Event Data Recorder - EDR (Part I)

6413 Views 2 Replies 2 Participants Last post by whitewolf359, Oct 1, 2009

Latenite1

Discussion Starter · Sep 30, 2009

Event Data Recorder
EDR
(pg. 56 Challenger R/T Owners Manual)

In the event of an accident, your vehicle is designed to record up to five seconds of
specific vehicle data parameters (see the following list) in an event data recorder prior
to the moment of airbag deployment, or near deployment, and up to a quarter second
of high-speed deceleration data during and/or after airbag deployment. EDR data are
ONLY recorded if an airbag deploys, or nearly deploys, and are otherwise unavailable.

NOTE:
1. A near-deployment event occurs when the airbag sensor detects severe vehicle
deceleration usually indicative of a crash, but not severe enough to *warrant airbag
deployment.

2. Under certain circumstances, EDR data may not be recorded (e.g., loss of battery power).

In conjunction with other data gathered during a complete accident investigation, the
electronic data may be used by Chrysler LLC and others to learn more about the possible
causes of crashes and associated injuries in order to assess and improve vehicle performance.

In addition to crash investigations initiated by Chrysler LLC, such investigations may be
requested by customers, insurance carriers, government officials, and professional crash
researchers, such as those associated with universities, and with hospital and insurance
organizations. In the event that an investigation is undertaken by Chrysler LLC (regardless
of initiative), the company or its designated representative will first obtain permission of
the appropriate custodial entity for the vehicle (usually the vehicle owner or lessee) before
accessing the electronic data stored, unless ordered to download data by a court with legal
jurisdiction (i.e., pursuant to a warrant).

A copy of the data will be provided to the custodial entity upon request. General data that
does not identify particular vehicles or crashes may be released for incorporation in
aggregate crash databases, such as those maintained by the U.S. government and
various states. Data of a potentially sensitive nature, such as would identify a particular
driver, vehicle, or crash, will be treated confidentially.

Confidential data will not be disclosed by Chrysler LLC to any third party except when:

1. Used for research purposes, such as to match data with a particular crash record in an aggregate database, provided confidentiality of personal data is thereafter preserved,

2. Used in defense of litigation involving a Chrysler LLC product,

3. Requested by police under a legal warrant, or

4. Otherwise required by law. Data Parameters that May Be Recorded:

Diagnostic trouble code(s) and warning light status for electronically-controlled safety systems, including the airbag system

Airbag disable light status (if equipped)

_Time_ of airbag deployment (in terms of ignition cycles and vehicle mileage)

Airbag deployment level (if applicable)

Impact acceleration and angle

Seat belt status

Brake status (service and parking brakes)

Accelerator status (including vehicle speed)

Engine control status (including engine speed)

Transmission gear selection

Cruise control status

Traction/stability control status

Tire Pressure Monitoring System status (if equipped)

[ Continued in Part II ]

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Latenite1

Discussion Starter · #2 · Sep 30, 2009

Black Box Data a Pariah??

Some interesting information on SDM/EDR data recovery used in GM and Saturn vehicles. Ford is moving toward this standard and it appears that Chrysler may be going to adopt this standardization as well. If not, it will become federally mandated anyway, so they will eventually will have to.

Air bag deployment 'black box' SDM / EDR crash data recovery for 1994 and newer GM, Hummer and Saturn vehicles using the Vetronix/Bosch crash data retrieval tool.

Logan Diagnostic offers air bag deployment crash data retrieval via the air bag SDM module for General Motors (GM) and Saturn vehicles. This can only be done using the Vetronix / Bosch crash data retrieval tool (CDR) and a PC. We can offer a report on the stored crash data in the air bag SDM module recorder (aka the 'black box', EDR or event data recorder).

The air bag SDM recorder can offer extremely important vehicle data in the final 5 seconds leading up to an accident event.

http://www.airbagcrash.com/

Here is good info and what data is stored on select GM, FORD and Chrysler vehicles.

CDR System Hardware for Data Retrieval: SDM and AirBag Modules
http://www.rudydegger.com/crash-data-retrieval-cdr/index.asp

What Information is stored in my Airbag control module? Click to enlarge

Sample GM air bag module SDM / EDR / black box accident crash data.

http://motorscan.us/product_info.php?cPath=45&products_id=84&osCsid=fa24b1a9569b96b1d274f61023411637

BlackBox downloads!
http://www.forensicdynamics.com/edr-blackbox

Very interesting from NHTSA ruling (1/14/2008)
Auto Black Box Technology
http://www.tdi.state.tx.us/fraud/documents/PALMERautoblkbx.pdf

Implications?
Final amended ruling issued in the January 14, 2008
Federal Register and effective for vehicles manufactured on or after September 1, 2012 2013

If a vehicle collects event data, ruling requires manufacturers to :

Collect a minimum/standard set of data (pre-crash and crash data)

Ensure commercial availability of downloading tools

Minimum standards ≠ uniformity; therefore complexity and variation will continue
© 2008. Injury Sciences 4
Ruling creates the next police report
Pre-crash vs. Crash Data What is It?
Pre-crash
Speed *
Braking *
Engine RPM *
Percent throttle *
Seat belt usage (driver * and front passenger)
Steering angle
Passenger classification
ABS activity

Crash
Change in velocity (longitudinal * and lateral)

Other
Ignition cycle count at event and data retrieval *

Note:
* Airbag need not deploy for data to be collected
* Denotes minimum requirements
gal Landscape is Effectively Defined
The Legal Landscape has been defined in EDR/SDM to wit;

Twelve states have enacted legislation; 7 states with pending legislation.

Owner permission or court order to obtain EDR data is the defacto standard in passed and pending legislation.

Attention required to the definition of the vehicle owner (conditions and timing).

Case law for use in court is significant and favorable.

Data is consistently viewed as evidence by courts and legislators.

Also:
An insurer cannot make the owner consent to access data a condition to settle a claim (but the duty to cooperate still exists).

An insurer cannot require permission to access data as a condition of the
policy.

Privacy A Red Herring!

EDR data is not private.
EDRs capture accident data NOT tracking data.
Much of the EDR information can be observed in public.
Some of the EDR data is monitored by law enforcement.
All legislative activity by states categorize EDR information as evidence.
Courts consistently hold EDR information to be relevant evidence.
Obtaining a release virtually eliminates an invasion of privacy claim.

Understand what EDR data is and what it is not.

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