Advanced Camera Matching Techniques and Human Factors Methodologies for Pedestrian Fall Analysis and Investigation

Abstract

In this case series, camera matching techniques were used to enhance the analyses of pedestrian fall incidents by integrating video footage with three-dimensional laser scans and digital human models. Two fall incidents were evaluated as part of comprehensive forensic investigations that examined both intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors: a pedestrian falling backwards while ascending a large staircase to enter a restaurant, and a pedestrian falling forwards after losing his balance while descending a stadium aisle. The integrated methodology was utilized to quantify and map dynamic pedestrian movements relative to accurately measured environments. By embedding environmental geometry into the reconstruction, the methodology overcame the scaling and perspective limitations of conventional video footage and enabled extraction of detailed pedestrian movements and environmental interactions. The fall mechanics and gait patterns observed of the pedestrians’ body dynamics in both examples were inconsistent with falls caused by irregular environmental features.