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 explores essential research that sets the standard for conducting scientifically robust crash investigations and for understanding driver responses in the context of what is typically expected under normal driving conditions.

Topics Include

• The underlying science behind drivers’ response time
• Understanding the proper times to be used in Time and distance calculations
• How to perform a proper methodology
• Factors affecting driving performance, such as age, alcohol/drug use, fatigue, divided attention, driver distraction, and many others
• The nature of driver perception and response times including when it starts, when it ends, and how it is different for many crash types
• Day vs. night
• Driver looking behavior
• The nature in which drivers accelerate and steer.
• Factors influencing drivers speed choices
• Important vehicle and roadway factors that should be considered
• How contrast, lighting, expectancy, pattern recognition, and hazard size influences nighttime recognition.
• Understanding of the factors related to camouflage and how many roadway hazards may exhibit these factors.
• Determining when an object is a cue (warning) or a distractor.
• How to properly document information after a nighttime crash when recognition might be a factor.

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.