Headquarters photo
By Nicole Mowers
Headquarters public information officer
Behind every crash test dummy is a specialized team of engineers breaking down every moment of potential impact on California roadways.
“It’s nothing like the action-packed crashes in the movies,” said John Jewell, chief of Caltrans’ crash test operation, who has spent more than 30 years analyzing what happens before, during and after high-speed collisions.
The goal is to understand every second of what’s happening — from motion to impact.
Crash tests are conducted by the Roadside Safety Research Group, a team of about a dozen experts. Each member plays a role in preparing a vehicle for testing. The team uses robotic arms to install instrumentation, measure precise locations and mount GoPro cameras, all to capture data from every phase of a crash.
Once a vehicle is selected for testing, it takes two to three weeks to prepare. Measurements must meet exact crash test specifications. If they don’t, the team must justify every measurement — even something as small as a wheel being half an inch out of place.
It may not seem like a big deal but if the department wants to compare apples to apples with other facilities, Caltrans has to ensure consistency.
One reaction Jewell said he hears repeatedly from visitors watching a live crash for the first time: “I wasn’t expecting it to be soo LOUD.”
“A lot of people just aren’t prepared, even if they think they are,” he said. “When they see it and try to record it, it surprises them, just to see that much energy unleashed.”
Jewell vividly remembers his first crash test.
“It was awesome,” he said. “It took a while for my adrenaline to go down.”
Safety is the priority during tests — both for drivers and for others on the road. The team monitors how vehicles strike barriers. A passing result could mean a box truck hits a guardrail, flips on its side and slides to a stop — without breaching the barrier or entering oncoming traffic.
Jewell knew while still in high school that he wanted to work in crash testing. He was watching the news with his dad when a story aired about Caltrans developing a new barrier system.
Years later, Jewell landed his first job out of college with Caltrans — and met the crash testing expert who had appeared in that very news story.
“It was a full-circle moment,” he said. “I got to meet and work with my real-life hero.”
Jewell has since received several Caltrans honors, including the Karl Moskowitz Award, which recognizes excellence in transportation engineering. He said being nominated alongside colleagues he admires is humbling.
All the work that goes into each crash test leaves a lasting impact.
The next time someone’s driving down the highway, they may not realize it, but the road is a lot safer because of the work Caltrans does.