G8-3　Relationship between Accelerator/Brake Position and Pedal Misapplication

抄録

This study introduces results of the evaluation for the relationship between pedal separation and the driver's performance regarding pedal misapplication in a laboratory setting. A serious accident caused by pedal misapplication is very characteristic, gaining social attention. It has been reported that inadequate placement for the combination of accelerator and brake pedals in the automobile as well as the factor of drivers’ height, may be the potential factors for the cause of accidents. We examined the optimum pedal separation by evaluating error rates using an experimental protocol where pedal misapplication was provoked in a laboratory setting. A total of six participant performed the suppression task paradigm with five different levels of pedal separation. As a result, except in the case of pedal separation of 150 mm, participants with a height of 168 cm or more tended to increase the error rates as the pedal separation increased. All in all, the results implied that there was a certain pedal separation which had an effect on the pedal misapplication errors.