Ultimate Crash Test

I recorded two NOVA episodes recently. They are season 52 episodes 10 and 11 and the episode titles are the same as the title of this post. The first one shows the test setup for a simulation of a multi car crash with real human drivers driving at highway speeds. There are 8 vehicles. Four are driven by non-professional drivers and four are part of the test team. The vehicles are driven remotely and every driver has a view through the windshield of a simulator as if they were actually driving. A tandem tractor trailer is then pulled across a three lane highway and then the mayhem ensues. The amateur drivers provide a spontaneous reaction while the test team drivers deliberately drive into crashes. The tractor trailer is remotely driven as well.

The second episode shows the aftermath. The amateur drivers are interviewed as they inspect their remotely driven vehicles. Two professional crash investigators are brought in after the test to see how well they analyze the accident. Everyone except the big truck were traveling at highway speeds.

I was fascinated by the experiment, but I have a lot of engineering experience in simulation testing, so this is right up my allley. Well worth streaming IMO. In case you are interested, the crash investigators figured out what happened very well.

1 Like

One morning heading to Ohio, we were about 20 miles from home and it was a bit slippery. A salt truck was on the right shoulder so i slowed and moved into the left lane. Just as we approached, he cut across in front of us heading for the turn around. I didn’t panic brake, just enough to not slide and moved right enough to avoid him. Not my first rodeo. Gotta assume everyone else is asleep.

I watched it, last week. Very interesting!