Pedal Error and Misperceived Centerline in Eight Different Automobiles

Abstract

The hypothesis that misperception of an automobile's centerline is related to pedal error was tested in eight late-model automobiles. Pedal error is described as hitting the accelerator pedal when instructed to depress the brake pedal. One hundred twenty-nine subjects participated in an experiment in which pedal errors and perceived centerline were measured in all eight automobiles. The results indicate that subjects misperceive the centerline of the automobile to be to the right of the actual centerline. Although 26 pedal errors were recorded, no relationship between pedal errors and misperceived centerline was found.

The Role of Pedal Configuration in Unintended-Acceleration and Pedal-Error Accidents

“…In one study, Rogers and Wierwille (1988) examined various pedal configurations in a fixed-base driving simulator, and found no evidence that pedal errors were related to the configuration of the pedals. Also, Vernoy and Tomerlin (1989) studied subjects in stationary vehicles of various designs (and hence, with various pedal configurations), and also found no relationship between the pedal design and pedal misapplications. Reinhart (1994) discussed several studies by NHTSA that also failed to find a relationship between pedal design and unintended acceleration.…”

Understanding the Automotive Pedal Usage and Foot Movement Characteristics of Older Drivers

“…The report also shows that some driving tasks are associated with higher risk of the PAE, such as parking, executing an emergency stop, and reaching out of the vehicle. Other research has also focused on the PAE and its causes (Cantin et al, 2004;Schmidt,1989;Vernoy & Tomerlin, 1989). However, the pedal usage characteristics of older drivers in various driving tasks, performed in an on-road, realistic environment, is unknown.…”

“…However, in stressful cases like unintended acceleration, the driver's habitual response of braking hard leads to mistaken application of the accelerator pedal (Schmidt, 1989). Vernoy and Tomerlin (1989) hypothesized that PAEs occur because drivers misperceive the vehicle centerline. They had participants sit in stationary, experimental vehicles and respond to a series of verbal or visual commands by depressing either the brake or the accelerator pedal.…”

“…As to the brake pedal shape, a wide brake pedal that is symmetric around the center of the seat is recommended to accommodate the foot placement that is more variable (Schmidt, 1989) and potentially further to the left, which is possible when performing emergency braking, trying to disengage the cruise control or when the drivers are misaligned with the vehicle center (Vernoy and Tomerlin, 1989).…”

“…Foot placement coding byVernoy and Tomerlin (1989) In the practice trial, the average foot placement was to the right of the pedal centerline in all eight experimental vehicles. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed that the foot placements in all vehicles were significantly different from each other.…”