Event data recorder: Difference between revisions

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An '''event data recorder''' ('''EDR'''), more specifically '''motor vehicle event data recorder''' ('''MVEDR'''), similar to an [[accident data recorder]], (ADR) sometimes referred to informally as an automotive '''black box''' (by analogy with the common nickname for [[flight recorder]]s), is a device installed in some [[automobile]]s to record information related to [[traffic collision]]s. In the USA EDRs must meet federal standards, as described within the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations.<ref name="CFREDR">{{cite web|title=49 CFR 563.7|url=https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2010-title49-vol6/pdf/CFR-2010-title49-vol6-sec563-7.pdf|website=U.S. Government Printing Office|access-date=18 June 2017}}</ref><ref name="CFR 563">{{cite web |title=PART 563 - EVENT DATA RECORDERS |url=https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-V/part-563 |website=Code of Federal Regulations |access-date=17 August 2022}}</ref>

The term generally refers to a simple, tamper-proof, [[read-write memory]] device. The role of the EDR is limited compared to journey data recorders such as [[digital tachograph]] in Europe or [[electronic logging device]] in the USA,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ec.europa.eu/transport/road_safety/specialist/knowledge/esave/esafety_measures_known_safety_effects/black_boxes_in_vehicle_data_recorders_en|title = Black boxes/ In-vehicle data recorders|date = 17 October 2016}}</ref> whichWhich may also be referred to as a black box or in-vehicle data recorder.

In modern diesel [[truck]]s, EDRs are triggered by electronically sensed problems in the engine (often called faults), or a sudden change in wheel speed. One or more of these conditions may occur because of an accident. Information from these devices can be collected after a crash and analyzed to help determine what the vehicles were doing before, during and after the crash or event.

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== History ==

In its efforts to establish the uniform scientific crash data needed to make vehicle and highway transportation safer and reduce fatalities, the [[IEEE]] launched IEEE 1616 in 2004.<ref>{{cite web |title=IEEE 1616-2004 - IEEE Standard for Motor Vehicle Event Data Recorder (MVEDR)|url=https://standards.ieee.org/standard/1616-2004.html |author=IEEE |author-link=IEEE |accessdate=2018-10-05 |date=2005-02-10}}</ref> It was the first universal standard for motor vehicle event data recorders (MVEDR)MVEDRs, much like those that monitor crashes on aircraft and trains.

The new standard specifies minimal performance characteristics for onboard tamper- and crash-proof memory devices for all types and classes of highway and roadway vehicles. This international protocol will help manufacturers develop what is commonly called "black boxes" for autos, trucks, buses, ambulances, fire trucks and other vehicles. It includes a data dictionary of 86 data elements and covers device survivability.

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{{blockquote|the data that they are capable of recording and storing with respect of the period shortly before, during and immediately after a collision shall include the vehicle's [[speed]], [[braking]], position and tilt of the vehicle on the road, the state and rate of activation of all its safety systems, 112-based [[eCall]] in-vehicle system, brake activation and relevant input parameters of the on-board active safety and [[collision avoidance system|accident avoidance systems]], with high level of accuracy and ensured survivability of data}}

In 2020, talks arewere ongoing to draft and define global and/or UNECE [[vehicle regulation]] for event data recorder. In March 2021, regulation 160 iswas adopted.<ref name="unece.org"/>

Since 6 July 2022 EDR regulation is applicable to new car models sold in the [[European union]] and in the [[European economic area]] but criticism exist as this standard is not enough stringent.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://etsc.eu/july-6th-2022-vehicle-safety-in-europe-takes-a-giant-leap-forward/ | title=July 6th 2022 – Vehicle safety in Europe takes a giant leap forward | publisher=ETSC }}</ref>

==Operation==

Some EDRs continuously record data, overwriting the previous few minutes until a crash stops them, and others are activated by crash-like events (such as sudden changes in velocity) and may continue to record until the accident is over, or until the recording time is expired. EDRs may record a wide range of data elements, potentially including whether the [[brake]]s were applied, the speed at the time of impact, the steering angle, and whether [[seat belt]] circuits were shown as "Buckled" or "Unbuckled" at the time of the crash. Current EDRs store the information internally on an [[EEPROM]] until recovered from the module. Some vehicles have communications systems (such as [[General Motors|GM]]'s [[OnStar]] system) that may transmit some data, such as an alert that the airbags have been deployed, to a remote ___location.

Most EDRs in automobiles and light trucks are part of the restraint system control module, which senses impact accelerations and determines what restraints (airbags and/or seatbelt tensioners) to deploy.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Hench|first1=David|title='Black boxes' in cars capture data, and the truth|url=http://www.pressherald.com/2015/03/02/black-boxes-in-cars-capture-data-and-the-truth/|access-date=18 June 2017|agency=Portland Press Herald|date=2 March 2015}}</ref> After the deployment (or non-deployment) decisions are made, and if there is still power available, the data are written to memory. The data downloaded from older EDRs usually contain 6 to 8 pages of information, though many newer systems include many more data elements and require more pages, depending on the make/model/year of the vehicle being evaluated. Depending on the type of EDR, it may contain either a deployment file or a non-deployment file or sometimes both, depending on the circumstances of the collisions and the time interval between them, among other things.

It is also possible that no data can be recovered from a data recorder. One situation where this might occur is a catastrophic loss of electrical power early in a collision event. In this situation, the power reserve in the restraint system control module capacitors may be completely spent by the deployment of the air bags, leaving insufficient power to write data to the EEPROM. There are other circumstances where a module may fail to record a data file as well.

Most EDRs in heavy trucks are part of the engine electronic control module (ECM),<ref>{{cite web|last1=Andrews|first1=Dennis F.|last2=Limpert|first2=Rudy|title=Electronic Control Module Data in Large Truck Collision Analysis|url=http://www.pcbrakeinc.com/epub/PCB%201-2013f.pdf|website=PC Brake|access-date=19 June 2017|date=2013}}</ref> which controls fuel injection timing and other functions in modern heavy-duty diesel engines.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Bosch|first1=Robert|title=Diesel Fuel Injection|date=1997|publisher=Bosch Technical Instruction|isbn=1-56091-542-0}}</ref> The EDR functions are different for different engine manufacturers, but most recognize engine events such as sudden stops, low oil pressure, or coolant loss.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Menig|first1=Paul|last2=Coverdill|first2=Cary|title=Transportation Recorders on Commercial Vehicles|url=http://www.nhtsa.gov/DOT/NHTSA/NRD/Articles/EDR/PDF/Research/Transportation_Recorders_on_Commercial_Vehicles.pdf|publisher=Freightliner Corporation|access-date=19 June 2017|date=1999}}</ref> [[Detroit Diesel]], [[Caterpillar Inc.]], [[Mercedes-Benz]], [[Mack Trucks]], and [[Cummins]] engines are among those that may contain this function. When a fault-related event occurs, the data is written to memory. When an event triggered by a reduction in wheel speed is sensed, the data that is written to memory can include almost two minutes of data about vehicle speed, brake application, clutch application, and cruise control status. The data can be downloaded later using the computer software and cables for the specific engine involved. These software tools often allow monitoring of the driver [[hours of service]], fuel economy, idle time, average travel speeds, and other information related to the maintenance and operation of the vehicle.

Some EDRs only keep track of the car's speed along its length and not the speed going sideways.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Askland|first1=Andrew|title=The Double Edged Sword that is the Event Data Recorder|journal=Temple Journal of Science, Technology and Environmental Law|date=Spring 2006|volume=XXV|issue=1|pages=1–14|url=http://www.temple.edu/law/tjstel/2006/spring/v25no1-Askland.pdf|access-date=18 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141127142500/http://www.temple.edu/law/tjstel/2006/spring/v25no1-Askland.pdf|archive-date=27 November 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> Analysts generally look at the momentum, energy, and crush damage, and then compare their speed estimates to the number coming out of the EDR to create a complete view of the accident.<ref>{{cite web |access-date=2010-02-24 |url=http://www.slate.com/id/2140188/ |last1=Engber|first1=Daniel|title=The Ferrari That Split in Half |work=Slate.com |date=2006-04-18 }}</ref>