Academic Credentials
  • M.S., Mechanical Engineering, Arizona State University, 1994
  • B.S., Aerospace Engineering, Arizona State University, 1992
Licenses & Certifications
  • Professional Engineer Mechanical, Arizona, #37367
Additional Education & Training
  • Crash Safety Research Center, Jeffrey W. Muttart, Human Factors for Traffic Crash Reconstruction, October 25-29, 2010.
  • T.E.A.M. Arizona Motorcyclist Training Centers, Basic Rider Course (Motorcycle Rider Skill Training Course), November 14-16, 2008.
  • Eos Systems Inc., PhotoModeler Collision Investigation, Phoenix, AZ, September 23-25, 2008.
  • Collision Safety Institute, Crash Data Retrieval Data Analyst Course, Phoenix, AZ, July 8-11, 2008.
  • Collision Safety Institute, Crash Data Retrieval Technician Course, Phoenix, AZ, July 7, 2008.
  • Exponent, Forklift Operator's Training per OSHA 1910.178, Phoenix, AZ, April 16, 2008.
  • Society of Automotive Engineers, Vehicle Accident Reconstruction Methods Seminar, Detroit, MI, April 3-4, 2006.
  • Engineering Dynamics Corporation, HVE Forum, San Francisco, CA, May 3-7, 2004.
  • Northwestern University Traffic Institute, Traffic Accident Reconstruction I, Chicago, IL, October 20-31, 2003.
  • National Instruments, LabVIEW Hands-On Seminar, Phoenix, AZ, March 27, 2003.
  • General Motors Service Technology Group, Supplemental Inflatable Restraint Systems, Phoenix, AZ, January 24, 1997.
Professional Honors
  • Sigma Gamma Tau
  • Allied Signal Fellowship recipient
Professional Affiliations
  • Society of Automotive Engineers (member)
  • National Society of Professional Engineers (member)
  • National Association of Professional Accident Reconstruction Specialists (member)
  • The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (member)

As a Professional Mechanical Engineer, Mr. Smith specializes in the failure analysis of mechanical systems, including industrial equipment, shop tools, and vehicle systems, as well as the investigation and analysis of vehicle accidents. He has over 20 years of experience in automotive testing and mechanical system failure evaluations. 

Mr. Smith provides strategic guidance on the design and execution of full-scale vehicle crash and sled tests, quasi-static strength tests, and handling and stability demonstrations.  He has conducted hundreds of experiments and has developed extensive knowledge and experience with various test methods and fixtures, instrumentation, and data acquisition techniques.

Mr. Smith is experienced with the investigation and analysis of motor vehicle accidents involving passenger automobiles, motorcycles, heavy trucks, forklifts, industrial vehicles, off road vehicles, and pedestrians. His research and publications include full-scale crash tests involving motorcycles, tractor-trailers, and passenger cars, full-scale rollover tests of sport utility vehicles and light trucks, full scale sled tests involving motorcycles and passenger cars, occupant kinematics and injury in motorcycle and automobile collisions, and the application of computer simulations to automotive collisions. His expertise includes the analysis of recorded sensor data stored in airbag control modules as well as the evaluation of human factors in vehicular accidents. Mr. Smith utilizes a variety of computer software and simulation tools in his failure and accident investigations.