The Traffic Accident Reconstruction Origin -ARnews-

Re: Drag Sleds

Andrew Rich ((no email))
Mon, 22 Apr 1996 12:02:55 -0400 (EDT)

In part Coulomb's friction law states that the coefficient of friction is dependant on the composition of the surfaces in contact with eachother and not the velocity. I don't think he had a moving car tire and asphalt in mind when he studied friction. However I built a drag sled for my accident investigation unit (law enforcement) and find it to be accurate. My tests show that the f derived from the drag sled used with the slide to stop formula will underestimate the speed by 5 to 10 percent. I also tested my drag sled against a fifth wheel at a Texas A&M course. The fifth wheel and the drag sled both calculated the same f. As far as New York is concerned; if a judge can throw out kilos of coke why not the drag sled?
Andrew Rich
74031.1360

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