NHTSA Crash Investigation Sampling System Event Data Recorder Data Element Benchmarking Study

February 20th, 2026

An event data recorder (EDR) is defined in 49 CFR Part 563 to mean a device or function in a vehicle that records the vehicle’s dynamic time-series data during the time period just prior to a crash event (e.g., vehicle speed vs. time) or during a crash event (e.g., delta-V vs. time), intended for retrieval after the crash event. This data can be downloaded to help crash reconstruction or vehicle safety research. NHTSA established EDR requirements in 49 CFR Part 563 in 2012. Since the promulgation of the requirements, crash avoidance and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) technologies have expanded in market penetration. Some vehicle original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are recording status and activation of these technologies during the time period prior to the crash event in their EDRs. This study observes which data elements are recorded beyond what is required by Part 563 since it went into effect.