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Media Questions and Answers
What is an Event Data Recorder and what is it's function?
An Event Data Recorder (EDR) is a function or device installed in a motor
vehicle to record technical vehicle and occupant
information for a brief period of time (seconds) before, during
and after a crash for the purpose of monitoring and assessing vehicle safety
system performance. For instance, EDRs may record, pre-crash vehicle dynamics
and system status, driver inputs, vehicle crash signature, restraint
usage/deployment status and post-crash data such as the activation of an
Automatic Collision Notification (ACN) system.
What is the difference between an EDR and a "black box"?
"EDR" is the term NHTSA has coined to refer to the device
commonly installed on motor vehicles to record vehicle technical data for a
brief period of time in the event of an accident. In contrast, airplanes,
trains and ships use sophisticated recording devices, commonly called black boxes,
that record data continuously throughout the operation of the vehicle. They capture
much more data than EDRs and, in some cases, can record sound. In
commercial aircraft, these are "Flight Data Recorders" and
"Cockpit Voice Recorders." An EDR is also referred to variously as a
"Motor Vehicle Event Data Recorder (MVEDR)" and "Crash Data
Recorder (CDR)."
Where is the EDR typically located within a vehicle? Will I pay extra for it?
An EDR includes sensors located throughout the vehicle that
perform various functions. However, the data
storage memory chip and accelerometers of the units are typically located in a well-protected
area of the vehicle. The
exact location and type of EDR is left to the discretion of the automobile
manufacturer. The cost of an EDR is not a significant factor in the cost of an
automobile
and is incorporated in the base price.
Do all types of vehicles have them? If not, what percentage does?
Not all vehicles are equipped with EDRs. Most manufacturers have made the
decision to install some EDR capabilities in their current vehicles. It is
estimated that about 64% of the 2005 model year passenger vehicles have some
EDR capability. Not all can be downloaded with currently available commercial
software and hardware.
Does the Federal government require them?
No, the federal government does not currently require manufacturers to install EDRs.
Does the Federal government regulate them?
NHTSA has issued a regulation
to standardize the data collected and recorded by an EDR in order to enhance
its usefulness for safety-related purposes. Beginning with vehicles
manufactured on or after September 1, 2011 (model
year 2012 vehicles), NHTSA has defined the minimum data set that must be
collected if a manufacturer decides to voluntarily install an EDR in their
vehicle, along with requirements for the range and accuracy of EDR data.
Why does the government want to standardize and collect EDR data?
The government is interested in reducing deaths, injuries, and property
damage related to vehicle crashes on the nation�s highways. EDRs give
government researchers and investigators better information from which to
assess how motor vehicles perform in real world events. Using this
information, more effective occupant protection and vehicle safety programs
can be developed.
What information do EDRs record? How frequently is the information
collected? How much history is collected?
NHTSA requires that vehicles manufactured on or after
September 1, 2011 that are voluntarily equipped with EDRs must record 15 data
elements at a minimum in a standardized format. A complete list is contained
in the NHTSA regulation.
NHTSA does not limit the maximum number of data elements or overall time frame
that can be
collected. Some EDRs are capable of capturing more than
the 15 required data elements and for greater periods of time.
When does the EDR capture data?
Most EDRs capture data during a frontal collision, typically those causing
visible damage to the vehicle. As a rule of thumb, if the crash is sufficient
to cause the air bags to deploy, EDR data is usually captured. Unless
you have a significant event, such as a collision, pot hole or curb hit, with
or without an air bag deployment, the
EDR does not capture data.
Vehicles with side impact air bags or rollover sensors may also record
information under other conditions.
Does the collected data contain any personal identifiers?
No. The collected data does not contain any elements that could identify the
driver of the vehicle. However, the vehicle identification number (VIN) may be
required to download any information from the EDR.
How is an EDR different/similar to the control unit that works with my air
bags? Is the EDR the same as the automatic crash notification system in
my vehicle?
EDRs can trace their roots to the installation of air bags in vehicles. For
air bags to operate properly in the event of a crash, automobile manufacturers
developed control units to detect when a crash has occurred and deploy the air
bag, if needed. As the air bag control units became more sophisticated,
automobile designers realized data collected from the control units could be
used to further improve air bag design. To collect this data, designers
increased the functionally of the air bag control unit to permit storage of
the data after a crash so it could be downloaded and analyzed later.
Automatic collision notification (ACN) systems and EDRs are separate
functions. ACN is a system that can automatically notify a third party (such
as a 911 operator or call center) when a car is involved in a collision.
How do I know if my current vehicle has an EDR? How do I know if the
vehicle I plan to purchase has an EDR?
Many vehicles equipped with air bags have EDRs. Starting in 2005, most car
companies have placed a statement in the vehicle owner�s manual indicating
if the vehicle has an EDR. A list of vehicles equipped
with an EDR, confirmed by the manufacturers, is
available here.
Some vehicles owner's manuals indicate a vehicle "has" or "may
have" an EDR that "may" record information about the vehicle in
the event of a crash. This could be very limited data that does not include
vehicle speed, braking, etc. Our list of vehicles is limited to those vehicles
that we have confirmed have an EDR through the manufacturer and detailed
information on the recording capabilities. We do not include vehicles on the
list that we cannot confirm.
Can I elect to have my EDR turned off? Can I take out my EDR? Can my dealer
take out my EDR?
No, no and no. In most car and light truck applications, the EDR is an
integral part of the air bag control system. If the EDR function were to be removed or turned off, the air bag
system would be disabled. Dealers and other commercial entities may not
disable any device covered by a NHTSA safety standard, including air
bags, under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
Who "owns" the information collected by an EDR?
Ownership of the EDR and EDR data is a matter of state law, and such
provisions vary considerably. A current list of state laws specifically
addressing access to EDR data is available here.
Do all EDRs record the same data elements?
No. Early versions of EDRs, primarily model years before 2000, record very
little information. Generally they do not record vehicle speed, brake application,
engine speed or many other data elements recorded in later versions that are
of interest to most people. The data recorded by any specific manufacturer's
EDR also varies greatly across model, year and vehicle features.
Who has permission to download the EDR data from my vehicle?
In most states, the current vehicle owner, or their legal representative, can give
or withhold permission to download EDR data.
Courts can
subpoena EDR data through court orders and some states collect data under
their existing laws governing crash investigations. A current list of state laws specifically
addressing access to EDR data is available here.
Can I download data from my vehicle?
Some vehicle manufacturers have licensed third parties to develop the
downloading process tools to download data from
an EDR. Professional accident reconstructionists, in private practice,
typically have the equipment required to download the data. Dealership service
technicians and garages do not normally have the equipment to retrieve EDR
data. EDR data retrieval requires specific hardware and software that is
different from the diagnostic equipment available to service
technicians.
Some manufacturers have not released the required equipment and data can only
be retrieved by their engineers.
Does my insurance company have access to my
EDR�s information if I�m involved in a crash?
Some
insurance policies may have contract terms with the insured related to data collection from
EDRs. This may be contained in an "Agreement to Cooperate" clause in
an insurance policy. Some states have statutes that contradict these contract
provisions.
Can EDR recorded data be used against a driver in our court system?
Yes. Many courts have accepted EDR data in the proceedings. A list of US and Canada trial cases, where EDR
evidence was introduced, is available here.
Some insurance companies use devices to track driver behavior and issue discounts to policyholders
who drive safely. Are these tracking devices the same thing as an EDR?
No, driver behavior and vehicle tracking devices, sometimes referred to as
"Vehicle Data Recorders (VDR)" are not the same as an EDR.
Can EDRs record my conversations or a video?
No.
Can EDRs tell if I ran a red light?
No.
Can EDRs tell if I have been drinking?
No.
Can EDRs tell where I have been or when I was at a specific location?
No.
Can EDRs tell if occupants are wearing their seat belts?
Since knowledge of safety belt use is critical to understanding the operation
of the vehicle�s safety systems, seat belt use, or non-use, is often captured as an EDR
data element. NHTSA has included this as an element that must be collected on EDRs beginning September 1,
2011 (2012 model year vehicles).
Will EDRs be mandated?
At this time, the decision regarding whether to install an EDR in their cars and light
trucks is up to the vehicle manufacturer including 2012 model years and later.
Where can I find additional information regarding EDRs?
Contact Harris Technical Services
at (772) 336-2279 for more information.
Our main page for EDR information and
resources is at http://www.harristechnical.com/cdr.htm
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