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SUV vs. Compact Car A Traffic

Accident
Olivier Tardif-Paradis
Cgep de Victoriaville
Stphan Gaumont-Guay
Cgep Limoilou

Traffic Accident
Background
You are a police investigator and you have been asked to investigate a traffic accident involving two
vehicles. You go to the site of the accident to gather testimony from the witnesses and the information
required for the investigation.
According to the first witness, a pedestrian who saw it happen, the accident occurred at the end of the
afternoon on a sunny day. Coming out of a curve, the driver of the sport utility vehicle (SUV) lost control of
his vehicle and ended up in the wrong lane, in the path of an oncoming vehicle. Both drivers tried to brake,
but they collided anyway.

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The second witness, the driver of the compact vehicle, was still in shock. He told you that he was driving
within the speed limit when he saw the SUV skid out of control as he came out of a curve and come into his
lane.
The driver of the compact car said he could have avoided the collision by driving off the road, but he
deliberately chose to collide with the SUV rather than risk smashing into the concrete wall at the side of the
road. He felt it was safer to collide with another vehicle than to strike a concrete wall at full speed.
It does appear that both drivers tried to brake, because there are still braking marks on the road. The SUV
driver is dead. When you check his driving record, you discover that he had been involved in another
accident two years ago.
As an investigator, you must gather all the information required and determine the possible causes of the
accident, which will be presented in the event of a court case.
This information will allow the crown prosecutor to decide whether one of the drivers can be charged under
section 249 (3) of the Criminal Code, Dangerous driving causing bodily harm.

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Diagram of the Accident

Your findings are as follows:

Debris (oil, glass, metal, etc.) was found 5 m from the final position of the two vehicles.
The speed limit on this boulevard is 80 km/h on the straight and 40 km/h on the curve.
The curve radius is 48 m.
The mass of the compact car driver is 100 kg.
The mass of the SUV driver is 95 kg.

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Three-step Cycle
List all relevant information that you gathered about the problem. Based on this information, indicate what
you need to find out to solve the problem. As you discover new information, you should summarize and
update the relevant information that you have gathered and ask new questions.

List the Following:

What We Know

debris was found 5m

from the final position
of the two vehicles
speed limit on the
street of collision is
80km/hr (straight)
speed limit on the
curve is 40km/hr
radius of the curve is
48m
mass of compact car
driver is 100kg
mass of SUV driver is
95kg
brake marks start 25m
from compact car

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To Be Determined

Angular velocity
Initial speed of both
vehicles
Final speed of both
vehicles
Momentum + Impulse
???
The throwing velocity.
What is was thrown at
Mass of SUV and
Compact Car
The time length of
collision
Speed of the debris

Summary
As the driver of the compact
car was coming around a
curve with a speed limit of 40
kilometers per hour (11.11
meters per second) he began
to lose control as he entered
onto the highway. The
highway has a speed limit of
80 kilometers per second
(22.22 meters per second).
In order to reduce the impulse
of colliding with a wall, the
driver collided with an SUV.

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Preliminary Questions (Part 1)

Black Box 1: What Are the Causes of a Traffic Accident?
Compare the effects of different physics parameters on the braking distance, using this website:
http://www.phy.ntnu.edu.tw/java/Reaction/reactionTime.html
1)

Braking distance as a function of reaction time (t=1 s or 0.5 s and c = 0.5).

Write your conclusions.
s (braking distance)/ x = ut + 1/ 2 0.5/m (t^2)
s ( braking system) = 0.5(m)(v-u)/t
t = time
u = initial velocity
a = deacceleration
In order to find the breaking distance as a function of the reaction time of the driver, you would be able
to use one of the SUVAT equations. However, instead of using acceleration you would use -F/m
multiplied by the frictional coefficient 0.5 to indicate that it is a deacceleration.

2)

Braking distance as a function of type of braking (c = 0.5 and s = 0.8)

Write your conclusions.

d = v^2
2 g
d = braking distance
v = (initial) velocity
= coefficient of friction
g = gravity
You can use c = 0.5 and s = 0.8 for the compact car and SUV by plugging in the coefficients given, the
gravitational constant (9.81 m/s), and the initial velocities into the equation above for the braking distance.

3)

Braking distance as a function of initial velocity (c = 0.5 and s = 0.8)

Write your conclusions.
From the equation, v=u2 +2as, when solved for s, s=v2 /2a
s=v2 /2a
s= stopping distance
v= velocity
a= acceleration
This is also proportional to u2 , where u= initial velocity

To find the braking distance as a function of initial velocity, the SUVAT equation of v=u2 +2as provides
the distance formula, s=v2 /2a

Force
4)

Describe the forces affecting the vehicles at different moments (SUV, compact car, braking, curve, etc.)
using a forces diagram.

Both cars before braking forces diagram:

N

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SUV on the curve forces diagram:

Braking forces diagram:

N

Collision forces diagram:

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5)

How could the curve influence the accident conditions?

The centripetal force/ friction involved while the compact car was going around the curve would affect the
velocity at which the driver came out of the curve and onto the highway. The larger the radius of a circle is
when calculating centripetal force, the larger the linear velocity of the traveling vehicle will be. Since the
speed limit of the curve is considerably lower (half) the speed limit of the highway (where velocity is linear
since they are travelling in a straight line) we can assume that these limitations are set with mind to the
escape velocity of any vehicle coming off of the curve. Creating centripetal force also requires acceleration
to change direction and this excess acceleration can result in increased escape velocity.

6) What data are needed to calculate the initial velocities of the vehicles?
(Hint: Find the list of useful equations.)
When time, distance, and acceleration is given, the initial velocity is u=(d/t)(a x t)
2
When distance, acceleration, and final velocity is given, the initial velocity is u= square root of v2 - 2(a)(d)

Friction
7)

What type of friction is in play when the vehicle is driving, braking, skidding on the curve, etc.?
(Hint: You should describe the type of friction each vehicle is subject to in each stage of the accident.)
Rolling Friction (Driving): Rolling friction acts on an object as the object is rolling over a surface.
Rolling friction is much weaker than dry, sliding, or static friction.

Dry Friction (Braking): Sliding friction is friction that acts on an object as it is sliding over a surface.
Sliding friction is created during braking

Sliding Friction/ Dynamic friction: (Skidding): Sliding friction is friction that acts on an object as it is
sliding over a surface. Sliding friction is created during braking

8)

How can the braking marks or yaw marks help determine the causes of the accident?
The braking marks can help to identify many important factors to consider in the accident. It can find
the speed of the car and can also find the vehicle placement in time because the marks determine
the velocity. It can determine the type of tire including the width or path. These marks can also find
the point of impact of the cars because the change in the direction of the tire was caused by the
impact with the other vehicle which has a mass that is large enough to change the direction of the
vehicle. Another important factor of the cause is that it shows the condition of the vehicle tires if the
tires were inflated, deflated, and underinflated. It may also be possible to identify what caused the
driver to lose control by examining which tire made the mark. Yaws that start at the beginning of the
roadway shoulder is almost always caused by a driver who is inattentive becoming attentive. While
skid marks mean that the driver is attentive when the marks were made.

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Momentum
9)

What type of collision occurred?

Inelastic Collision.

10) What causes the momentum to change?

Momentum is conserved, so it doesnt change, however since mass and momentum are constant velocity
will always change in an inelastic collision.

11) What remains constant before and after a collision?

Energy remains constant. Mass remains constant. Momentum remains constant.

Energy
12) What is the unit of energy?
Joules

13) Is the energy a scalar or a vector?

Energy is a scalar. Direction and a point of action cannot be assigned to energy. You need magnitude,
direction, and a point of action for something to be called a vector. For example, a car travelling at 50mph
heading north and another car travelling at 40mph heading west have the same kinetic energy.

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14) What formula can be used to calculate the energy of the motion (kinetic energy)?
Identify each variable in the formula.
KE = ()mv^2
This equation can be used to calculate kinetic energy (KE).
m = mass of the object
v = velocity of the object

15) What happens to the change in kinetic energy of an object? What is the difference in kinetic energy?
Kinetic energy is changed based on the two factors in its formula: mass and velocity. The change in kinetic
energy is proportional to the square of the factor by which the speed changes (with constant mass). For
example, if the speed is doubled, the kinetic energy is four times the original amount. Additionally, the
change in mass is proportional to kinetic energy. If mass of an object is doubled, then the kinetic energy is
also doubled.

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Appendix:
What You Need to Understand:
Chapter 6 in Benson: Particle dynamics
- Understand Newtons laws in the problems about uniformly accelerated rectilinear motion (UARM),
which requires producing separate force diagrams for each object.
- Under the importance of the notion of centripetal force, which allows for the creation of circular
motion (uniform or otherwise).
Exercises: E5, E7, E11, E29, E40
Chapter 7 in Benson: Work and energy
- Understand the phenomena.
- Understand what the translational kinetic energy of an object represents physically.
- Understand that the change in kinetic energy of an object is the result of net mechanical work done
on the object in question.
Exercises: E5, E22, E38
Chapter 9 in Benson: Momentum
- Understand the importance of the notion of (vectoral) momentum in physics problems, especially
problems involving collisions or variable mass systems.
- Understand how a perfectly elastic collision differs from a perfectly inelastic collision.
Exercises: E2, E17, E18.

References:
1.

ABS brakes:
http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/roadsafety/tp-tp13082-abs1_e-214.htm

2.

Mythbusters: Mythssion Control: Crash Force

Here is the first part of the video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GuqiAHGGT4
and here is the second part
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-JGIYLZZUg&feature=related

3.

Socit de lassurance automobile du Qubec :

http://www.saaq.gouv.qc.ca/en/documents/pdf/prevention/road_slow_quiz.php

4.

Game about driver reactiontime: http://www.phy.ntnu.edu.tw/java/Reaction/reactionTime.html

5.

Criminal Code of Canada http://lois-laws.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/C-46/FullText.html

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Were the Road Conditions at Fault? (Part 2)

Now you have to take the routine measurements to determine the friction coefficient of the road in this
location. You are not certain how to proceed. There is no point in asking advice from the investigators, as
they are all very busy right now. You have to figure this out yourself.
You have a block of iron that weighs several kilograms, with a tire tread attached to one side.

16) What data can be obtained using this friction block and a dynamometer?
Diagram, parameters, variables, etc.
Coefficient of friction
Velocity and Acceleration
Force (of friction)
Power
Time
Distance

17) Based on this information about the method to use, find an equation that will determine the friction
coefficient of the road.
Hint: Make a diagram of the forces.

= Ff / N
= coefficient of kinetic friction
Ff = force of kinetic friction
N = normal force (also equal to weight)

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18) Could the road design (construction, surface, speed limits, etc.) be at issue? Justify your answer using
a diagram and calculations.
Speed limit = escape velocity
surface = frictional coefficient
construction = frictional coefficient and safety hazard
The average frictional coefficient for dry roads are 0.7 and 0.4 for wet roads. The construction of the road
could have allowed for a lesser coefficient of friction and therefore made it much more difficult for the driver
to stop as he was colliding towards the compact car.
Another problem with the road design could have been the radius of the curve. The radius of the curve
should be designed with respect to the escape velocity which the vehicle will have when coming off of the
curve when the centripetal acceleration stops.
Blind curves and a poorly banked road could also have been at fault as well. The purpose of banking roads
is to be able to redirect force already given to the car in the direction that the car wants to go. Banking is
important as it would force the driver to apply more frictional/centripetal force to stay on track and this would
then make the vehicle harder to control when trying to go straight again since so much force is going inward.

Was the SUV Driver at Fault? (Part 3)

19) What information do we need to help determine whether or not the SUV driver was at fault?
Hint: Refer to your conclusions from the section on causes of a traffic accident.
Need initial velocity of the SUV Driver
Reaction Time
Time between reaction and collision
Speed Limit (Determine if he was going above or below what the proper speed limit would be)

20) Your approach: (diagram, forces diagram, calculations, etc.)

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The SUV driver was speeding if the road conditions were dry or wet. He was speeding on the bend in the
road, which probably caused the tires to leave the yaw marks shown on the diagram on page 4. According
to witnesses, the SUV driver lost control of the car, so the excessive speeding on the turn most likely caused
this lack of control coming out of the turn and into the way of the compact car.

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Technical Data

Vehicles

Compact Car

SUV

Photo

Years of production

Maximum horsepower
Dimensions
LxWxH
Brakes

Total mass

CO2 emissions

1999 - 2006

2003 - 2010

Thermal: 70 hp
Electric: 13 hp

325 hp at 5,200 RPM

3.9 m x 1.7 m x 1.4 m

4.8 m x 2.1 m x 2.0 m

ABS

ABS

838 kg

2,909 kg

122 g/km

468 g/km

Friction coefficients:

c=0.1

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Tire / dry road: s=0.8 and c=0.5

Tire / wet road: s=0.5 and c=0.35
Tire / icy road: s= between 0.3 and 0.1 depending on salt level and

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Was the Compact Car Driver at Fault? (Part 4)

21) What information do we need to help determine whether the compact car driver was at fault?
Initial Velocity
Time from braking to collision
Reaction Time of Compact Car Driver
(Don't necessarily need to find specific values)

22) Your approach: (diagram, forces diagram, calculations, etc.)

Velocity of compact car before breaking:
Determine whether or not the compact car was going above or below the speed limit (initial speed and
final speed of the compact car)

**work continued below

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The driver of the compact car was not speeding during the time before the collision in any possible road
condition. However, the compact car embedded itself into the SUV because it would have taken the
compact car longer to decelerate to 0km/hr than the SUV. Both drivers slammed on their brakes at the
same distance away from the collision point, but the compact car decelerated at a slower rate causing it
to hit the SUV at a higher speed than the SUV. Even though the SUV was speeding, it was able to
decelerate quicker in a smaller period of time than the compact car.

23) The driver of the compact car could have avoided a head-on collision with the SUV but he did not. Is his
statement justified?
Driver of compact car: Its far more dangerous to collide with a concrete wall than with a car coming in the
other direction. I learned that on Mythbusters!!!
Explain your point of view before doing the calculations:
A car crashing into a wall versus crashing into another car has the same amount of energy. When a car
crashes into another car with the same amount of energy and mass, the total energy is doubled. The
energy is distributed evenly between both cars. In both scenarios, the change in momentum or the
impulse is the same. In the collision with the car the force will be twice as that of the wall collision.
Because in this case the two cars do not have the same mass, the forces would be different. The
statement of the Driver of the compact car is not justified because both hitting a wall and hitting another
car have the same amount of severity.

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24) What energy would the compact car have absorbed if it smashed into the concrete wall?
If the compact car smashed into the concrete wall, then it would have absorbed the same amount of
kinetic energy as it would have before the impact. Assuming the wall is immovable, the momentum of
the car and the energy it has to hit the wall will be reflected back upon the car.

25) What energy did the compact car absorb in the collision with the SUV?
In the collision with the SUV, the compact car and the SUV both absorb energy. The compact car absorbed
the kinetic energy of the SUV. Both vehicles will experience the same amount of magnitude of force in
opposite directions because of Newtons third Law. The compact car will experience a greater change in
velocity.

26) Validate your conclusion using the assembly in front of the class.

We concluded that the SUV driver was at fault in this situation. Based off of the calculations in 20, we found
that the SUV driver was not staying under the recommended speed limit for vehicles turning the curve. In
fact, in either situation where the road was wet or dry, he was travelling at a higher speed than
recommended. He shouldnt have been doing this, because the increased amount of speed made it much
more difficult for the driver to control his centripetal motion in the end. By going faster than the
recommended speed limit the car reached a velocity where, based on Newtons First Law of Motion, it
wanted to travel in a straight line or it reached a velocity almost like an escape velocity. This is why the
driver of the SUV found it much more difficult to veer into the correct lane and found himself moving in a
straight line into the wrong lane to collide with the compact car. The compact car driver, even though the
collision ended in a fatality, was obeying the law prior to colliding with the SUV and only made his decisions
in a moment of panic induced by the approaching SUV.

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