HPD accident investigators were utilizing tape measurers and hand recording instruments to detail the scene of an accident. These details were then taken back to a single site location where investigators had access to only one computer that housed an outdated design program. If details were missed on scene it would be necessary for an investigator to return to the scene to gather the additional data and return to the office to enter the data in the computer.
With the donation of nine laptops and three desktop work stations for accident investigators, nine software packages of VistaFx SmartRoads and three software packages of VistaFx ProRecon software was purchased and installed in laptops and desktops.
With the new laptops being used in the field, this allowed investigators to sketch/diagram accident scenes quickly and accurately, eliminating the need of returning to the station. The investigators have the ability to input real-time data, minimizing error and lost information. The workstations installed with VistaFx ProRecon software allows the investigator to use the latest technology in crash scene drawing application as the foundation for highly accurate accident diagrams, 2-D animation, realistic 3-D imagery, and collision calculations for accurate reconstructions. The tools are easy to use, faster than hand written documents, and allows the download of data from Total Stations. Animations can be seen from various angles with the feature called Camera Watch.