This introductory course examines a variety of human factors to determine "why" a collision occurred. We utilize lectures, discussions, in-class demonstrations and outside field exercises to give you an appreciation for the importance of human factors in explaining collision causation. You will gain an understanding of how frail human evidence is and why the ability to interpret and analyze physical evidence is critical to the success of any collision investigator.

In addition to the driver, vehicle and roadway characteristics that must be considered in an investigation, this course also addresses the nature of perception and reaction, the factors affecting the investigator's choice of perception-reaction values as well as eyewitness reliability.

Topics Include

• The nature of the driving task
• Factors affecting driving performance, such as age, alcohol/drug use, fatigue, divided attention, driver distraction, and many others
• Human vision/perception and how we see anything in the driving environment
• The nature of driver perception and reaction and how to assign times
• Day vs. night
• Computerized perception-reaction time estimation
• Driver looking behavior
• The value and reliability of eyewitness evidence
• Eyewitness evidence versus physical evidence
• Important vehicle and roadway factors that should be considered

Audience

Law enforcement and private traffic crash investigators, claims adjusters, engineers, prosecuting attorneys, safety officers, military investigative personnel, animators and graphic designers

Course Length

40 hours

Prerequisite(s)

You must have completed, at a minimum, IPTM’s Advanced Traffic Crash Investigation course or its equivalent.

ACTAR Information

IPTM's Human Factors in Traffic Crash Reconstruction course is eligible for 40 ACTAR CEUs.

What Our Students Are Saying

• "I absolutely loved this class! The research and information were great. Jeff and Tim kept the class super interesting and fun." – State Trooper A.C.
• “This was absolutely useful. Eyewitness recollections will impact my career for the rest of my career. This course opened my eyes to the limitations.” – T.S.
• “I loved the exercises that demonstrated how the mind works.” – M.W.
• “Excellent addition to ped/bike course.” – M.G.
• The instructor was an excellent instructor. He made the course material interesting and easy to understand. He is a very engaging instructor who was very knowledgeable.” – D.O.
• “Involved projects to solidify knowledge that can also be applied as first hand knowledge for testimony in court.” – P.G.
• “The topics covered are relevant to current reconstruction issues including cell phone technology use in vehicles.” – D.R.