An examination of sudden acceleration

Details

• Creators:
  Pollard, John K. ; Sussman, E. Donald
• Corporate Creators:
  John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (U.S.)
• Subject/TRT Terms:
  Acceleration (Mechanics) Brake Pedals Brakes Cruise Control Engine Controls Human Error Sudden Acceleration Human Factors Pedal Design Vehicle Design Vehicles Vehicle Tests

  More +
• Publication/ Report Number:
  DOT-HS-807-367;DOT-TSC-NHTSA-89-1
• Resource Type:
  Tech Report
• Corporate Publisher:
  United States. Department of Transportation. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• Abstract:
  This report describes the results of a study to identify and evaluate factors which could potentially cause or contribute to the occurrence of "Sudden Acceleration Incidents" (SAI). SAI are defined in this report as unintended, unexpected, high-power accelerations from a stationary position or a very low initial speed accompanied by an apparent loss of braking effectiveness. Ten vehicles with above-average SAI complaint rates were selected for particular scrutiny. In the course of conducting this study, the Transportation Systems Center: (1) convened a panel of independent experts in various disciplines related to SAI concerns to review this material with TSC; (2) collected the relevant literature and case documentation on the vehicles'; (3) studied the fuel-systems, braking systems, and driving controls of the vehicles; (4) performed appropriate tests and experiments or arranged for their
  
  conduct at NHTSA's Vehicle Research and Test Center (VRTC); and (5) documented the
  
  findings and conclusions, as noted below. (1) No malfunctions were found which could cause high engine power without opening the throttle. (2) Certain malfunctions were identified which could cause throttle opening or sticking, but these would be readily detectable in post-SAI investigation. (3) Other malfunctions were found that could cause modest increases in engine power, some of which would be difficult to detect in an investigation. These malfunctions could not directly cause an SAI but might startle the driver into a pedal misapplication (depression of the accelerator instead of, or in addition to, the brake pedal). (4) Vehicle pedal design features were identified which might increase the probability of a pedal misapplication. All the vehicles with high SAI-compliant rates which were measured were found to possess pedal designs conducive to pedal misapplication.
  
  
• Format:
  PDF
• Collection(s):
  Volpe Center
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:aa550b0525c3e1a34eca9b3e1a7ddd8f5b9bf4203a71508d43b95b0bdd2e4d46008e6906cb9c261345f58aedb826c7eb492e6c002e4274454d981d6c68503f33
• Download URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/8617/dot_8617_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 19.62 MB ]