Each April, engineers and technical leaders from around the world convene in Detroit for the Society of Automotive Engineers’ World Congress (SAE WCX), the largest technical mobility event in North America. At SAE WCX 2026, MEA Forensic engineers Matthew Ahrens, Ian Miller, and Gabrielle Booth will present their latest research.
All three presentations will take place on April 15 as part of the Occupant Protection: Accident Reconstruction (Part 2) technical session in Room 251 B. Their work addresses questions in collision reconstruction, including vehicle deceleration behavior under varying road and tire conditions and the accuracy and uncertainty of consumer-grade GPS data.
Matthew Ahrens — 1:30 pm
Vehicle Deceleration Levels during Wet-to-Dry Transitions on an Asphalt Surface with a High Proportion of Aggregate
Building on prior research showing that ABS-equipped vehicles brake less effectively on wet asphalt than on dry asphalt, this study examines whether and how variations in road surface texture may influence braking performance under both wet and dry conditions. Researchers conducted controlled braking tests on a road with a high proportion of exposed aggregate, measuring vehicle deceleration across varying levels of road wetness.
Ian Miller — 2:00 pm
The Effect of Tire Tread Depth on Antilock-Brake System (ABS) Decelerations on Dry and Wet Asphalt and Concrete Road Surfaces
This study examines how tire tread depth affects braking performance in ABS-equipped vehicles under both dry and wet conditions. Researchers conducted controlled braking tests using a sport-utility vehicle fitted with multiple sets of tires, each set representing a different tread depth, on asphalt and concrete surfaces, measuring changes in vehicle deceleration.
Gabrielle Booth — 3:00 pm
Bias and Uncertainty in the Time, Position, and Speed Data of Consumer-Grade GPS Devices
This study examines the accuracy (bias) and precision (uncertainty) of time, position, and speed data from a range of consumer-grade GPS devices, including watches, bike computers, smartphones, and a camera. To quantify this, the researchers compared data recorded by these devices to measurements collected simultaneously using high-precision reference systems with much smaller measurement uncertainty.
You can consult the full SAE WCX 2026 Technical Sessions online for more details.
The Society of Automotive Engineers’ WCX™ World Congress Experience brings together the global engineering community to exchange practical, research-driven insights and address current and emerging challenges in mobility.
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