Accident Investigation Calculator

Speed from Throw Distance

Please read the following instructions carefully.

Fill in the first value, or both of the first and second values, in the boxes below, then click the Calculate button. Both values are required to calculate the last three values.

Throw distance (metres): m =

Coefficient of friction between the ground and object: μ =

Adult pedestrian (Error 10%):

Child pedestrian (Error 6%):

Adult pedestrian, rounded front: (Error 16%):

Vertical front end (Error 7%):

R. Smith and A. Evans (95% confidence ± 2.16 m/s or 5 MPH):

Searle's maximum speed:

Searle's minimum speed:

G. S. Hill's probable speed:


References

H.Appel, G.Sturtz and L.Gotzen, Influence of impact speed and vehicle parameter on injuries of children and adults in pedestrian accidents, Proc.2nd Int.Conf.on Biomechanics of Injury, (IRCOBI), Lyons, 1975.

J.A.Searle, The physics of throw distance in accident reconstruction, SAE Technical Paper 930659.

G.S.Hill, 1994, Calculations of vehicle speed from pedestrian throw, Impact, 4, 18-20.

R.Smith & A.Evans, Pedestrian throw calculations, Impact, 9, 1, 2000.


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