Crash Test Central

Most of us have heard of the black box inside airplanes. No doubt many of us are aware that a similar concept exists in automotive engines – more specifically, heavy equipment trucks.

Known as an Electronic Control Module (ECM), this device is often used to aid in reconstructing crash scene investigations. After years of research and collaboration, Fox Valley Technical College and the Wisconsin State Troopers have been internationally recognized for their part in better understanding ECM technology.

A truck’s ECM controls the engines’ operation so when something is wrong, the ECM is aware of the problem and provides the data. Additionally, the ECM has the capability to record wheel speed, braking and many other components that help in crash scene reconstruction.

“Little Fox Valley Technical College in Appleton, with what – 300 state troopers? And we are getting questions from all over,” says Wisconsin State Trooper Tim Austin, an accredited reconstruction specialist with the Wisconsin State Patrol Academy. “These are instructors that are giving up their personal time to improve accident investigation around the world.”

Austin is referring to the recently published research he co-authored with FVTC instructor Mike Farrell that sets a standard and is a data collection manual that can be used by crash scene investigators and safety consultants nationally and internationally.

“This is not just being used by law enforcement, there are other professionals out there that do reconstruction work,” he says.

The research was primarily done at FVTC’s Diesel Department and was presented at the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Conference this spring. The SAE is the global standard in the automotive world.

The unlikely pairing of Austin and FVTC began in 2008 when the trooper approached Rob Behnke of the Truck Driving Department and asked if he could do some testing at the college. Behnke signed on and the collaborative efforts to further crash scene investigation began.
FVTC provided an ideal background for research with a fleet of 40 semi tractors from a vast array of engine manufacturers. The research conducted was done on personal time when the trucks weren’t being used by students.

Farrell, a diesel equipment mechanic instructor with FVTC, then signed on to help Austin test more than 1,100 Caterpillar engines and document when errors can occur. “It was a great partnership between the school and the state patrol,” says Farrell.

The published research showed the different recording errors that occurred within the different makes and models of caterpillar engines. “For example, we found when a trooper went to download information from one particular ECM, the information was being recorded or logged in a day in advance,” Farrell says.

Documenting and knowing the anomalies of each ECM now makes
it possible for crash scene investigators to introduce the data into a criminal law. Without the data published, the information is not admissible in court because there is no standard, Farrell says.
While the ECM data is only one of many components in a crash scene investigation, the information is essentially a snapshot of the accident and the moments that lead to it.
“In another crash I investigated, the ECM data was critical and resulted in criminal charges,” Austin says.

Austin’s research has been well received

“We are all looking at ways to do our jobs more efficiently,” says Bill Messerschmidt, a principal technical analyst and manager for Messerschmidt Safety Consultants of Birmingham, Ala. “Keeping cost down and providing a better product for a lower price is the goal.”

Austin says he just fielded a call from Canada. “Our work is being used by different police agencies around the world. I just had someone from Quebec call about using this in their training,” he says.
For Farrell, the project was about pride and was a good example of what working together can give the community as a whole. “We are constantly striving to work with the community whether it’s on our time or not,” Farrell says.

According to Austin, the benefits of the collaboration and research are far reaching. “From a teaching standpoint the students are being taught by instructors, who are leaders in their field,” says Austin. “From my perspective, better information is obtained for investigations and if it were one of my loved ones killed in a crash, I would want the best.”