Transportation Technology and
Forensic Sciences

Provides expertise for tire failure analysis and forensic examination on all types and sizes of tires, wheels and related components.

Each of our experts has been actively involved in the tire industry for over thirty years. Their tire engineering expertise includes failure analysis, tire design and product testing.

Tire Experts

Our staff experts each have over thirty years experience in the tire industry as engineers with responsibilities in: failure analysis; forensic analysis; green tire design; compounding; traction; tire development; testing; manufacturing processes and quality; uniformity; development of nondestructive test procedures and field performance.

Each engineer has worked for a major tire manufacture in more than one of the areas listed above and most have held management positions. Their experience has included both bias and radial tires for passenger, light truck, medium and heavy duty truck, motorcycle, industrial, military and aircraft tires.

Failure Analysis

Our Trans Tech engineers have aquired the experience, skill and specialized training necessary to provide this service. This skill requires years of tire industry background with an emphasis on reviewing and critiquing tires that have failed under a variety of controlled conditions as well as real world environments and circumstances. Our staff is knowledgeable in the numerous aspects of tire maintenance, installation, application, repair and service. This also requires expertise in the use and operation of tools and equipment associated with these tasks.

This knowledge and experience is further enhanced by years of research and study into specific tire conditions and failure modes. As an extension of this research, our engineers have the ability to design test protocol to replicate various failure modes and conditions that occur in real life situations.

A certified ASE Master Automobile Technician is on staff to perform vehicle component and complete vehicle inspections. The information gained provides additional factors that assist in determining the cause of a particular vehicle incident.

Forensic Investigation

The engineering and technical staff of Trans Tech has extensive experience in this field. They have been trained to be thorough in their examinations of tires/wheels and related products, and have the ability to recognize failure modes and the signature conditions associated with them. This ability is developed over many years of experience in testing and research in this very specialized field.

Our staff is keenly aware of the need to preserve evidence and carefully document the conditions observed during the investigation and examination process. Our investigative and examination techniques are totally non-destructive and do not alter the evidences in any way. Trans Tech is equipped with its own photographic studio and laboratory which is capable of not only capturing and processing conventional photographs, but also has developed specialized techniques and methods for the production of unique visual presentations that can be used as exhibits and to assist the expert witness in explaining observations and conclusions made during the investigation process.

Objectivity is imperative in order to serve our customers fairly and to preserve our integrity. In addition, we know that confidentiality is of the utmost importance, especially when the issues involved are being litigated. Any information provided by our clients as well as any work done on their behalf is held in the strictest confidence.

Vehicle Handling

Trans Tech's engineers and technicians are able to evaluate the handling characteristics of a wide variety of vehicles under various driving conditions and situations and has been doing so for over twenty five years.

Some typical studies conducted have been the evaluation of under or over steer for a particular vehicle; wet handling; controllability in the event of a tire blow-out, tread/belt detachment or combination of both.

Documentation

Trans Tech is capable of instrumenting vehicles to measure and document a number of events and forces which affect vehicle handling and controllability, including G forces, magnitude and effort of steering input applied to maintain vehicle control. These parameters are recorded in real time for subsequent analysis and processing.

In addition to instrumentation capabilities, Transtech has in house video and photographic professionals who routinely document these studies with video and still cameras, from numerous vantage points.

Court Demonstratives

Each case has its own set of parameters in terms of how it is presented to the court. A key aspect of this presentation is typically the various exhibits that will be used. They can range from simple document and photographic enlargements, to full size mock-ups of evidence, replicate examples, video presentations, or even live demonstrations in the court room.

Whatever the particular requirements dictate, Trans Tech is capable of providing high quality exhibits and demonstratives to fulfill those requirements. Our in-house photographic studio can produce mounted photo enlargements, diagrams of manufacturing processes, schematics and video documentation of any special studies or demonstrations that may have been requested. We have also developed some unique techniques with 360° tread photos used in conjunction with 360° X-rays to match external injuries to internal component damage.

A variety of physical and mechanical exhibits are commonly provided. These include tire and wheel cross-sections, tire cut-backs (used to explain tire construction), steering torque apparatus, study tires with replicate injuries or failure modes, manufacturing processes, vehicle components and models.

Video documentation can be provided of special studies and has proven to be a very effective tool in the courtroom, particularly in jury trials.

Typical Clients

Auto Dealerships	Law Firms
Auto Manufactures	Mining, Drilling, Heavy Construction
Car Rental Agencies	Public Transportation
Individuals	Tire Dealers
Insurance Providers	Tire Manufacturers
Law Enforcement Agencies	Trucking Companies