Training Courses

Energy Methods and Damage Analysis in Traffic Crash Reconstruction by IPTM

Date & Time:
  • January 4, 2027 – January 8, 2027
Location:
Scott, LA

Energy Methods and Damage Analysis in Traffic Crash Reconstruction

This comprehensive 40-hour course is designed for traffic crash reconstructionists who want to master energy-based analysis techniques. Many professionals find energy concepts challenging and avoid using them in their work. This training removes those barriers by demystifying energy principles and teaching practical, scientifically-grounded methods for analyzing traffic collisions.

Throughout the course, participants will develop a comprehensive understanding of energy from basic principles through advanced applications. Key topics include Equivalent Barrier Speed (EBS), delta-V analysis, damage momentum, and crush analysis. The curriculum progresses logically from fundamental concepts to sophisticated collision analysis techniques, with particular emphasis on understanding how crush measurements relate to the three primary energy equations. Hands-on outdoor projects provide real-world experience in examining vehicles, measuring crush damage, and performing speed calculations.

The course covers the underlying science that computer-based crash reconstruction software programs utilize, making it an ideal complement to software training courses. Participants will become proficient in energy-based analysis methods and understand when these approaches are more appropriate than traditional conservation of linear momentum analysis.

Course Topics Include

  • Standards, measurements, and dimensional analysis
  • Conversion factors and vector mathematics
  • Damage momentum and crush analysis techniques
  • Crush measuring protocols and field measurement methods
  • Energy concepts and practical analysis applications
  • Post-impact drag factor determination
  • EBS and delta-V concepts and calculations
  • Conservation of linear momentum and delta-V vectors
  • Crush fundamentals and Hooke's Law
  • Collision analysis using damage momentum
  • Stiffness coefficients and their determination
  • Pole impacts and fracture energy analysis
  • Simultaneous equations for solving in-line collisions

Intended Audience

This course serves law enforcement and private traffic crash investigators, claims adjusters, engineers, attorneys, safety officers, and military investigative personnel. Florida sworn law enforcement personnel may qualify for FDOT grant-funded training seats.

Prerequisites

Completion of IPTM's Traffic Crash Reconstruction course or equivalent is required. Participants without strong mathematics and physics backgrounds are strongly encouraged to complete IPTM's 16-hour Re-Introduction to Math and Physics (Online) course first.

Course Requirements

Required Items: Scientific calculator and work clothes suitable for outdoor activities and inclement weather.

Recommended Items: Camera and flash drive (2GB or larger).

Course Details

Length: 40 hours

Class Hours: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Fee: $895.00

ACTAR Credit: 40 CEUs

Upcoming Sessions

Greensboro, North Carolina
October 5-9, 2026
Greensboro PD - District Two Substation, Community Room
2305 Soabar Street, Greensboro, NC 27406

Tempe, Arizona
November 16-20, 2026
Tempe Police Department - Hardy Substation
8201 South Hardy Drive, Tempe, AZ 85284
Instructors: John Daily, Hamed Sadrnia

Scott, Louisiana
January 4-8, 2027
Lafayette Parish SO Training Center
1825 West Willow Street, Building 2, Scott, LA 70583
Instructor: John Daily