BLACK BOX TECHNOLOGY FOR AUTOMOBILES

WHAT IS A BLACK BOX? Similar to a flight data recorder found on an aircraft, an automotive black box, also known as Event Data Recorder (EDR) is capable of recording certain information when activated by an event. An event is best described as a change in vehicle velocity that exceeds the manufacturer's predetermined threshold. Events are classified according to airbag status and are identified as either a deployment event or a near deployment event. Near Deployment events can be anything from moderate impacts (that do not deploy the airbag). Although some data may be obtained from other circuits, the majority of data is provided by the air bag system. As a result, the airbag control module in an automobile is actually used as the EDR or (black box). Different manufacturers use different names for the EDR. For instance, Ford calls it a Restraint Control Module (RCM). The Fords RCM only records crash data but not any pre-crash data.

General Motors (GM) calls their air bag control module a Sensing Diagnostic Module (SDM). GMs SDM provides basic crash data as well as 5 seconds of pre-crash information, such as speed, throttle position and brake position.

WHERE IS THE EDR? The EDR is usually located near the centre of the vehicle in order for it to be best protected and to measure the crash pulse near the vehicles centre of gravity. This means that it is usually below one of the front seats or under the centre console.

WHY HAVE AN EDR? Most vehicles are equipped with airbags which protects the occupant in a collision. Airbags only deploy in collisions of certain severity and direction. In order for the airbag system to know when and how to deploy the airbag, it must know what is going on and predict what is going to happen. The system accomplishes this by measuring specific data, such as vehicle speed and acceleration, collision direction, occupant seatbelt use, and other criteria. The various measurements are performed by sensors and the decision is made by the systems brain, which is the computer module. As the module already gathers information for the deployment decision, all that is needed is a recording device to make it a black box.

WHAT DATA CAN A BLACK BOX PROVIDE? The EDR is capable of recording and storing a variety of pertinent information but may differ from one manufacturer or model to another, some may include post-crash data only while others may also provide pre-crash data. Some EDRs record data from side impacts (those equipped with side air bags), force of impact and steering angle. The information could assist in establishing liability in the event of conflicting stories and settling disputes.

GMS RAW EDR DATA The data is downloaded to a computer and the computer data must be converted to something we can understand. An example of the raw data downloaded from a GM EDR is shown below. This proprietary code that can only be broken with a key. With the proper software the data is converted to practical output.

GMS PRE-CRASH DATA GM modules that do store pre-crash information typically record at one-second intervals from five (5) seconds prior to the event. It records vehicle speed, engine RPM, throttle percentage and brake switch status.

SYSTEM STATUS AT DEPLOYMENT The GM EDR also provides the system status at deployment which includes air bag warning lamp, driver seat belt, passenger air bag switch, how many times the vehicle has been started prior to and since the deployment, the time from the impact until the deployment (in milliseconds) and the time (if within 5 seconds) between a near deployment event and a deployment event.

GMS POST-CRASH DATA GM post-crash data measures forward velocity changes in mile per hour (MPH), at 10 millisecond (10/1000 of a second) increments for up to 300 milliseconds after the impact. This is the information that is crucial in establishing the severity of the impact in both magnitude and duration.

HOW IS THE DATA OBTAINED? General Motors was the first manufacturer to release their proprietary code to the public through a company called Vetronix that developed the Crash Data Retrieval (CDR) system.

The CDR module is connected to a laptop PC loaded with the Vetronix software and also connected via cable to the diagnostic link connector, also known as the OBDII port. If the OBDII port is damaged or inaccessible or if the vehicles electrical system is not operational, data can also be obtained directly from the EDR.

DATA RETRIEVAL METHODS

WHAT EDR DOES? EDRs can provide important information, such as collision severity (speed change), vehicle speed, throttle use, brake use, and seatbelt use. Some hypothetical situations where an EDR can assist in an investigation include: Sudden unintended acceleration a driver complains that the vehicle accelerated suddenly and would not slow down no matter how hard they applied the brakes. The EDR can confirm whether the brake or throttle was applied. An airbag malfunction deployed when it should not have or did not deploy when it should have. Witness Evidence - EDR data can be used to confirm or deny witness evidence (speed, seatbelt use).

WHAT EDR DOESNT? EDR use and capability is still in its infancy. They are an objective independent witness, but they have significant limitations and there are certain idiosyncrasies associated with them. For instance: The speed input is measured at the wheels or transmission. Therefore, a vehicle that is in yaw (sliding sideways) or braking fully may record an erroneous speed. Actual speed of the vehicle may be much higher or lower. Multiple impact crashes may not be recorded. Data may not be recorded or may be corrupted if power is lost during the collision. Low speed impacts do not produce accurate data. The impact severity is too low and the EDR data underestimates the severity.

THE POTENTIAL USES AND BENEFITS OF EDR DATA Insurance/Legal - Additional objective data provided by EDRs helps quick and fair resolution of insurance and liability issues. Law Enforcement - Obtaining EDR data from a collision would help in accurate determination of facts surrounding an incident. Government - Collection of EDR data facilitates government in furthering regulatory initiatives to help reduce fatalities, injuries and property loss. Vehicle Design - It allow manufacturers to collect better real world data to monitor system performance and improve vehicle design. Research - EDR data could provide objective databases on driver behaviour & performance, as well as other research related topics.

FEW VEHICLES WITH EDR INSTALLED Chevrolet Camaro, Ford Mustang, GMC Safari, Pontiac Firebird etc

THE NEXT STEP VDR (Video Data Recorder) It uses a built-in camera, GPS unit and G-force shock sensor (which is capable of tracing the point of impact during an accident on a three line X, Y, Z graph) to document accidents. When shock sensor detects an accident, the device takes video footage and is saved to a SD Card, making it accessible on a computer. It also records the time and location of an accident and documents your speed and direction of travel.

CONCLUSION The information could assist in establishing liability in the event of conflicting stories and settling disputes. Insurance companies will write into their policies who owns the EDR data and how the data will be handled. GM's SDM provides additional objective data to accident investigators for vehicles involved in crashes where a sufficient forward change in velocity is experienced, however, physical evidence from the vehicle and scene still needs to be analyzed.