Multi-vehicle pileups are difficult to analyze. Forensic crash investigation can only study the aftermath of these deadly incidents by picking through the debris left behind. Investigators rarely get to see exactly how the crash unfolded, as each of these highway accidents is unique.
In a recent documentary, PBS Nova went behind the scenes of a new experiment aimed at simulating a multi-vehicle pileup. Recreating multi-vehicle accidents is a significant engineering challenge and requires intense preparation.
Emily Thomas, PhD, CPST, Vice Chair of AAAM’s Membership and Marketing Committee was featured in this PBS Nova documentary and shares her insights on this new, innovative form of crash test. Thomas is an accomplished automotive safety expert with over 15 years of specialized experience in occupant protection, child passenger safety, and vulnerable road user safety. As Associate Director of Automotive Safety at Consumer Reports, she manages a team of safety engineers and technicians and has been featured nationally and internationally on Good Morning America, the LA Times, and more.
Watch the full PBS Nova documentary to learn more about this ambitious automotive experiment: https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/video/ultimate-crash-test-countdown