Free Webinar - Modern Techniques For Generating Low-Cost 3D Data - Patrick Ryan

The Institute will be presenting the next webinar for the membership [and guests] on Wednesday 11th November 2026 at 15:00 BST. [please ignore any error in the automated emails where the time might be shown as being in a different zone] 

Patrick Ryan, P.Eng.

will be discussing 

‘Modern Techniques For Generating Low-Cost 3D Data’

Collision simulation and visualization are enhanced when accurate geometry is available for the collision scene and involved vehicles. Laser-based scanning of collision sites and other objects of interest has become more cost-effective in recent years, but dedicated professional-grade scanners remain relatively expensive, particularly for small operations or infrequent use.

Alternative methods exist that can be used to generate high-quality three-dimensional data to capture and represent vehicle damage profiles, collision scene evidence, and site topography. These approaches can be used to generate point cloud (e.g. “.E57”) or textured mesh (e.g. “.OBJ”) geometry for use in common collision simulation software. The time required to generate these high-quality data is comparable to that required to do more basic documentation, even with modern single-operator robotic or GNSS-based survey equipment. Additionally, these techniques can be applied to functional roadways without exposing the operator to risk of interaction with traffic.

Methodologies will be presented for handheld, rod-mounted, and drone-based data gathering, processed using Recon 3D, RealityScan, and CloudCompare.

---------------------------

While completing his Mechanical Engineering degree at Memorial University in 1994, Patrick worked for the Road Safety Directorate of Transport Canada in Ottawa. During his time at Transport Canada, Patrick co-authored a paper on air bag deployment for presentation at the 1993 annual CATAIR seminar. Following graduation, he worked briefly for an accident reconstruction firm in Ontario, before moving west to continue working in the field. Patrick has been involved with over 5000 motor vehicle accident investigations since 1994, and he has also staged many crash tests. Patrick has been accepted as an expert witness at both the King’s Bench / Queen’s Bench and Provincial court levels in Alberta, as well as at comparable courts in other jurisdictions. Patrick specializes in large losses, with particular interest in occupant restraints (including air bags), crash data recovery, and collision simulation. Patrick is a member of the Canadian Association of Technical Accident Investigators and Reconstructionists (CATAIR), the Canadian Association of Road Safety Professionals (CARSP), the European Association for Accident Research and Analysis (EVU), the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), the Accident Reconstruction Network (ARC), and the National Association of Professional Accident Reconstruction Specialists (NAPARS).