , accident research at the Hannover Medical School ( traffic accident research), accident research at DEKRA and accident research at insurers (UDV). Various vehicle manufacturers also conduct their own accident research. Real (traffic) accidents are examined on site and recorded statistically . The aim of accident research is to obtain information about vehicle safety, deficiencies in road space, frequent causes of accidents, accident locations or typical injuries, but also traffic behavior problems. This knowledge can be used to avoid accidents or to reduce the consequences of accidents.

An essential basis for accident research is the local accident investigation carried out in Germany by the police and the road construction and traffic authorities together in the so-called accident commissions. In almost all federal states, these are specially qualified for their task according to a standard that has been developed jointly with state representatives under the leadership of accident research by the insurers.

Rail transport

In Germany, the Federal Railway Accident Investigation Board (EUB) is responsible for investigating accidents. The EUB - headed by the Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Development (BMVBS) - is an independent body for investigating dangerous incidents in railway operations. The railway companies are obliged to report accidents according to certain criteria. The EUB also keeps statistics on dangerous events.

In Switzerland, the railways and ships division of the Swiss Safety Investigation Board (SUST) is responsible for recording the cause of accidents in the event of accidents involving a means of public transport (railways, cable cars, buses, ships).

In Austria, the federal safety investigation agency (SUB) is the safety investigation agency.

Air traffic

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) provided with the Chicago Convention in Articles 26, 37 and 38 that the signatory nations undertake to adhere to the guidelines issued by the ICAO, which also include accident investigation.

In Germany, the Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation is responsible for recording and investigating incidents and accidents in air traffic. In Austria, this is done by the Federal Safety  Investigation Board (SUB), an institution of the Federal Transport Authority (BAV). which is based at VERSA (traffic safety work for Austria) and in Switzerland the aviation department of the Swiss Safety Investigation Board (SUST).

Shipping

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) sets international guidelines for investigating accidents and incidents in maritime traffic.

In Germany, the Federal Bureau of Maritime Casualty Investigation is responsible for recording and investigating accidents in German territorial waters or with the participation of ships sailing under the German flag. The aim is not to determine fault or liability. It is only intended to determine the circumstances and causes that led to the accident in order to derive safety recommendations for shipping. This is to prevent future accidents.

In Austria, the Federal Security  Investigation Board (SUB), an institution of the Federal Transport Authority (BAV), is the security investigation board , in Switzerland the Swiss Security Investigation Board (SUST).

Cableways

In Austria, the Federal Security Investigation Agency (SUB), an institution of the Federal Ministry for Climate Protection, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology , and in Switzerland the SUST as the security investigation agency.

Methods (examples)

  • The calculation of the collision speed
  • A distance-time diagram is intended to enable the expert or researcher to display the spatial and temporal development of an accident. In this way, questions about the temporal and spatial avoidability of the accident can be answered.

literature

Books

  • Heinz Burg, Andreas Moser (ed.): Handbook of traffic accident reconstruction . Accident recording, driving dynamics, simulation. 2nd Edition. Vieweg + Teubner, 2009, ISBN 978-3-8348-0546-1 .
  • Team of 41 specialist authors and practitioners: accident reconstruction . The teaching and reference work in the field of traffic accident reconstruction and accident research. Ed .: autorenteam GbR. 1st edition. Münster 2007, ISBN 3-00-019419-3 ( accident reconstruction.eu ). Reading sample

Magazines

  • ZVS - magazine for traffic safety
  • Transport and technology (V + T). Journal for traffic technology, traffic policy, traffic economics. Association of Public Transport Companies (VÖV), Federal Association of German Railways (BDE), Berlin.
  • Traffic accident and vehicle technology

Web links