Watch The First Ever Multi-Car Pileup Crash Test
This crash test was meant to simulate a multi-car pileup on a freeway, which in the real world poses a significant challenge for accident investigators to recreate without firsthand knowledge of how the accident actually took place. This experiment offers unique insight into what actually happens in the event of a devastating crash scenario, how real drivers react to a sudden road hazard, and how vehicle safety systems perform in such a complex crash.
PBS filmed the test which was staged on a two-mile long stretch of road on a decommissioned Royal Air Force base in Campbeltown, Scotland that was modified to mimic a freeway with a slow lane, middle lane, fast lane, and a shoulder. The film is 1 hour and 40 minutes long and provides a thorough deep dive into the methodology of the test as well as the investigation that follows, so it's perfect for diehard crash test aficionados and normies alike.
Read more: These Movies And TV Shows Have The Best Car Casting
As the first crash test of its kind, this high-speed pileup scenario required countless hours of preparation to ensure that no lives were harmed, no secrets were revealed, and that the accident occurred as it needed to. All eight passenger vehicles and one semi-truck used in the experiment had to be rigged up to operate as full-scale remote-controlled cars so test participants could best simulate a real-world crash, but only some of the vehicles were driven by unknowing volunteers. Half of the vehicles were piloted by test engineers who knew what to expect from the experiment, but the other half were unaware of the plan to simulate a multi-car pileup.
The four unsuspecting drivers were representative of different demographics: one very new female driver who remotely drove a 2002 Porsche Boxster, one mid-twenties male driver who describes himself as a "boy racer" who operated a 2009 Volkswagen GTI, one older woman who operated a 2012 Toyota Prius, and an older man who operated a 2012 Ford F-150. The other vehicles operated by engineers were a 2005 Audi A8, a 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan, a 2005 Mercedes-Benz ML, and a 2012 Vauxhall Vivaro cargo van. Each vehicle was selected to represent different vehicle classes, sizes, and engine layouts to provide a real-world representation of a diverse group of random cars.
Several Smart ForTwos were converted into simulators for the participants to operate their respective remote-controlled cars from, and a psychologist observed the volunteers as they practiced driving the remote-controlled cars and observed that their bodies were reacting to the situation as though they were actually behind the wheel of the moving vehicle. Dummies were placed into the remote-controlled cars, some wearing their seatbelts and others intentionally left unbuckled, and the stage was set for the test.
The accident staged in this test is meant to recreate an icy British motorway with a patch of black ice, as is sometimes the case in real-world high-speed pileups. To simulate a low-traction, icy surface on the airport runway, engineers found that gravel provided a loss of friction that was most similar to an icy roadway, and the test commenced. The team initiated the pileup by driving a remote-controlled semi-truck across the simulated lanes of oncoming traffic, directly in the path of the remote-controlled passenger cars right as the roadway suddenly became slippery. The unsuspecting drivers did their best to avoid the crash but could only do so much given the challenging road conditions.
The results are both alarming and fascinating, but I don't mean to spoil the ending, so give it a watch for yourself. On a totally related note, always wear your seatbelt and remain vigilant when you're behind the wheel of a car, as those are your best defenses against a potentially deadly accident like this one.
H/T to reader Steven Lance for sending this our way!
Want more like this? Join the Jalopnik newsletter to get the latest auto news sent straight to your inbox...
Read the original article on Jalopnik.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBS News
11 hours ago
- CBS News
4 confirmed dead after fiery crash on 605 Freeway in Norwalk, forcing closures
At least four people were killed in a fiery crash on the 605 Freeway in Norwalk early Sunday morning, according to the California Highway Patrol. The CHP said the collision was first reported at 12:53 a.m. on the Firestone Boulevard onramp on the southbound 605. A Toyota Prius was struck in the HOV lane, causing multiple vehicles to collide. Authorities said the Prius burst into flames. Four people were pronounced dead at the scene, the CHP confirmed. It's not yet clear if all four were inside the Prius, or if drivers or passengers in other vehicles were killed. Two more people were transported to a local hospital with injuries. One of them was transported in critical condition, while the other had minor injuries. The current condition of the critical patient remains unknown as of Sunday morning. It's not yet clear what caused the initial crash. Officials didn't state whether alcohol or drug use is believed to be a factor. All southbound lanes of the 605 remained closed as of 7 a.m. Sunday between Firestone and Rosecrans Avenue. It's not yet clear when they'll reopen. No additional details were immediately made available.
Miami Herald
20 hours ago
- Miami Herald
Toyota Prius Generations Overview: Evolution Of A Hybrid Pioneer
While hybrid sales are soaring today, that wasn't always the case. Early hybrids often had gawky styling and were woefully underpowered, whereas today, you can find any number of stylish, affordable hybrids. The Toyota Prius was the first mass-produced hybrid, and its evolution is a microcosm of the hybrid segment in general. Once little more than a statement for eco-consciousness, it has flourished into a genuinely desirable compact. Here's a closer look at all five Prius generations, with a focus on the normal Prius, not the smaller Prius C hatchback or larger Prius V that used to be on sale. A few years after launching in Japan, the first Toyota Prius arrived in the United States and was produced between the 2001 and 2003 model years. Unlike later Prius models, this first-gen model was a small sedan. Power was derived from a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing just 70 horsepower, and the electric motor added another 44 hp, but quick the original Prius was certainly not. From the start, though, it was extremely efficient, managing 42/41/41 city/highway/combined. Digital readouts for the speed and infotainment gave the interior a high-tech look back in the day, while build quality was typically Toyota solid. At just under $20k, the first Prius followed the Honda Insight as an economical hybrid for the masses. It didn't attempt to set new standards for style or performance, but its efficiency was unbeatable. The second-generation Prius was produced between the 2004 and 2009 model years. Improved in every aspect, it became a liftback design positioned between the Corolla and Camry. Under the skin, the XW20 introduced a new 1.5L four-pot and electric motor that produced 110 combined horsepower, paired with a CVT. Efficiency was up to 48/45/46 mpg, and it had an impressive range of 547 miles. Performance was better but still meek, with over 11 seconds required to get from zero to 60 mph. A spacious interior that looked futuristic for the period was another plus point for this Prius generation, which underwent a light facelift for the 2006 model year. Sales of the XW20 were much better than the first version, and it's this Prius that became a status symbol for the environmentally-conscious group - or, quite simply, those who wanted to appear environmentally-conscious. Produced between the 2010 and 2015 model years, the third-gen Prius continued with the liftback body style of its predecessor. It still looks quite odd, but the unique body did help give the car a low drag coefficient of just 0.25 Cd, which obviously came with efficiency benefits. A new 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine and electric motor duo combined for 134 hp, while a CVT and front-wheel drive were still standard. Efficiency once again dominated, with the 2010 Prius capable of returning 51/48/50 mpg, and its range was now almost 600 miles. Toyota also sold the smaller, reliable Prius C hatchback from the 2012 model year, which could manage 53/46/50 mpg. For the 2012 model year, a plug-in hybrid version of the Prius was introduced. This one could hit 95 MPGe/50 mpg combined, but the all-electric range was only 11 miles. And, whereas today's plug-ins are almost always more powerful than normal hybrids, the original Prius PHEV still made just 134 hp. Inside, Toyota freed up more cargo space, materials used were nicer, and advanced options like radar cruise control and a solar roof became available. Related: These 10 Hybrids Hold Their Value Better Than All Other Models On sale between the 2016 and 2022 model years, the fourth-gen Prius saw further advances to the car's battery and electric motor technologies, all aimed at setting new standards for efficiency. The standard model's 1.8L four-pot and electric motor combine for 121 hp, which is actually less than the outgoing model, so it still needs well over 10 seconds to reach 60. Power went to the front wheels via a CVT as usual, but the XW50 eventually introduced the first AWD Prius in late 2018, with an electric motor powering the rear wheels but still failing to turn the Toyota into an exciting performer in any way. In Eco guise, this Prius managed 58/53/56 mpg, while the AWD variant got up to 50 mpg combined. The updated Prius Prime plug-in hybrid really began to distance itself from the normal Prius with this generation, as its all-electric range was now up to 25 miles. Efficiency was up to 133 MPGe/54 mpg combined. For 2019, Toyota introduced a facelifted model that toned down the original XW50's gawky styling. As we'll see in our next entry, this was the last of the Toyota Prius generations with awkward styling. After four generations of highly efficient but slow and oddly-styled Prius models, Toyota changed everything when the all-new, current iteration arrived for the 2023 model year. Although still a hatchback, the current Prius is considered one of the best makeovers in modern car design history. It's still a hatchback, but there's a cohesion and Lexus-like premium aura to the new look that no previous Prius came close to. Inside, it's still a high-tech affair with dual screens and the latest infotainment, but rearward visibility is still not great, and the sleeker roofline eats into headroom somewhat. The powertrain is a revelation compared to the older Prius. A new 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and electric motor combination makes 194 hp in FWD models and 196 hp in AWD versions. Despite being so much more powerful, efficiency is still exemplary at up to 57/56/57 mpg. The new Prius plug-in hybrid is properly quick, courtesy of a new 220-hp powertrain. It can also go up to 45 miles on electric power alone, while efficiency is 127 MPGe/52 mpg combined. In fifth-gen form, the Prius is a perfect representation of how far hybrids have come. They no longer appeal to a niche audience or require futuristic styling to let everyone know what it is you're driving. Rather, hybrids are now considered as commonplace as any other gas car, just with superior efficiency. And the Prius is finally a car you won't buy for its efficiency alone. Related: 2024 Toyota Prius Review: Save gas, look good, have fun Being a Toyota, any Prius has the potential to last for many years. However, the fourth-gen model has good ratings and fewer recalls than earlier Prius models. The fourth-gen Prius was manufactured between the 2016 and 2022 model years. The 2010 Toyota Prius from the third generation looks like a troublesome one, as it has the most issues on Car Complaints. Excessive oil consumption was the leading problem faced by owners of this particular model. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
This Ford model is the most popular used vehicle in Tennessee, according to study. See why
Buying a brand-new car isn't for everyone. Millions of Americans take advantage of depreciation to find used car, truck, and SUV deals. Buying a used car is a great way to get some of the best-selling vehicles on the market at a heavily discounted rate. The best-selling vehicle in Tennessee is the Nissan Rogue, but it isn't the best-selling used vehicle. That title belongs to one of the Blue Oval's popular full-size pickup truck models. What is the most popular used vehicle in Tennessee? The most popular used vehicle in the state of Tennessee is the Ford F-150 full-size pickup truck, according to a study by automotive research site Ford began producing the F-150 nameplate as a heavy-duty model for the F-100 pickup truck series. Today, the Ford F-150 has become one of the best-selling work trucks ever due to its affordability and utility. The study by concluded that the F-150 was the best-selling used vehicle in 33 states including North and South Carolina, Kentucky, Georgia, Alabama and other states near Tennessee. America loves the Ford F-150 both as a new and used model. So, is Ford's full-size pickup really a good truck or are folks only buying it because it's popular? Should you get a used Ford F-150? Ford's F-150 has been "long regarded for its rugged design, strong engines, and top-line trims", said automotive site The Blue Oval offers several engine options and trims designed for towing, off-roading, and more. The F-150 is a great used pickup truck because it is built for the long haul. It's generally reliable and has the capabilities of a trusty work truck in terms of payload capacity and even towing capacity. Additionally, there are plenty of F-150 trims to choose from based on your needs and aftermarket accessories to customize the popular pickup. Which used Ford F-150 should you consider in Tennessee? J.D. Power gave the 2022 Ford F-150 an 86% score for quality and reliability. U.S. News & World Report rated the 2022 F-150 as the best full-size pickup truck. The 2022 Ford F-150 had a starting MSRP of $33,315 for the base model. CarMax has several F-150 models for sales with prices under $31,000. These models have relatively low mileage making them solid used vehicle deals. Older F-150 model years have depreciated even more, making them appealing to used car buyers. The 2020 Ford F-150 had an original MSRP of $28,745. It now has a fair purchase price of just $17,947 and a typical listing price of $18,947 (with 79K miles or less), according to Kelley Blue Book. The 2020 Ford F-150 uses a 3.3-liter V6 engine to produce 290 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque. It achieves 19 miles per gallon in the city and 25 miles per gallon on the highway. The 2020 F-150's high towing and payload capacity are "ideal for work or play" according to a vehicle review by Edmunds. Used car buyers can find older F-150 models that have depreciated by 30% or more, making the full-size pickups much more affordable than brand-new models. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: What's the most popular used vehicle in TN? Look to the Blue Oval Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
