Data Driven with Lou Peck

Lou Peck

Hosted by Lou Peck, Data Driven interviews industry experts about the current and future states of collision reconstruction.

  1. Wade Bartlett: From Engineering to Law Enforcement, Critical Speed Yaw Analysis, and the Power of Constant Learning

    FEB 11

    Wade Bartlett: From Engineering to Law Enforcement, Critical Speed Yaw Analysis, and the Power of Constant Learning

    Wade has a uniquely broad career. From consulting engineer, to Deputy Sheriff, to Adjunct Faculty at IPTM, to NAPARS Administrator, he’s an integral member of the reconstruction community. Wade has a bachelor’s and master’s in mechanical engineering, a professional engineering license, and is also ACTAR accredited. He’s authored or co-authored nearly 50 technical publications, and has presented at conferences all over the world. We sat down for nearly 3 hours and covered a wide variety of topics, including: - How Wade accidentally became an engineer - Going from failure analysis to accident reconstruction - Handling expert testimony - Overcoming the fear of public speaking - Becoming a police officer - Giving back to the community - Monte Carlo analyses - Critical Speed - Drag Sled wars - Advice for the next generation - And more You can watch the podcast and find links from the show here. -- Connect with Wade Read Wade's Papers -- Timeline of Topics 00:00:00 - Career Overview and the Importance of Meticulous Field Work 00:06:21 - Researching Motorcyclist Perception and Response with Eye Tracking 00:09:07 - Academic Challenges and Learning to be an Engineering Student 00:20:12 - Transitioning from Failure Analysis to Accident Reconstruction 00:32:24 - Self-Teaching HVE and the Vital Role of Forensic Photography 00:39:05 - Handling First Depositions and Navigating Cross-Examination 00:53:46 - Overcoming the Fear of Public Speaking through Teaching and Mentorship 01:09:05 - Growth of NAPARS and Modernizing Information Sharing 01:35:02 - Becoming a Police Officer and Bridging the Civil-Criminal Data Gap 01:56:10 - Applying Monte Carlo Statistical Analysis in Excel 02:14:42 - The Science of Critical Speed Yaw and the Drag Sled Research Wars 02:40:35 - Advice for the Next Generation: Constant Learning and Multi-Disciplinary Knowledge

    2h 56m
  2. Swaroop Dinakar: Exploring Human Factors, ADAS, Fatality Trends, and SHRP2 Data

    11/07/2025

    Swaroop Dinakar: Exploring Human Factors, ADAS, Fatality Trends, and SHRP2 Data

    Swaroop is a Managing Scientist at the famous Driver Research Institute, where he wears many hats including research, education, software development, and analysis of motor vehicle collisions. He holds a bachelor’s in industrial engineering from Die Anon Saggar College of Engineering in India and a Master’s degree in industrial engineering from Texas A&M University, where he focused on human factors. Swaroop has published over 20 papers in the field of human factors and is a member of several driver safety related committees and technical groups. We covered a wide variety of human factors topics, including: The science of evaluating a driver’s responsePedestrian detection and safetyFatality trends and insightsThe SHRP2 data gold mine (Strategic Highway Research Program)Naturalistic braking dataDocumenting nighttime scenesAnd more... Two clarifications from the show: Biomotion is referred to as “biometric” on a few occasions.Fatal pedestrian crashes with intoxicated crash stats: Drivers >0.08 is ~18% and Peds >0.08 is ~30%. Overall ~43% where either one was >0.08. You can watch the podcast and find links from the show here. -- Connect with Swaroop Driver Research Institute Response / IDRR -- Timeline of Topics 00:00:00 - Team Growth and Research Methodology Challenges 00:04:01 - Unbiased Human Factors Analysis and Study Compilation 00:13:22 - Perception-Response Time Variables, Adjustments, and IDRR Development 00:20:38 - Journey into Human Factors Engineering 00:23:33 - Rising Fatality Trends and Emergency Vehicle Distractions 00:31:57 - Haptic Feedback, ADAS Warnings, and System Limitations 00:37:02 - Roles at Driver Research Institute and Response Software Overview 00:48:23 - Detailed Fatality Trends and ADAS Effectiveness 00:50:26 - Pedestrian Safety: Nighttime Visibility and Contributing Factors 00:58:20 - Overestimation of Visibility and Retroreflective Clothing Studies 01:10:53 - Tennis Ball Visibility Study and Bicyclist/Pedestrian Enhancements 01:28:13 - Pedestrian Walking Speeds, Adjustments, and Response Integration 01:33:43 - Case Handling: Site Inspections, Tools, and Analysis Process 01:45:01 - SHRP2 Naturalistic Data Introduction and Braking Insights 02:19:26 - Key Takeaways from SHRP2 Research on Crash Types and Responses 02:35:57 - ADAS Challenges: Distractions, Takeover, and Human-Machine Interaction 02:46:06 - Looming Effects, Lead Vehicle Detection, and Specific Influences 03:05:52 - Expert Testimony Advice and Demonstratives 03:09:29 - Turning Crash Analysis into Broader Safety Improvements

    3h 16m
  3. Ed Fatzinger: Deconstructing Kawasaki events, exploring Ducati DDM, and all things motorcycle data

    10/15/2025

    Ed Fatzinger: Deconstructing Kawasaki events, exploring Ducati DDM, and all things motorcycle data

    Lou sits down with motorcycle data guru, Ed Fatzinger. Ed is the director of accident reconstruction at YA Engineering. He holds a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering from West Virginia University and a master’s in aerospace engineering from Embry Riddle University. He’s also a professional engineer, ACTAR-accredited reconstructionist, and a member of the SAE accident reconstruction committee. He’s published several papers on the topic of motorcycle crash data. In this episode, you’ll learn about: • Kawasaki data and how Ed started down that path • Ducati’s Data Monitoring system • Bombardier’s BUDS data • Airbags vests • Apps • Diagnostic tools • And more… You can watch the podcast and find links from the show here. -- Connect with Ed EdFatzinger.com YA Engineering -- Timeline of Topics 00:00:00 – Bikes in the shop and Ducati’s modern tech 00:04:03 – Discovering Kawasaki’s hidden EDR system 00:07:18 – Breaking barriers: early roadblocks and first contact with Kawasaki 00:12:03 – Data mysteries and how manufacturers respond 00:15:43 – How motorcycle EDRs actually trigger (and how Ed tested it) 00:20:43 – Cracking the code: reverse-engineering and publishing the first papers 00:25:03 – Education, persistence, and field testing across the country 00:32:48 – Tip-over sensors, power loss, and missing crash data 00:37:38 – Inside the data: speed, traction, throttle, clutch, and gears 00:47:17 – Validating accuracy and correcting speed data 00:52:16 – Power loss anomalies and how to preserve motorcycle EDR evidence 01:04:17 – Off-road vehicles, BRP systems, and what “last instant data” really means 01:12:21 – Diagnostic tools, Ducati EDRs, and the future of rider data 01:34:49 – Airbag vest systems and data availability 01:41:23 – Ducati Data Analyzer and practical applications 01:56:54 – Smartphone-based data 01:59:24 – Lessons learned and how to connect with Ed

    2 hr
  4. Randy Bauder + Taylor Walker: Tools and Tactics for Acing the ACTAR Examination

    05/30/2025

    Randy Bauder + Taylor Walker: Tools and Tactics for Acing the ACTAR Examination

    Lou sits down with Randy Bauder and Taylor Walker to discus the ACTAR exam – why they sought accreditation, how they prepared, and their advice for others taking the test. -- Connect with Randy Learn more about ACTAR Read about the accreditation process -- Timeline of Topics Randy Bauder 00:00:00 – Introduction to the show and Randy’s background 00:04:33 – Randy’s decision to pursue accreditation 00:08:13 – The application process and requirements to sit for the exam 00:10:46 – Distinction between ACTAR and PE 00:12:30 – Preparation for the exam 00:20:30 – Reference materials used during the exam 00:25:50 – The morning session 00:31:37 – The afternoon session 00:34:35 – Finding out the results 00:36:41 – Advice for others seeking accreditation Taylor Walker 00:39:40 – Introduction to Taylor’s background 00:45:03 – Taylor’s decision to pursue accreditation 00:52:20 – Training prior to the exam 00:55:09 – Preparation for the exam 01:02:44 – Advice for others seeking accreditation 01:04:48 – Tools used during the afternoon session 01:12:12 – The morning session 01:17:01 – The afternoon session 01:25:58 – Finding out the results 01:26:42 – Would you do anything differently a second time around? -- Resources Discussed Andy Rich’s Prep Course CA Association of Accident Reconstruction Specialists (CA2RS) California Peace Officer Standards and Training IPTM Courses – Crash Investigation and ACTAR Prep Northwestern University Center for Public Safety Rusty Haight | Collision Safety InstituteYouTube Test Prep

    1h 32m
  5. Jeff Suway: quantifying luminance with a camera, video analysis, & his love of retroreflective tape

    10/04/2024

    Jeff Suway: quantifying luminance with a camera, video analysis, & his love of retroreflective tape

    Lou sits down with Jeff Suway of JS Forensics to discuss how he got into recon, the current state of his firm, Jeff's real love: retroreflective tape, quantifying luminance with a camera, video analysis, and much more. The podcast is available to watch here. -- Connect with Jeff JS Forensics Nitere -- Timeline of Topics 00:00:00 – Jeff’s background and introduction to forensics 00:20:16 – JS Forensics: Jeff’s vision for the company and his current team 00:31:45 - Jeff’s fascination with retroreflective tape 00:44:35 – Quantifying luminance with a consumer grade camera 00:59:00 – Presenting in the courtroom 01:02:26 – How to take contrast measurements 01:19:53 – Nitere applications 01:28:11 – Necessities for a recon trying to do nighttime analysis 01:39:57 – Methods and tools Jeff’s experimenting with 01:43:06 – How Jeff stays in touch with the latest tech in the industry 01:47:11 – Rapid fire: What Jeff uses point clouds for, best investment under 5k, and most used papers -- Papers Discussed (in order of appearance)Suway, J., Suway, S., “A Method for digital Video Camera Calibration for Luminance Estimation” Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) World Congress and Exhibition, 2017, SAE Paper No. 2017-01-1368Suway, J., Suway, S., "A More Robust Method for Digital Video Camera Calibration for Luminance Estimation" SAE Technical Paper 2022-01-0802, 2022Muttart, J., "Factors that Influence Drivers' Response Choice Decisions in Video Recorded Crashes," SAE Technical Paper 2005-01-0426, 2005, https://doi.org/10.4271/2005-01-0426.Cipriani, A., Bayan, F., Woodhouse, M., Cornetto, A. et al., "Low Speed Collinear Impact Severity: A Comparison Between Full Scale Testing and Analytical Prediction Tools with Restitution Analysis," SAE Technical Paper 2002-01-0540, 2002, https://doi.org/10.4271/2002-01-0540.Suway, J., Welcher, J., “A Quantitative Method for Accurately Depicting still photographs or video of a night-time scene Utilizing Equivalent Contrast” Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) World Congress and Exhibition, 2016, SAE Paper No. 2016-01-1463.

    1h 57m

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

Hosted by Lou Peck, Data Driven interviews industry experts about the current and future states of collision reconstruction.