RESEARCH PROJECT EXAMPLES

Research Project Examples

Miller Engineering is committed to scientifically advancing the state of the art and to sponsoring and creating scholarly publications. These categories below are examples of current or completed research projects. They represent the types of projects we have the expertise in to do additional work. For a listing of the written articles which have evolved from this research see Publications by Miller Engineering Staff.

(click on topic to see detailed examples)
Accident Reconstruction, Simulation and Analysis
Vehicles (Highway, Off-Road, RV's & ATV's) & Highway Design
Water Recreational Products; boats, personal watercraft, swimming pools
Consumer & Home (CPSC) Products; appliances, alarms, power tools, lawn equipment
Machine Safety; Material Handling Equipment Safety
Service, Repair & Maintenance Procedures & Accidents
Climbing Systems; Slip and Fall Prevention
Product Recall & After Market Warnings/Labels
New Product warnings, labels, operator manuals, instructions, packaging
Federal-State-OSHA-MSDS & Consensual Safety Standards Interpretation & Compliance
Visibility,Visual Behavior & Human Factors Analysis of Vehicle Operation
Alcohol, Fatigue and Stressor Effects on Performance
Computerized Human Factors & Safety Analysis Systems
Forensic Engineering and Expert Witness Services


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Accident Reconstruction, Simulation and Analysis

expected behavior and responsibilities of power boat drivers
water skiing injury analysis
effects of warnings and swimming pool design on swimming accidents
collisions and injuries involving powered personal watercraft: i.e., jet skis, wave runners
"sled tests" to simulate passenger movement during boat crashes
dynamic tests of boat seat integrity

in plant implementation of manufacturing product assurance programs
design of consistent labeling and warning systems for multi-product companies
design of product assurance programs to meet requirements of specific product
design and implement after-market programs involving: product recall; providing supplementary product information; and personal follow-up with purchasers
compliance with state Product Liability Tort Statutes

methods of modifying behavior patterns during product usage
research on warnings and instructions and their effectiveness
evaluation and testing of product warnings/instructions
user surveys to determine actual product knowledge
design, development and printing of text and illustrations for on package types of information; product accompanying information (instructions for use, assembly procedures, and operator manuals); product affixed information (labels and warnings); and product attached information (tags)
computer assisted label design programs (to assure compliance with mandated and research standards)
material safety data sheet (MSDS) systems for multi-product companies

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Federal/State/OSHA & Consensual Safety Standards Interpretation and Compliance

history of particular Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) standards
applicability and interpretation of U.S. Coast Guard Safety Regulations relative to recreational boat design and operation, merchant marine, and off-shore oil operations
design implications of Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) standards
history of particular American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards
applicability and interpretation of American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC)recommended practices relative to recreational boat design and operation
significance of Underwriters Laboratory (UL) testing to particular product
compliance analysis of industrial workplaces/equipment relative to Federal and State OSHA standards
consultations regarding compliance, promulgation or enforcement type hearings involving
machine and process safety of prototype plastic injection molding plant
design of material safety data sheet systems for multi product consistency

visibility of pedestrians and fixed objects to vehicle drivers
eye fixation and eye movement patterns characterizing the visual behavior of auto, aircraft and boat operators
night conspicuity of fixed and moving targets
conspicuity of vehicles to pedestrians and to other vehicle operators
rearward mirror fields of view and operator usage in construction equipment

product analysis and generic hazard analysis using computerized expert systems
access to product design standards and safety standards through computerized data bases
use of computerized safety ergonomics design guidelines

graphical presentations to facilitate jury understanding of accident sequence, normal product usage and similar product comparisons
accident reconstruction results portrayed through mock-ups, illustrations, and computer graphics
research into statistical data bases relevant to a specific product's usage patterns and accidents
engineering legal strategies regarding product liability, workers compensation accidents, third party liability, and the use of expert witnesses