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 response
• Pedestrian detection and safety
• Fatality trends and insights
• The SHRP2 data gold mine (Strategic Highway Research Program)
• Naturalistic braking data
• Documenting nighttime scenes
• And 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.

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Connect with Swaroop

Driver Research Institute

Response / IDRR

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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

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.

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Connect with Ed

EdFatzinger.com

YA Engineering

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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

Lou sits down with Matt DiSogra of Delta |v| and Jeff Hirsch of Drive Forensics to discuss their recent SAE paper, Examination of the Data Structures of the Bendix® Data Recorder.

The podcast is available to watch here.

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Connect with Matt

Connect with Jeff

Read their paper (DiSogra, M., Hirsch, J., and Yeakley, A., "Examination of the Data Structures of the Bendix® Data Recorder," SAE Technical Paper 2025-01-8712, 2025)

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Timeline of Topics

00:00 - Introduction and BDR Basics

03:59 - BDR Modules, Data, and Triggers

09:27 - Data Retrieval and SAE Paper Overview

12:50 - Translation Process and Validation

23:15 - Practitioner Implications and Options

29:20 - Future Plans and Insights

34:55 - Industry Trends

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Links from the show can be found here.

Lou sits down with Jarrod Carter of Origin Forensics to discuss presenting at trial, mentoring young recons, managing a firm, and finding balance.

The podcast is available to watch here.

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Connect with Jarrod

Origin Forensics

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Timeline of Topics

00:00:00 - Introduction and the "Rub Some Dirt on It" philosophy

07:28:00 - Managing caseload and scope of work

12:18:00 - Building and running a recon team

27:16:00 – Presenting to the court

36:42:00 - Education and mentors

41:47:00 - Energy methods and restitution

46:53:00 - Teaching juries

01:02:49 - Public speaking and testimony skills

01:09:24 - Continuous learning and new tools

01:13:29 - Demonstratives and exhibits

01:25:07 - Hiring and nurturing a team, prioritizing family, and avoiding burnout

02:17:17 - AI in recon

02:49:44 - Future of AI (AGI, Reasoning)

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Links from the show can be found here.

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.

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Connect with Randy

Learn more about ACTAR

Read about the accreditation process

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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?

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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 Institute
• YouTube Test Prep

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.

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Connect with Jeff

JS Forensics

Nitere

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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

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• 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. 2017-01-1368
  • Suway, J., Suway, S., "A More Robust Method for Digital Video Camera Calibration for Luminance Estimation" SAE Technical Paper 2022-01-0802, 2022
  • Muttart, 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.

Lou sits down with Jeff Muttart to discuss driver response, autonomous vehicles, training novices, and the evolution of recon.

The podcast is available to watch with video here.

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Connect with Jeff

Driver Research Institute

Response

Education

Drivers’ Response in Emergency Situations Book

Published Papers

Swaroop Dinakar

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Timeline of Topics

00:01:22 The origin of a data junkie

00:13:02 The 16-year-old driver

00:23:52 Moving from the police department to academia

00:31:36 Jeff’s first success

00:40:07 The PRT of automated vehicles

00:52:14 Why are ped fatalities on the rise even with the increase in ADAS-equipped vehicles?

01:04:42 Analyzing the SHRP-2 data

01:17:53 Where are humans most vulnerable?

01:29:27 Access to video

01:39:39 Age as a factor

01:54:30 Jeff’s current toolkit

02:12:55 Autonomous vehicles

02:28:33 Predictions for the future

02:36:27 Motorcyclist PRT research

02:44:58 Applying the literature

02:53:22 What tool will be gone in 5-10 years?

02:57:02 Driver Research Institute and the future

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Studies, Literature, and Tools Discussed

100 Motorcyclists Study

Development and Evaluation of Driver Response Time Predictors Based upon Meta Analysis

Human Performance Lab at UMass Amherst (HPL)

Konica Minolta Luminance Meter

Part 563

Risk and Perception Training (RAPT)

Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP)

SHRP-2

Sony Alpha 7S II

SWOV

Lou sits down with Tim Cheek and Matt DiSogra to discuss heavy vehicle data and its proliferation, the modern HVEDR toolkit, and the future of the field.

The podcast is available to watch with video here.

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DELTA |v| Forensic Engineering

Tim Cheek

Matt DiSogra

SAE Course - Accessing and Interpreting Heavy Vehicle Event Data Recorders

HVEDR.com

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Timeline of Topics

00:01:23 Tim and Matt’s backgrounds

00:05:45 Definition of HVEDR

00:12:42 What sources of data are available on a heavy vehicle and how do you access them?

00:30:21 Preparing for a heavy vehicle inspection and triaging once you’re there

00:39:55 How do you keep up with it all?

00:43:44 Last stop data

00:49:45 Fault code setting event and the associated data

00:57:43 Autonomy in heavy trucking

01:06:59 What tools are needed to access Bendix data?

01:13:05 Sharing knowledge in a changing environment

01:16:58 WABCO Systems

01:19:57 Increase in data sources

01:24:53 Accessing trailer data

01:27:25 Modern toolkit for a heavy truck inspection

01:40:08 Will event data recorders ever replace recons?

01:48:31 How to drink out of the fire hose without getting your face blown off

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Systems, Tools, and Companies Discussed

Bendix

Bosch CDR

Cummins

Dearborn Group

Detroit Assurance

Mack Volvo

Mecanica Scientific

NEXIQ

Omnitracs

Part 563

Safety Direct

WABCO

Waymo

Wingman Fusion System