Laser Tech is proudly sponsoring an IRPA luncheon during the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Conference on Impaired Driving and Traffic Safety (IDTS) in Washington, DC, from August 16 to 18, 2024. We are excited to both help bring attention to this upcoming event and get our first up-close look at the IRPA in action. Since a major purpose of the organization is to open up communication between road policing and traffic safety experts, we are optimistic that the luncheon will be a safe environment that can inspire new members to join the alliance and start sharing their knowledge, experiences, and best practices.

The International Road Policing Alliance (IRPA) aims to connect international traffic safety authorities to reduce crash fatalities worldwide.

For those unable to attend the upcoming IACP IDTS event or the IRPA luncheon, the IRPA Online Community welcomes new members who have an interest in decreasing deaths and injuries from road crashes throughout the world. At your convenience, you can sign up to check in on and contribute to forums, key articles, and pressing topics being discussed in the international traffic safety community. Officially, the IRPA describes its Online Community as a platform that “provides an online forum to connect with international law enforcement leaders and road safety professionals to pose questions and share resources, ideas, and successes to support comprehensive approaches to enhancing road safety at global, regional, country and community levels.” To help make sure that community members are indeed committed to traffic safety, a quick screening process must be completed before access to the platform can be granted. Interested folks can begin the process by navigating to the “Join the IRPA Online Community” section of the IRPA homepage, and following the prompts.

Regardless of where you come from, seeking a decrease in worldwide deaths and injuries from road crashes is a cause we can all get behind. We look forward to continuing our relationship with this newly formed group and encourage fellow traffic safety authorities to join the IRPA Online community, share what you know and learn from others, or join us in becoming a sponsor.

The post Laser Tech Proudly Sponsoring International Road Policing Alliance appeared first on Laser Tech.

The relationship between speeding and traffic fatalities is common knowledge. Despite this, over 60% of vehicle operators in the municipality drive over the speed limit. Properly equipping local traffic safety professionals has a history of lowering speeding and fatality numbers.

TruCAM II Video Speed Gun to Counter Speeding Habits Within the Municipality of Córdoba

Teaming Up to Equip Traffic Safety Pros Worldwide

October 2020: LTI connects with BIGRS during 2020’s IACP Conference and Exposition. Both parties share similar interests in boosting road safety and discouraging dangerous and preventable behaviors like speeding. Laser Tech explores the possibility of forming a traffic safety partnership. A measurable track record of reducing fatalities by equipping professionals with proper traffic safety technologies fuels the conversation.

IACP members fit into the mix perfectly, and a coalition of like-minded road safety enthusiasts quickly forms. LTI, with established Dealers in over 100 countries, contributes technologies and training for the IACP and BIGRS to distribute according to their initiatives. The latest example of this joint effort in action brings attention to the municipality of Córdoba.

Tackling Cordoba’s Speeding Situation with Technology

An article from cordoba.gob.ar describes the findings that studies provide regarding motor vehicle operators in Córdoba:

TruCAM II video speed guns capture visual chains of evidence to assist with deterring traffic safety violations.

“62% of vehicles circulate above the speeds allowed in the city [and] in 2022, 66 people died due to urban traffic accidents. Córdoba has the highest speeding value in the region (62%), followed by Bogotá (39%), Mexico City (34%), Buenos Aires (29%), Quito (20%), Sao Paulo ( 11%), among others..”

Córdoba’s 63% majority accounts for the highest percentage of speeders on the list by a considerable margin. A concerning 23% gap separates Córdoba from Bogotá, the next highest on the list. This alarming discrepancy prompts the IACP and BIGRS to step in. “Theoretical and practical training” accompanies their donation of two TruCAM II video speed guns.

These traffic safety tools will be introduced as operators begin “notifying violators without generating fines.” The initial goal is creating “greater awareness among drivers.” This commendably prioritizes community education rather than going straight to enforcement with repercussions.

The Right Tool for the Job

LTI’s TruCAM II includes a high-resolution camera with automatic focus, iris, and shutter speed control. This makes it easy for operators to capture visual evidence of violations, which can be reviewed on the device’s 9.4 cm LCD screen. Files write onto a removable SD card and can be extracted for saving and reviewing on other devices.

TruCAM deployments have helped facilitate a long list of traffic safety initiatives worldwide. While this includes larger countries like Australia, the UK, and Spain, some notable examples of success come from more remote countries like Trinidad and Tobago, Sri Lanka, and Ras Al Khaimah. This gives LTI, the IACP, and BIGRS reason to anticipate a positive impact on the roads of Córdoba.

Where the Road Leads to Next

For now, video evidence captured by operators will only reinforce the educational approach the Córdoba initiative aims to deliver. In more concerning cases of speeding, distracted driving, tailgating, and other dangerous behaviors, TruCAM II video evidence may assist a more strict approach. All parties involved share the same hope that this will not be necessary.

BIGRS continues to seek out opportunities to make critical traffic safety tech donations to cities in need. From the BIGRS website, “Priority cities of the new BIGRS phase include Accra, Addis Ababa, Bengaluru, Bogota, Buenos Aires, Cali, Campinas, Chattogram, Córdoba, Da Nang, Dhaka North, Guadalajara, Guayaquil, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Kampala, Kuala Lumpur, Kumasi, Maharashtra State, Mexico City, Mombasa, Mumbai, New Delhi, Pune, Quito, Recife, Sao Paulo, and Salvador.”

LTI looks forward to keeping up with progress in Córdoba and other upcoming deployments of TruCAM II video speed gun devices.

The post Video Speed Gun to Improve Road Safety in Córdoba appeared first on Laser Tech.

Crash reconstruction methods based on crush or energy analysis are a valuable tool for identifying an object’s speed. Reconstructionist professionals need to determine the required amount of energy needed to cause the vehicle damage in question. They accomplish this by focusing on the scientific processes that quantify energy.

Webinar: TruPoint 300^™ Total Station Simplifies Crush Measurement

Rich Maxwell served as a Municipal Police Officer in New Jersey for 27 years, retiring as a Sergeant in 2011 from the Colts Neck Township Police Department. He has been a Crash Reconstructionist for more than 30 years. During Maxwell’s career as an officer, he was assigned to various duties involving patrol, investigations, supervision, traffic safety, and training. Rick co-developed and coordinated the countrywide fatal crash investigation team for Monmouth County, NJ serving as one of its team leaders for more than 14 years.

Crush analysis can be a time-consuming process. Rich demonstrates how to reduce your analysis time while achieving the high accuracy data needed for your reports. Joining him is Vinny Alvino, our Traffic Safety product manager. Together, they discuss gathering crush measurements with Laser Tech’s TruPoint^™ 300, a highly accurate and easy to use laser measurement tool.

Recorded on July 9, 2020

Read the TruPoint^™ 300 and QuickMap 3D^® Simplify Crush Data Collection Case Study for additional info on these crush data collection methods.

The post TruPoint™ 300 for Vehicle Profile Crush Measurement (Webinar) appeared first on Laser Tech.

Receive the Full White Paper as a PDF

Today’s crash investigation professional makes use of all data sources at their disposal when reconstructing an incident. Most of the relevant data is collected with modern technology that combines mapping tools and photography.

Crews perform this type of data collection in short order, right at the scene. The goal is to clear wreckage quickly. However, mapping tools remain underutilized in gathering vehicle crush profile data. A a lofty expectation of time and personnel resources tends to scare people off.

Defining Crush Profile Data Collection

Crush profile data measures and explains vehicle damage caused by collisions

A crush profile data set is essential for determining the maximum engagement between two vehicles, which contributes to finding the principal direction of force. It is also very useful for putting vehicles together in scaled diagrams and showing the sequence of the crash. Crush profiles help show the principle direction of force when two vehicles crash. When measuring crush on a vehicle by manual methods, the tools required to do the job can be inexpensive items like tape measures and simple levels.

Some manufacturers like Saker offer more expensive jigs or gauges, which can outline damage profiles. Something to consider is that you must purchase these devices in different sizes. Plus, each will have fixed intervals at which you can measure.

On top of that, the tool requires two operators to hold each end. Using one of these gauges, or even a classic tape measure, uses up more personnel resources that one hopes for. Typically, collection methods require you to record data by hand, opening up extra room for transcription errors.

People usually delineate crush by first setting up one axis across the extent of the damage, laterally. The next step is to take vehicle measurements along another axis using right angles. Much care keeps everything square and adds to the time of this method’s completion. In many cases like this, using manual tools can produce excessive error in the results, rendering the data useless to the investigator in the end. This is where high-tech comes in to play.

Making the Case for Modern Technology to Step In

A much better method is to use a total station device, that measures horizontal and vertical angles, as well as distance to the target. These instruments do require a little bit of training but can be very simple to operate. A single operator can collect all the data necessary, making best use of the available manpower. The total station and software requires only a short setup. You can then collect data points along the line of crush on the vehicle in seconds. The means that the operator captures more data, at whatever interval they choose. No longer will their processes restrict to a fixed spacing.

Perhaps one of the biggest benefits of this method is the accuracy it provides. Using very simple precautions, the operator collects more precise data than manual methods. They perform the survey with very little risk of error. The investigator can have complete confidence in the results of a vehicle crush profile measured properly by a total station-type instrument.

Scanner technology from manufacturers such as Trimble and Leica can gather very precise crush data but the high cost, more complex procedure and sheer magnitude of data that must be processed makes them impractical for this application. Although slightly more expensive than the complicated jigs, simple total stations make short work out of what can be a difficult measurement scenario.

Case Study: TruPoint^™ 300 and QuickMap 3D^® Simplify Crush Data Collection

Blue tape visibly marks the point of maximum impact

The following case study demonstrates the benefits of our easy to operate, high-tech method for measuring vehicle crush profiles. The total station system in use is the TruPoint 300 product from Laser Tech, with their QuickMap3D flagship data collection app. This system is fully capable of recording all the important measurements for crush profile down to mm-level accuracy.

Access to the front of this vehicle where the damage in question occurred was already present. So, moving a vehicle to gain sight to the entire extent of the damage was not necessary.

Starting the Profiling Process

It is always best to visibly mark the point of maximum impact and construct a 2D plane of measurement across the boundary of the deformation. In this case we use a strip of blue tape. We position the total station at a comfortable distance from the vehicle.  The operator may now walk between each without risk of bumping the instrument. We choose a spot where all the significant surfaces of the damage are clearly in line of sight.

A total station positions at a comfortable distance from the vehicle

Next, we establish a backsight point where we can reference the horizontal angle and begin our survey. We check this again when profiling is complete, for assurance in quality. In a matter of minutes, we can collect hundreds of data points, if necessary, with just one single operator. In this case, we take approximately 40 points  along the marked 2D plane.

At this point, we can gather other critical points of reference on the vehicle. We want to collect all info that may be important to the crash investigator. This can include the corners of the body, but more importantly accounts for the axles, or center of the wheels, which are critical in when comparing the data to an exemplar vehicle. Use a target pole to accurately locate points of evidence that happen to be out of direct sight of the total station.

Let’ say that you need to measure damage on more than one side of a vehicle. Simply move the total station to another point and continue the survey of other crush areas. All the points will properly join in the data field and no stitching together of two data sets will be necessary.

Generating Crush Profile Data Reports

Total station’s crush profile data

After checking the vehicle crush profile data for quality in the field, it can import directly into any popular CAD based (or other) diagramming software.

To the left, the raw data shows the crush profile, as well as the collected body and axle points. Next, we see a close up of the damage area with exemplar vehicle data overlaid on top of the crush, with the reference points at the axles accurately aligned.

Crush profile data answers questions for crash investigators

We can then calculate the crush measurement spacing based on the width of the damage, (2” in this case) and the corresponding displacement values, which we measure using a CAD program. This data feeds into the equations for determining speed from crush. We can then import the “to-scale” profile for use in the scaled diagram.

There is no doubt that a crush profile of a vehicle can be an extremely useful piece of the puzzle for the Crash Investigator. Today’s high-tech mapping method, using a simple total station system, makes the job of collecting this critical data quick and easy. Gather evidence with a minimum impact on valuable resources.

Receive the Full White Paper as a PDF

Then, watch the Detailed Vehicle Profile Crush Measurements Webinar to better understand how modern technology simplifies crush data collection.

Steve Colburn is the Applications Training Specialist at Laser Technology, Inc. Photos and case study data courtesy of: Rich Maxwell

The post Easy Mapping Method for Collecting Vehicle Crush Profile Data appeared first on Laser Tech.

Laser Technology has completed a successful Crash and Crime Mapping Summit held at its headquarters September 24-25, 2018.

LTI’s team of mapping professionals consisting of retired and active police officers attended the event to provide crucial market feedback, learn about and receive training on products and solutions, and to ensure they are prepared with all the equipment and software necessary to best serve our customers. 

A Summary of the Crash and Crime Summit

The Key Note address delivered by Michael Allard entitled “Laser Technology & Unmanned Aircraft” was the highlight of the event. Michael is the owner of Northeast Diagramming Services as well as a current law enforcement officer with nearly 30 years of experience in crash and crime mapping.

His presentation included real-world use cases and an outdoor drone flight demonstration which would later be merged together with ground measurements at the end of the address.

The presented material covered the importance of complementary equipment in the field, the pros and cons of drone usage in crash and crime mapping scenarios, and how to use drone imagery with ground measurement data to create the foundation for dynamic and comprehensive scene diagrams for court.

Live demonstrations from LTI’s Crash and Crime Mapping Summit

“Everything was extremely well planned, organized, and executed. We all walked away with a greater knowledge of the equipment – as well as a greater understanding of corporate processes.”

– Eric Heitmann, Eric Heitmann & Associates.

Our pro team mapped a mock crash scene with an iPad using the TruPulse^® 200X and MapStar^® TruAngle^® system with QuickMap 3D^® for iOS; then moved indoors to try out the new TruPoint^™ 300 high accuracy laser to map a mock crime indoors with QuickMap 3D for Android^®.

Looking Ahead

An emphasis on the importance of understanding the accuracy, specifications, and programming of LTI laser measurement devices was the underlying theme of event training. We look forward to molding our future products based on the expert competitive feedback and product innovation ideas shared by our training team and carrying this event forward into the future. 

The post Laser Technology, Inc. Holds First Annual Crash & Crime Mapping Summit appeared first on Laser Tech.

Crime scene investigators spend an average of eight to ten hours to process a crime scene. Too often, these professionals wind up spending thirty-five hours per scene collecting evidence.

Crime scene investigators continue to feel pressure to collect evidence quickly.  Numerous bodies come and go, onlookers gather around the building, and contamination of a crime scene happens fast. 

New Crime Scene Mapping Technologies Await Utilization

Using modern technology to map crime scenes

Melanie Basich discusses a new tool crime scene investigators are turning too to help map and document a crime scene quicker and more efficiently in her article “Capturing Crime Scene Images” in Police Magazine.

In a technology driven market, it may come as a surprise that many departments still use old-school mapping methods. Tape measures and photographs document and map crime scenes as departments resist upgrading to a 3D scanner, drone or any other mapping device.

Department Budgets Limiting Ease of Modern Reconstruction Tech?

Crash and crime mapping with Laser Tech (LTI) laser rangefinders is one of the simplest methods that maintains primary source accuracy while integrating into other datasets with ease.

3D scanners come with a hefty price tag, extensive training, and sometimes collects too much information that now needs to be sorted and evaluated. Drones are becoming a popular choice among mappers, but just like 3D scanners, require a large upfront cost. 

Not only are drones costly, but many require an additional purchase of a software mapping package. Additionally, departments need a certified remote pilot and who has passed the FAA Airman Knowledge Test. In some cases, depending what operations class you want to fly in, you may need special FAA airspace approval. 

Total stations are becoming a popular choice among Crime Scene Investigators. With the point-and-shoot feature, it gives investigators the documentation they need without post processing a million points. Laser Technology, Inc. (LTI), Incident Mapping Kits were designed for just that but is offered at a much lower price point and is smaller in size. They allow investigators to quickly survey a scene and receive highly-accurate and repeatable results. 

Read more about an LTI Incident Mapping Kit in Police Magazine and read more about Laser Tech’s crash mapping tools for more information. 

The post Cut Crime Scene Mapping Time in Half  appeared first on Laser Tech.

When it comes to the forensic mapping of a motor vehicle crash or crime scene, one of the main rules is the K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple, Sarge!) principle. You also need to be accurate in documenting the scene. I have found over the years, Laser Tech (LTI) has been able to, and still does, meet these primary needs.

The advent of drones, 3D scanners, and other types of modernized automated systems has many investigators swept up. No doubt, these advanced tools are powerful and useful in their own ways. Still, when it comes to the vast majority of crashes that require police to reconstruct the scene, a lot of these systems are overkill and tend to be cost-prohibitive.

Getting Back to the Basics of Forensic Mapping

Retired SGT Rich Maxwell (left) visits the Laser Tech booth, with forensic mapping systems on display, Police Security Expo (PSE) 2023 event

Considering the final product you want to produce is the first step for an at-scene investigator. This will dictate what sorts of mapping equipment you should use. You’ll draw a basic flat 2D map of the scene to-scale in almost every instance. You can print this out, touch it, and put it in the case folder; believe it or not, many police agencies still use old-school case folders!

2D diagrams also enable crash reconstructionists to produce CAD program sequences in time, distance, and momentum, with all necessary diagrams ready for printing. These 2D diagrams are also very useful in court, especially when they’re enlarged or used in PowerPoint^®. Some newer systems, advanced as they are, cannot support these basic needs. 

Securing Accurate Crash Reconstruction Measurements 

Here’s a common topic of discussion: What is the measurement accuracy of this forensic mapping system? Is it more accurate than my other system?

Laser Tech’s crash reconstruction mapping kits can achieve a distance accuracy of ±1.6 inches, with an inclination and azimuth accuracy of ±0.1 degrees. Some will say that’s too high of a tolerance for distance. Others are quite comfortable with it. Before you decide, let’s take a closer look at accuracy when dealing with crash investigation mapping.

In your first crash investigation mapping class, they taught you how to measure a scene and draw a scaled diagram by hand.

Were the tape measures certified? Did the fiberglass tapes stretch? Was it really a right angle for the coordinate measurement?   

How long was that skid mark? I saw two more feet than you did! Do we use the longest skid or the shortest skid? Or, do we add and average the length of the skids for our speed calculations?

3D laser scanners are capable of capturing truly amazing crash scene imagery, but even these advanced systems do not capture everything.

Then we drew a scaled diagram at one inch equals ten or twenty feet.

How wide was the pencil point? Six inches, one foot? So much for accuracy they taught us in class!

Let’s take a look at modern crash reconstruction technology.

Are you holding your prism pole perfectly plum on the spot? What is your drone’s lens-to-sensor aspect ratio? What about the angle of view and image distortion?

We dismissed photogrammetry years ago as being so inaccurate that it couldn’t stand up in court! Even scanners don’t “get” everything. The “spot” requires enhancement, which then threatens to change its location, height, and even size.

None of this equipment is accurate enough to truly measure a critical speed yaw mark on a road surface.

You still have to complete this by hand. Investigators must take measurements on at least two portions of the yaw to record the decreasing radius of the arc for any speed calculations. Let’s not forget the sensitivity analysis! One must show the range of high and low speeds based on all the variables involved.

So, does an inch or two really matter in the long run?

If the curb line is half an inch off, did it have anything to do with the crash? Nope! Remember, we draw our diagrams to a scale. It’s not a scaled diagram of the crash. 

Control Your Forensic Mapping Measurements with Laser Tech (LTI) Tools

One of the significant advantages of a Laser Tech mapping system is that you are in control of the entire process from start to finish.  You select the location to set up the station, you decide what evidence to document, and most importantly, you control the number of points to measure.

If you need 20 points, you shoot 20 points. If you need 500 points, you shoot 500 points. The system does not decide how many points to map or which points to map. With Laser Tech mapping solutions, you make all the decisions. 

The user controls which points are collected when performing forensic mapping for crash investigation with Laser Tech’s QuickMap 3D solution.

With Laser Tech’s LaserSoft^® QuickMap 3D^® as your data collection application, you can visualize the scene developing before your very eyes. You can even find distances between points and zoom into areas of the scene. Let’s also not forget that you can fire the laser wirelessly from the tablet! You are not relying on an automatic system. You know exactly what your LTI crash investigation mapping system is recording.

Adding to the problem are the many operational limitations and requirements of some newer systems. In plenty of cases, the operator has no control over this. Yes, every system has limitations; but in my experience, the LTI crash reconstruction mapping systems have much fewer limitations than drones or scanners.

Using a Laser Tech (LTI) Crash Reconstruction Mapping System: Overview of Operational Procedures

Picture a crash or crime scene that requires crash investigation mapping. You are the investigating officer.

Laser Tech’s TruSpeed Sxb forensic mapping kit for crash investigation and reconstruction is equipped with a MapStar TruAngle encoder and the QuickMap 3D app.

Arriving at the Scene

One of the first things you need to do is determine what evidence requires documentation. This dictates how large the area, or scene, will be. Imagine that you’re planning to utilize an LTI forensic mapping system. Your next step is to select a safe location to set up the station. ideally, you want to pick a spot where all evidence points are visible. If one location won’t do the trick, you can easily move, or traverse, your system as many times as the scene requires.

Your LTI mapping station consists of a survey tripod, tribrach, a MapStar^® TruAngle^® encoder, either a TruPulse 200X^® or TruSpeed SXb^® laser rangefinder, and a tablet with QuickMap 3D running. Setting up the station takes you about 5 minutes. You can cut that down even further once you become more familiar with the process.

Capturing the Scene

You start shooting the evidence points in one of two ways: you can either shoot the laser to a prism or you can shoot directly to the point or object itself. If shooting to a prism, you’ll need a teammate to hold the prism pole at each evidence point. With this 2D mapping system, there is no need for you to register the target’s height. Your Laser Tech system “flattens” the scene.

When you “fire” the laser, your LTI crash investigation mapping system measures azimuth, inclination, and slope distance all at once. This data displays as a dot, with a sequential number and note, in an X-Y grid within your QuickMap 3D app. This makes it easy to see each evidence point you’ve recorded in the scene. As you record the points, you even have the ability to connect them with a line or arc. This is just the tip of the iceberg of features in QuickMap 3D!

You finish shooting the scene. Now, you can save your work in seven different formats and email them to the required addresses. Did I mention that you don’t need any cables? You can fire the laser and transfer the data over Bluetooth™ at a range of over 200 feet!

Numerous CAD programs are out there, and files created in Laser Tech’s QuickMap 3D® will open in all of them.

Back at the Office

You’re back at the office. You download the files of the scene from your email and import the appropriate file(s) into your CAD program. From here, you basically connect the dots to draw the scene. You can add features as needed and the diagram can be as straightforward or as elaborate as you want to make it. Sometimes the aforementioned K.I.S.S. principle works here too.

Numerous CAD programs are out there, and the files you’ve created in QuickMap 3D® will open in all of them. I have found FARO^® Zone 2D to be a very user-friendly program. It comes with more features than you might expect at its selling price! It also does not require a high-end gaming computer to run the software and will run on almost any modern computer or laptop. 

Conclusion 

I discussed dealing with a crash scene, but I would like to mention Laser Tech’s TruPoint 300^® forensic mapping system briefly. It is a smaller total station system that can map both indoor and outdoor scenes. It uses the same tablets and QuickMap 3D software as the mapping systems discussed above. You get measurements by placing the red dot aiming feature at the evidence point. Just like other Laser Tech crash reconstruction mapping systems, each shot records the same three types of measurements outlined above. It also measures in 2D or 3D. 

One of the side benefits of this system is an accuracy of ±1 mm (±0.04 inches) for distance measurements. This makes it a perfect tool for measuring the crush-profile of a vehicle.

Laser Tech’s TruPoint 300 forensic mapping system for crash reconstruction achieves±1 mm (±0.04 inches) distance accuracy.

Some Additional Takeaways on Laser Tech for forensic mapping:

• All the costs are upfront
• Typically, these upfront costs are much less than the other systems
• There are no back-end annual fees for software, cloud storage, and additional hidden fees
• There are no governmental licensing or drone flight insurances to worry about
• It does not take twenty minutes to an hour to render a scene before you can start working on the diagram
• Measuring the average crash scene in its entirety can take less than an hour

Several goals present themselves when you investigate a crash scene. One of them is minimizing roadway closure time, which makes life easier for everyone involved. Laser Tech’s crash investigation mapping systems have the capability to quickly and easily produce the data to make a “basic” map.  Still, they can produce detailed, extensive 3D measurements to achieve more than basic maps. Just remember, K.I.S.S.

The post Forensic Mapping with Laser Tech: Back to the Basics appeared first on Laser Tech.

Writing Grant Applications Yourself

Hiring a grant writing group or individual can work for larger agencies. If you belong to a smaller agency, going through the process yourself can almost always help your team save resources. Don’t get discouraged by the fact that the grant proposal writing process can be tedious. There are a considerable number of valuable resources available online to help you along the way.

We’ve compiled some of our favorites into this resource hub, which includes grant writing tips, grant application how-to’s, next steps for funding, and more. Our goal is to help point you and your agency’s traffic safety initiatives toward greater success.

How to Get Started

Grants.gov is an excellent resource for anyone looking into funding assistance for law enforcement. Their community blog makes for a great first stop. You can get your footing by reviewing comprehensive instructions on several critical topics through their How-To blog series.

This includes:

• Registering and Maintaining a Grants.gov Account
• Determining Your Eligibility
• Identifying Funding Opportunities
• Applying to Funding Opportunities via Workspaces
• Completing Applications
• Checking Applications for Errors
• Submitting Completed Applications

You can explore other helpful topics through the search feature or by browsing through the “Categories of Posts” side panel. Two topics we recommend for beginners are grant eligibility and grant writing tips. Collectively, these three blog articles do a great job of teaching readers the basics on writing grant proposals.

Quick tip: Signing up to receive notifications of new grants.gov blog posts by email is an easy way to help keep yourself up to date with the latest news and trends.

Then, use the Search Grants, Get Started, and Grant Policies tools to start finding the funding assistance that best suits your needs. Valuable as these tools are, grants.gov is not the one and only site to visit.

Finding Funding Assistance Through State Highway Safety Offices

Another top-notch resource for government funding comes from the good folks at the GHSA. State agencies can open up a whole new world of funding assistance opportunities. Because of this, you’ll want to keep their State Highway Safety Offices hub close at hand. Use the listings to visit relevant state-based websites and look for the Grants section on their home pages. There, you can learn more about what resource programs are on the table and how to go about securing funds.

The GHSA helps make it easier to find the right traffic enforcement grants for your agency.

The GHSA Federal Grant Programs page is another key link to keep in your pocket as an aspiring grant writer. You’ll want to keep all your options open. Maximize your ability to capitalize on as many available resource programs as you can. It is true that narrowing your focus for each specific grant is a must. With every new grant application, getting down to specifics and nailing the details are key. Still, we recommend starting with a large pool.

Next Steps for Assistance with Government Funding Proposals

Use these other favorite web resources to boost your success with writing grant proposals.

Popular Grant Assistance Resources:

1. Highway Safety Grants Program | NHTSA For State and Local Agencies and Sheriffs Offices
2. Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP) Grant | FMCSA (dot.gov) For Commercial Motor Vehicle Division/Section
3. JAG Grants (Justice Assistance Grant)

Public & Private Grant Funding Services:

1. Road to Zero
2. State Farm
3. Toyota 4 Good

Want to learn more?

Laser Tech’s webinar on writing law enforcement grants is available as a PDF with all slides and a full transcription.

Our traffic safety law enforcement grant writing webinar is now available as a PDF. This features all original slides and a full transcription included as click-to-toggle notes. The advice offered in each section can help you learn best practices and tips for writing successful grant applications. It has been a few years since this webinar went live, but the themes and lessons discussed by our panel of traffic safety experts remain helpful and relevant.

Here are six examples of the key topics covered by our panel:

• What is a grant?
• Federal Initiatives
• Where to start
• Securing grant money
• Leveraging media
• Implementation

Download the Writing Grant Proposals webinar as a PDF

Contact our team if you have any questions for your regional Laser Tech representative, who may be able to help further specify which resources will work best for you based on your location, resources, and traffic safety needs.

The post Law Enforcement Grants: Application Resources for Success appeared first on Laser Tech.

Optimizing time consumption and personnel use can be important elements that don’t show up on forensics reports. There can also be x-factors to work around, like weather and time of day, which is especially true with outdoor scene mapping. Troublesome as these aspects may be, it is important to make sure that nothing gets in the way of quality data collection. Building a versatile and diverse crash and crime reconstruction toolkit is one of the best ways to adhere to this rule.

Pros and Cons of 7 Different Crash Investigation and Reconstruction Tools

There is a wide range of tools available to crash investigation and reconstruction professionals.  Everyone has their favorites, but there is no single tool that remains perfect for every single mapping situation. Understanding the pros and cons that come with each option, from traditional tape measures to our TruPulse laser rangefinders and even highly sophisticated 3-D total stations, is a tool in itself. In that spirit, this article argues that crash and crime reconstruction professionals should adopt the phrase “the more tools, the better,” and aims to tell you why, one tool at a time.

Here is a breakdown of seven different options that can help boost your crash investigation and reconstruction toolkit’s versatility:

1) Tape Measures and Measuring Wheels

Tape measures are no longer the best tool for crash investigation and mapping, but they still have benefits to offer.

This is one of your traditional measurement methods. Use an expandable and physically marked tape to measure distances between two points.

Cons

• Time-consuming & tedious
• Difficult over long ranges
• Requires more personnel to cover larger areas
• Requires manual entry into records
• Requires a straight line between points A and B
• Un-flat surfaces and curbs can inflate distances recorded by measuring wheels

Pros:

Measuring wheels can come in handy, though non-flat surfaces and curbs can cause inaccurate distance measurements

• Very low cost
• Useful for quick & short-range measurements
• Can achieve a millimeter accuracy
• Tape measures are handy for scaling
• Works as a backup when electronic tech fails

Verdict:

Keep a tape measure or two readily available whenever crash or crime mapping is needed. Do not use it to map your whole scene, especially if animation is a goal. Still, it can come in handy more than you might expect, it remains a great option for short-range measurements and device calibration routines.

Resources for you:

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Tape Measures

The 6 Best Tape Measures of 2023

2) Close-Range Photogrammetry

This classic and simple method of documentation includes taking multiple photographs of the scene from ground level and using known measurements to determine proper scaling and other mathematic information. 

Ground-level photogrammetry is a simple method of crash investigation that functions best as a visual complement to more detailed reports.

Cons:

• Can be difficult to achieve high accuracy
• Requires proper use and knowledge of cameras
• Not recommended as a primary source, limited reliability in court settings

Pros:

• Great tool for older cases where the scene has since changed
• Works well for complementary backup documentation and as a simplified visual aid
• Relatively quick and easy to perform

Verdict:

Why not? Although this is quickly being replaced by drone-based aerial photogrammetry, if the situation allows for ground-based photogrammetry, it cannot hurt to include the practice with your other, more sophisticated mapping and reconstruction methods.

Resources for you:

Photogrammetry – History and Modern Uses

What is Photogrammetry?

Practical Target Location and Accuracy Indicator in Digital Close-Range Photogrammetry Using Consumer-Grade Cameras

3) Laser Tech (LTI) TruPulse Laser Rangefinders

These electronic devices use eye-safe reflectorless lidar technology to gather angle and distance measurements from a single, sighted target at a time. Integrate laser rangefinders with GNSS technology to include offset positioning functionality.

Crash investigation and mapping with Laser Tech (LTI) laser rangefinders is one of the simplest methods that maintain primary source accuracy while integrating into other datasets with ease.

Cons:

• No wired connections from laser to tablet or mobile device
• Only measures to target surfaces

Pros

• Can achieve accuracy within ± 4 cm (1.6 in)
• About ¼ the cost of traditional total stations
• Easy to learn and teach to others
• No annual maintenance fees on hardware or software
• Conveniently sized yet compact, robust, and weatherproof
• Quick setup, start shooting your scene within 5 minutes
• Pairs with apps specifically designed for crash & crime mapping
• Single-user, point-per-shot operation welcomes annotation with every measurement
• Various file outputs are ready for emailing directly from the device
• Great for integrating with drones, especially concerning ground control points

Verdict:

Mapping with TruPulse laser rangefinders, especially within specifically designed crash and crime reconstruction software like LaserSoft QuickMap 3D, is an easy way to create accurate point-based datasets that can easily integrate into and enhance another method’s findings or function as primary sources on their own.

Resources for you:

The Do’s and Don’t of Mapping: Life-Saving Tips

Revolutionizing Crash Reconstruction with Drones and Lasers

TruPulse 200 Series Heigh Measurement Accuracies

Crash Mapping Made Easy

4) Drones (Aerial Photogrammetry)

These typically small and portable aerial devices continue to grow in popularity and functionality every day, advancing the practice of aerial photogrammetry to the forefront of crash investigation and reconstruction. Use a pre-programmed flight plan or free flight via remote control to gather photos from above with metadata & GPS info included.

Drones offer a time-efficient and versatile method of capturing crash investigation data via aerial photogrammetry.

Cons:

• Requires permits, licenses, FAA rule & regulation adherence
• Can be limited based on weather, though more expensive models can handle worse weather
• Can require software subscriptions to create point clouds that provide legitimacy to drone-based photogrammetry for court purposes
• Nighttime and dark lighting conditions can cause issues

Pros:

• Time efficient
• Remote operation, single user
• Works well with ground-based measurements, combining both for best accuracy & versatile (potentially 3D) point clouds
• Typically integrates very well with other tools
• Can be used as a standalone mapping tool

Verdict:

There are many reasons why nearly every crash investigation team has drones in their arsenal, between the speed at which a fairly large scene can be captured with high detail, the ability to pre-plan flight paths for autonomous completion, and the integration-ready nature of the photogrammetry data, the question isn’t so much “are drones right for me?” as it is “which drone is right for me?”

Resources for you:

Drone Mapping Webinar: Aerial and Ground Measurements

How to Choose the Best Camera for Photogrammetry

The 13 Best Drones You Can Buy in 2023

5) Reflectorless/Mechanical Total Stations

Very similar to their robotic alternatives, these electronic devices capture exceptionally accurate angle and distance measurements, but they require a second operator to physically occupy an asset’s location and hold a prism for the instrument to target in on.

Cons:

Reflectorless total stations achieve very high accuracy, much like their more expensive robotic alternatives, but require two operators.

• Requires at least two operators (one to operate the station, one to hold the prism pole at data collection points)
• Typically records measurements only
• Setup can be time-consuming
• Bulky & heavy
• Sensitive nature requires somewhat delicate transport
• Operation can be difficult to learn and teach

Pros:

• Less expensive than robotic alternative
• Achieves exceptionally high accuracy, with survey-grade total stations offering the best accuracy
• Weatherproof
• Can create output files ready for 3D rendering
• Output file versatility means easy integration with other data sets and easy importing into CAD and CADD programs

Verdict:

If you can’t afford a robotic total station but still want exceptional accuracy, and have the personnel for two-person operation, look no further than reflectorless robotic stations!

Resources for you:

Mechanical vs. Robotic Layout: Is a Robotic Total Station Really Worth It?

From Manual to Automated Surveying: How to Pick the Right Total Station

The Ultimate Buyers Guide to Total Stations

6) Robotic Total Stations

These electronic instruments use optic positioning to measure vertical angles, horizontal angles, and distances from the instrument to visual targets and can be remotely operated by a single user while achieving some of the highest accuracy available.

Cons:

Robotic total stations are very expensive but offer exceptional accuracy to crash investigation and mapping professionals.

• Very expensive
• Typically records measurements only, without notes or comprehensive report-making available within the station itself
• Setup can be time-consuming
• Bulky & heavy
• Sensitive nature requires somewhat delicate transport
• Operation can be difficult to learn and teach

Pros:

• Achieves very high accuracy
• Single operator
• Weatherproof
• Can create output files ready for 3D rendering
• Output file versatility means easy integration with other data sets and importing into CAD and CADD programs

Verdict:

If you can afford it, adding a robotic total station to your crash investigation and reconstruction toolkit is a no-brainer. The output versatility and accuracy achieved during data point collection are often considered to be worth the price.

Resources for you:

Best Total Station Brands

How do robotic total stations work?

Everything you need to know about Robotic Total Stations

7) 3D Laser Scanners

These electronic devices capture and render an environment and its features as three-dimensional visual objects.

3D laser scanners represent the most technologically advanced, and most expensive, option available to crash investigation and reconstruction professionals.

Cons:

• By far the most expensive option (very high initial station cost, plus initial software cost, software update costs, maintenance/calibration costs, training courses costs, data storage/high RAM computer costs, etc.)
• Arguably the hardest tool to learn & teach
• Often requires courses to become certified
• Requires clear POV during the scan
• Visual interruptions can cause issues with renderings, creating some visual noise
• Produces massive file sizes that require more powerful computers for data processing
• Depending on scanner quality, scans can be time-consuming, and crash or crime scenes can change before all scans are done, especially thanks to weather changes

Pros

• Takes millions of points for 2-D and 3-D rendering, to generate truly amazing visuals
• Output imagery includes highly accurate measurement data
• Scans can be very easily imported into animation generation software
• Single user operation
• Creates the most complete and court-ready output files in various formats

Verdict:

If you can afford it, 3D laser scanners are top-of-the-line and capable of generating amazingly detailed and accurate renderings of crash and crime scenes.

Resources for you:

What Are The Benefits Of 3D Laser Scanning

3D Laser Scanners: A Buyer’s Guide for Professionals

Top 3D Scanning Software Options of 2023

Why Diversify Your Crash Investigation and Reconstruction Toolkit?

There are many reasons to keep your crash and crime mapping toolkit diverse and full of options. For one, there is the ability to integrate multiple data collection methods into one comprehensive report. This not only verifies your findings but opens up different angles, literally, for data analysis. Aside from this, you want to stay prepared for different situations.

In a perfect world, crash investigation and reconstruction professionals would be able to bring all their tools to every scene, but this is not realistic. More often than not, each scene’s unique situation will need to be weighed against your available tools and personnel. With this general rule in mind, the more options you have, the better.

The post Crash Investigation: 7 Reconstruction Tools appeared first on Laser Tech.

Access the full article (as seen in The Guardian magazine) as a download-ready PDF

By Matt Torman, Contributing Writer (2018)

Georgia is the No. 1 state in the nation to do business, but it’s also No. 4 in the nation in the number of fatal crashes involving commercial motor vehicles (CMVs).

CENTENNIAL, Colorado – To fight the rising tide of CMV accidents, Georgia is leaving no rock unturned in its quest to find more innovative, effective solutions to increase highway safety.

The state’s rank in fatal CMV crashes weighs heavily on the Motor Carrier Compliance Division (MCCD) of the Georgia Department of Public Safety, the agency charged with enforcing commercial vehicle safety laws and also the lead Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP) agency in Georgia.

This thriving southeastern state has experienced rapid population and business growth in a short amount of time, and the by-product of that growth means large-scale increases in commercial traffic on the roadways of Georgia. Today, more than 3 million trucks travel through Georgia inspection stations every month, and it’s up to the MCCD to take on the incredibly difficult task of maintaining a safer transportation environment while the roadways continue to get more congested.

MCCD officials wondered what additional efforts they could implement to ensure an effective crash reduction program that changes unsafe CMV driver behavior over time. Part of the solution was to focus on educational and enforcement efforts to change driver behavior in the short term, and sustain efforts to dramatically reduce CMV-related traffic deaths in the long term.

But the department also had to assess whether it was utilizing every tool at its disposal to effect the greatest possible change in commercial vehicle safety. That’s when department officials started exploring groundbreaking LIDAR technology that could change how it enforced two major factors contributing to crashes involving commercial motor vehicles – speeding and following too closely.

CMV Traffic Swells Amid Statewide Growth

Georgia has been the top place to do business in the United States for five straight years, according to Site Selection magazine. With more than 1,200 miles of interstate highways, one of the busiest airports in the country (Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International), and deep-water ports in Savannah and Brunswick, both of which experienced record growth in 2017, commercial trucking continues to be crucial to the state’s business environment.

Since 2010, the Peach State has averaged more than 3,000 new motor carriers starting business each year, and more than 64,000 registered motor carriers hit the roads on any given day. With estimates projecting Georgia’s population to rise to nearly 11 million people by 2020, and a major port expansion and harbor deepening in Savannah, CMV traffic across the state will increase by as much as 60 percent.

More commercial vehicles on the road means the increasing potential for more CMV-related accidents, something Major Johnny Jones, the commanding officer in the Georgia Department of Public Safety’s MCCD unit, is well aware of.

“From 2013 to 2016, Georgia reported more than 7,500 CMV-involved crashes that caused injuries, and CMV-involved work zone crashes increased 48 percent over the past two years alone,” Maj. Jones said.

“We have to have better preventative measures to reduce the amount of crashes involving large trucks and buses in Georgia.”

In 2017, approximately 18 people a month were killed in traffic crashes involving commercial vehicles in Georgia, and one of the major causes of CMV-related accidents in the state is due to drivers following too closely. Following too closely is Georgia’s second-leading crash causation factor involving CMVs (after improper lane usage), and it’s no surprise given how difficult it is to unexpectedly brake large commercial trucks in short distances.

Department of Public Safety analysts examining state crash data discovered that rear-end collisions account for 25 percent of CMV crashes statewide, and that number rises to 33 percent in high-crash corridors. The speed of a commercial motor vehicle is very much relative in determining how quickly a large truck or bus can brake within a certain amount of time and distance.

At 60 mph, properly maintained commercial vehicles are currently allowed up to 335 feet to stop, just over the length of a professional football field.

Truck drivers who fail to give the proper amount of space to a vehicle in front of them, or those who are cut off by lighter-weight vehicles, then, have little margin for error.

Armed with this information, the Georgia Department of Public Safety’s MCCD focused more heavily on reducing the number of trucks following too closely and improving safety on the state’s roadways. However, the only tools officers have historically had to recognize following-too-closely infractions were based on training and experience, which varies from officer to officer.

“We use RADAR and LIDAR technology for speed detection, but except for training and experience we have not had technology that would help us enforce Georgia’s following-too-closely law,” Maj. Jones said. “However, a few years ago, we discovered a patented LIDAR technology that measures time and distance between vehicles, as well as vehicle speed. This technology also was equipped with both photographic and video capabilities.”

Embracing Laser Speed Technology with Video

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) recognizes the need for additional financial support to improve traffic safety in high-risk regions and provides states reporting the most CMV crashes with MCSAP grants to help reduce collisions involving such vehicles.

As the lead MCSAP agency for Georgia, MCCD uses those funds to reduce CMV-involved crashes, fatalities, and injuries through consistent, uniform, and effective CMV safety programs, which include the inspection of CMVs and CMV drivers. In accordance with state and national standards, all 270-plus law enforcement officers in MCCD are thoroughly trained to perform North American Driver/Vehicle inspections on large trucks and buses. In addition to personnel and training, MCCD also invests this funding in education and awareness programs, which includes educating the motoring public, the commercial vehicle industry, and other law enforcement agencies in Georgia.

But the agency also uses both state and federal funding to reinvest in more modern traffic enforcement technologies. In 2014, the Georgia MCCD purchased speed detection LIDARs with digital video capabilities because they could capture several things officers believed could help reduce rear-end collisions:

• Vehicle speed
• The time and distance between vehicles
• Photographic and video evidence that could support speed and following-too-closely violations

Suddenly, some of the MCCD’s traffic safety awareness campaigns were taking a different shape.

“We often highlight the capabilities of our department on social media and through media PSAs to emphasize commercial vehicle safety programs in our state,” Maj. Jones said. “But at every opportunity, we educate the public and trucking organizations about the cutting-edge LIDAR capabilities that we now possess. We want drivers to know that we can measure their speed, the time and distance between two vehicles, take their picture and capture their tag number, all at the same time.”

Reducing Risk, Increasing Safety on Georgia Roads

The same manufacturer that released the very first commercial LIDAR speed device in the 1990s developed one of the most sophisticated laser photo/video speed enforcement tools available today. The device collects and stores a complete chain of video evidence for speeding and tailgating violations, along with a high-resolution image that identifies vehicle make, model, and license plate number.

“It’s unlike any other piece of equipment out there,” Maj. Jones said. “This single device, with its ability to enforce speed and tailgating issues, has transformed how we can monitor commercial vehicles and enforce Georgia state law relative to following too closely. It is able to capture these critical measurements and support them with video and photo evidence.”

Since 2014, MCCD has increased its following-too-closely citations by 275 percent and its speed violations have increased more than 300 percent, something Georgia law enforcement experts say will help seriously reduce the risk and severity of CMV-related crashes. With over 200 video-enabled laser speed enforcement devices in use today, Maj. Jones said MCCD plans to purchase more as the agency continues to hire officers and as roadway safety efforts continue to progress.

In fact, the Georgia Department of Public Safety’s traffic enforcement programs have earned several FMCSA commendations since deploying these laser speed enforcement devices. The department earned an honorable mention for Safety Enforcement for 2015-16, and in 2016, it earned the distinction of winning FMCSA’s top honor – the Safety Enforcement Award – in commercial vehicle safety.

As the state continues to grow and the roads become more congested, and as long as motorists are being killed and injured on Georgia roadways, Maj. Jones says the Georgia Department of Public Safety will continue to invest in innovative solutions that are proven to help deter dangerous driving habits across the state.

“If we’re going to dramatically improve commercial vehicle safety in Georgia, we need all the tools we can get to effectively accomplish that mission,” he said. “This innovative, dependable LIDAR technology with video and photographic capability helps us keep up with traffic enforcement amid rising business and population expansion, and helps us create a safer transportation environment for our citizens and our nation’s motorists.”

Access the full (original) article as a download-ready PDF

Access the full article (as seen in The Guardian magazine) as a download-ready PDF

The post How Georgia Put Advanced LIDAR Technology to Work in Reducing CMV-Related Traffic Crashes appeared first on Laser Tech.