GB/T 39424.1-2020Road vehicles. Traffic accident analysis - Part 1: Vocabulary (English PDF)

2.1 Road vehicle accident

Unintended event that involves at least one road vehicle in motion and leads to personal injury or property damage, or both.

2.2 Accident participant

A single road user or unit involved in a road vehicle accident.

Note: A single vehicle, its occupants, and a single pedestrian are all counted as an accident participant. Road environmental infrastructure or falling objects, animals, etc. are not counted as accident participants.

2.3 First harmful event

Event producing the first occurrence of personal injury or vehicle damage in a road vehicle accident.

2.4 Most harmful event

Event producing the most serious occurrence of personal injury or vehicle damage in a road vehicle accident.

Note: The most harmful event is evaluated for each accident-involved vehicle. If two or more events produce equivalent injury or crush, then select the event that caused the most serious damage for the first time as the most harmful event.

2.5 Accident classification

Classification of road vehicle accidents according to the following characteristics (including but not limited to):

- Classification by vehicle type,

- Classification by personal injury severity,

- Classification by vehicle damage severity,

- Classification by number of vehicles involved,

- Classification by first harmful event,

- Classification by location of the accident,

- Classification by the way the vehicles collide.

2.6 On-road accident

Road vehicle accident in which the first harmful event occurs on the road.

2.7 Off-road accident

Road vehicle accident in which the first harmful event occurs off the road.

2.8 Injury accident

Road vehicle accident in which at least one person is physically traumatized but no one dies.

2.9 Fatal accident

Road vehicle accident in which at least one person sustains a fatal injury.

2.10 Property damage accident

Road vehicle accident in which the only outcome is damage to vehicles, or other property, with no injury or death.

2.11 Damaged vehicle

Vehicle involved in an accident sustaining damage.

2.12 Undamaged vehicle

Vehicle involved in an accident not sustaining damage.

2.13 Single-vehicle accident

Road vehicle accident in which only one vehicle is involved.

2.14 Multivehicle accident

Road vehicle accident in which at least two vehicles are involved.

2.15 Accident-involved vehicle

Vehicle involved in a road vehicle accident.

2.16 Non-injury vehicle

Accident-involved vehicle in (or on) which no vehicle occupant sustains an injury.

2.17 Injury vehicle

Accident-involved vehicle in (or on) which at least one vehicle occupant sustains an injury but no one dies.

2.18 Fatal vehicle

Accident-involved vehicle in (or on) which at least one vehicle occupant sustains a fatal injury.

2.19 Sampling criteria

Principle of sampling for an accident investigation referring to different aspects.

Note: An aspect of an accident investigation could be a road user, vehicle, injury or fatality, traffic environment or property damage, etc.

2.20 Sampling unit

Data collection based on sampling criteria. Example: Injured drivers.

2.21 Data source

Origin of data in terms of time and type of investigation, investigation institution or organization, and type of record, etc.

2.22 Impact severity

Changes in physical parameters caused by a vehicle being hit.

3.1 Accident investigation

Acquisition and documentation of information regarding a road vehicle accident.

Note: It includes on-scene investigation and retrospective investigation.

3.1.1 First-level investigation

Accident investigation of a general survey of the factors involved in a traffic accident.

3.1.2 In-depth investigation

Comprehensive and in-depth accident investigation of a traffic accident from the aspects of people, vehicles, roads, and the environment.

3.1.3 Multidisciplinary investigation

In-depth investigation conducted by a team of investigators with specialized knowledge encompassing several professional disciplines.

3.1.4 Self-reported investigation

Accident investigation based on information and data provided by persons involved in a road vehicle accident.

3.1.5 On-scene investigation

Accident investigation conducted at the accident scene before evidence has been removed.

3.1.6 Retrospective investigation

Accident investigation that fails to be conducted at the accident scene.

3.2 Accident scene

3.2.4 Traffic island

Island-like facility set between lanes and above the road surface to control the direction of the vehicle and ensure the safety of pedestrians.

Note: It includes diversion island, center island, safety island, etc.

3.2.5 Bicycle way

Roads mainly for bicycles, which can form their own systems in cities.

3.2.6 Sidewalk

Part of the road that is separated by curbs or guardrails and other similar facilities for pedestrians.

3.2.7 Curb

Boundary stone located at the edge of the road.

3.2.8 Crosswalk

Walking range, marked on the carriageway using marking lines such as a zebra crossing or other methods, which allows pedestrians to cross the carriageway.

3.2.9 Center line of road

Center line of road breadth.

Note: The center line of planned road section is called the planning center line. The center line between the red lines on both sides of the road is called the red-line center line.

3.2.10 Road alignment

Three-dimensional shape of the center line of road.

Traffic control

Systematic or concentrative control of the traffic flow by traffic signals, traffic-control signs (including markings on the road), other traffic-control facilities (traffic-information warning device), etc.

3.2.18 Speed limit

Highest or lowest vehicle speed allowed on the road.

3.2.19 Roadside object

Facilities, appendages, natural or man-made objects, etc. that exist on the edge of the road.

Note: A roadside object can be fixed or non-fixed, deformable or non-deformable.

3.2.20 Rest position

Position where an accident participant comes to a final stop after the collision of the road vehicle accident.

3.2.21 Trace mark

Mark that characterizes the relative contact of vehicles at the scene of a road vehicle accident. Example: Scrape mark, scratch mark, gouge mark.

3.2.21.1 Transfer mark

Trace mark caused by relative contact between vehicle components and other surfaces.

3.2.21.2 Critical speed mark

Trace mark caused by the non-parallel trajectory of the driven wheel and the vehicle. […]

3.2.23 Rock panel

Side beams connecting the front and rear pillars at the lower part of both sides of the vehicle body.

3.2.24 Roof side rail

Longitudinal reinforcement members on both sides of the vehicle roof.

3.2.25 Upper beam

Transverse reinforcement members between the two sides of the roof of the vehicle.

3.2.26 Original equipment

Equipment equipped by the automobile manufacturer.

3.2.27 Post-mounted equipment

Equipment equipped after the vehicle leaves the factory.

3.2.28 Aftermarket equipment

Post-mounted equipment not designated by the manufacturer.

3.2.29 Active safety

Vehicle system or function used to avoid collisions in the pre-collision phase of road vehicles. Example: Electronic stability system, automatic emergency braking system.

Collision deformation classification; CDC

Classification of the contact deformation of passenger cars caused by road vehicle accident.

Note: CDC is a 7-bit character composed of letters and numbers.

3.2.34 Truck deformation classification; TDC

Classification of the contact deformation of trucks caused by road vehicle accident.

Note: TDC is a 7-bit character composed of letters and numbers.

3.2.35 Wrap around distance; WAD

Geometric track formed by one end of a flexible tape measure on the outer surface of the front structure of vehicle, by laterally moving the flexible tape measure along the front structure of the vehicle in the longitudinal vertical plane of the vehicle.

3.2.36 Crush

State of the vehicle deviating from its original dimensions.

3.2.36.1 Residual crush

Crush remaining when all parts of a vehicle have ceased moving, and after any restitution, following impact.

3.2.36.2 Elastic crush

Portion of dynamic crush recovered after the collision force is removed.

3.2.36.3 Dynamic crush

Maximum degree of crush reached by a vehicle in a collision, which is the sum of residual crush and elastic crush.

Note: This includes damage resulting from rescue, towing, and salvage operations.

3.2.41 Mass at impact

Total mass of the vehicle at the time of a collision.

Note: It includes the mass of occupants, luggage, cargo, etc.

3.2.42 Effective mass at impact

Mass at impact minus the mass not contributing to the residual crush.

Note: The mass not contributing includes the mass of unrestrained vehicle occupants and luggage.

3.2.43 Interior damage description

Description of the damage inside the vehicle through text. Example: Deformation, displacement, separation, intrusion, penetration, etc.

3.2.44 Occupant compartment intrusion

Reduction of space of the occupant compartment caused by external influences.

Note: Include dynamic or residual.

3.2.45 Interior component displacement

Relative displacement between the internal components of the vehicle due to a road vehicle accident.

3.3 Road user

Any person on the road. […]