Introduction to Event Data Recorders (EDR)

This video provides an overview of a vehicle’s event data recorder, sometimes referred to as the “black box” of an automobile. We’ll discuss the types of crash data that are available in these systems, the EDR tools and methods used to retrieve or “download” the crash data, and also how the crash data is used and who uses it.

Timecodes
0:00 - Intro
0:30 - What is EDR?
1:40 - Types of EDR Data
2:55 - Tools / Methods to Retrieve EDR Data
3:50 - How EDR Data is Used and Who Uses it

Vehicle crash data is data that may be stored in the vehicle’s safety system after a crash. It is one of the most important pieces of evidence to be collected and evaluated as part of a vehicle crash investigation. The crash data is unbiased, proven, accurate and defensible. When examined along with other available physical evidence from the crash, the vehicle crash data can provide a much clearer understanding of what happened before, during and after the crash.

Whether you are working with insurance, law enforcement or private practice reconstruction, the vehicle’s crash data can assist in your accident reconstruction and help you to better understand many of the elements that may have led up to the crash, including vehicle speed, braking, seat belt status, steering input, delta-v, any many other data parameters as recorded by the vehicle in question.