Simulations of a Motorcoach , northbound on Interstate 95, run-off-the-road, and vault into the Nottoway River, near Stony Creek, Virginia, July 29, 1997

Disclaimer: These simulations used scene and geological surveys, highway design plans, witness statements, vehicle testing, vehicle plans and vehicle operating characteristics. These depictions do represent actual lighting and weather conditions at the time of the accident. They do not exactly replicate the action of the vehicle upon entering the water and subsequent impact on the river floor.

These videos were presented at the Board meeting on 1/12/99 in Washington, D.C., and are available in either MPEG-1 or Quick-Time.

Four different views of the motorcoach as it ran off the road and vaulted are shown:

Animation 1. Notbbus.mpv (786K)
Notbbus.mov (771K)
Overhead view of the motorcoach from above and behind the bus

This first view displays the bus's path of travel off the northbound roadway, the shoulder, embankment, passing through a right-of-way fence and vaulting into the Nottoway River, where it overturns onto its left side. The bus travels at about 55 mph in the simulation as it leaves the road, and slows to 47 mph by braking momentarily just before the bus vaults into the river. The bus path is along a lighter green track that was surveyed by the Virginia State Police using a laser transit. (11 seconds)

Animation 2. Notfbus.mpv (786K)
Notfbus.mov (768K)
Overhead view of the motorcoach from above, looking rearward at the front of the bus.

A view similar to the first simulation from a different perspective showing the tracking of the front of the bus along the tire tracks that were measured at the accident scene. . The bus travels at about 55 mph in the simulation as it leaves the road, and slows to 47 mph by braking momentarily just before the bus vaults into the river. (11 seconds)

Animation 3. Notrvbus.mpv (219K)
Notrvbus.mov (261K)
Sideview of the bus vault into the river looking west from near the surface of the river.

Shows the view of the bus as it approaches the edge of the embankment, vaults into the river truck, and overturns onto its left side. (3 seconds)

notdvbus.mpv (787K)
notdvbus.mov (750K)
Bus driver’s potential view through the bus’s front window.

Shows the potential view of the bus driver as he ran off the road at about 55 mph, approached a right-of-way fence, braked momentarily to about 47 mph, and vaulted into the Nottoway River and overturned onto its right side. (11 seconds)

 

 

The simulations were produced on an HVEtm system using EDVDStm, EDVSMtm and EDGENtm programs. All of the programs are trademarks of the Engineering Dynamics Corporation.