Mr. Thomas has 6 years of automotive instrumentation experience, and specializes in on-board vehicle instrumentation for accident reconstruction, the instrumentation and recording of data from anthropomorphic test dummies (ATDs), and one-of-a-kind specialty testing of various types. He conducts vehicle and component level testing utilizing a wide range of instrumentation and data acquisition systems.
Mr. Thomas’ work also includes developing and fabricating bench and on-vehicle tests of automotive components and systems. He has instrumented and recorded data for test projects including driver gear-shifting behaviors and errors, full-scale vehicle crash and sled testing, motorcycle testing, component testing, and specialized biomechanical studies such as helmet impact testing.
Prior to joining Exponent, Mr. Thomas worked in the military, general, and commercial aviation field. He was an avionics mechanic responsible for aircraft certifications, in-flight troubleshooting, and bench top repair of components. He has also done fiber optic WAN design, prototype testing, and test procedure preparation and execution.
Scher I, Harley E, Richards D, Thomas R. Likelihood of brain injury in motorcycle accidents: A comparison of novelty and DOT-approved helmets. SAE Paper 2009-01-0248, Society of Automotive Engineers, Inc., Warrendale, PA, 2009.
Scher I, Richards D, Carhart M, Thomas R, Hurlen N, Lam T. Pediatric head and neck injuries in snow sports: Evaluating the influence of helmets. Journal of ASTM International 2008; 5(4), (Paper ID JAI101400).
Published Abstracts and Conference Presentations
Richards D, Ivarsson J, Scher I, Thomas R. Modern hockey equipment and its relationship to head injuries. Abstract presented at the Biennial Meeting of the International Symposium on Safety in Ice Hockey, Denver, CO, May 2008.
Scher I, Richards D, Carhart M, Thomas R, Lam T. Pediatric head and neck injuries: Evaluating the influence of helmets. Abstract presented at the Biennial Meeting of the International Symposium on Skiing Trauma and Safety, Aviemore, Scotland, May 2007.
Invited Lectures
Kuzel M, Thomas R. Collecting physical evidence to prepare a complete and accurate case. Presented at the 2007 Grand Canyon Super Conference of the Arizona Association of Licensed Private Investigators, October 21, 2007.
Kuzel M, Thomas R. Collecting physical evidence to prepare a complete and accurate case. Presented at the National Association of Legal Investigators Mid-Winter Meeting, January 21, 2006.