| Title | An examination of sudden acceleration |
|---|---|
| Record ID | 33403 |
| Personal Name Creator |
Pollard, John K.; Sussman, E. Donald |
| Source | 458p. in various pagings |
| Corporate Creator | John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (U.S.) |
| Publisher | United States. Department of Transportation. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration |
| Publication Date | 19890100 |
| Language | English |
| 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. |
| Rosap ID | dot:8617 |
| Rosap URL | https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/8617 |
| TRT Terms | Mechanical acceleration; Vehicle design; Cruise control; Brakes; Brake pedals; Vehicle tests; Human error |
| General Subjects | Sudden Acceleration; Vehicles; Pedal Design; Engine Controls; Cruise Control; Brakes; Human Factors |
| Classification | NTL - SAFETY AND SECURITY - SAFETY AND SECURITY; NTL - SAFETY AND SECURITY - Human Factors; NTL - SAFETY AND SECURITY - Vehicle Design |
| Geographical Coverage |
United States |
| TRIS Online Accession No |
481067 |
| Report Number | DOT-HS-807-367; DOT-TSC-NHTSA-89-1 |
| Availability | Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, Technical Reference Center |
| Resource type | Tech Report |
| URL | https://ntlrepository.blob.core.windows.net/lib/33000/33400/33403/33403.pdf |
| Alternative URL | http://www.autosafety.org/nhtsa-study-examination-sudden-acceleration-jan-1989 |
| Format | |
| Database | NTL Digital Repository |