Human Factors in Traffic Crash Reconstruction

This foundational program investigates the various human elements that contribute to traffic collisions, seeking to answer why crashes occur. Through a combination of classroom instruction, group discussions, practical demonstrations, and hands-on field work, participants develop a comprehensive understanding of human factors' role in collision causation. The course emphasizes the limitations of human evidence and demonstrates why the ability to properly interpret and evaluate physical evidence is essential for any crash investigator.

Beyond examining driver, vehicle, and roadway variables, this course reviews current research that establishes best practices for conducting scientifically sound collision investigations and for evaluating driver behavior in accordance with established norms under typical operating conditions.

Course Topics

• Scientific principles underlying response time in drivers
• Appropriate timing methodologies for time and distance calculations
• Proper investigative approaches and procedures
• Elements impacting driving performance, including age, substance use, exhaustion, attention division, and distraction
• Driver perception and response time characteristics, including initiation and completion points across various collision scenarios
• Daytime versus nighttime driving conditions
• Driver eye movement and visual scanning patterns
• Driver acceleration and steering mechanics
• Circumstances affecting speed selection by drivers
• Critical vehicle and environmental considerations
• Visibility factors including lighting, contrast, familiarity, object recognition, and object size in nighttime visibility
• Concealment factors and how roadway hazards may be obscured
• Distinguishing between warning signals and distracting elements
• Proper documentation techniques for nighttime collision investigations involving visibility concerns

Target Audience

This course serves law enforcement professionals, independent traffic crash investigators, insurance adjusters, engineers, prosecutors, occupational safety specialists, military investigators, and technical professionals in animation and graphic design. Florida-based sworn law enforcement officers may access grant-funded enrollment options through FDOT.

Program Details

Duration: 40 hours

Prerequisites: Completion of IPTM's Advanced Traffic Crash Investigation course or equivalent is required. Participants without substantial mathematics and physics preparation should consider taking IPTM's 16-hour Re-Introduction to Math and Physics online course beforehand.

Required Materials: Laptop computer for accessing course materials and electronic resources

Professional Credit: Participants may earn 40 ACTAR Continuing Education Units upon course completion.

Scheduled Offerings

Session 1: October 5-9, 2026 | Scott, Louisiana
Lafayette Parish SO Training Center, Building 2, 1825 West Willow Street, Scott, LA 70583
Hours: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM | Fee: $995.00 | Instructor: Tim Maloney

Session 2: October 26-30, 2026 | Irvine, California
Quail Hill Community Center, Multipurpose Room, 39 Shady Canyon Drive, Irvine, CA 92603
Hours: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM | Fee: $995.00 | Instructor: Tim Maloney