S.Korea's National Forensic Service
Unlike NHTSA, the Koreans have delved into the causes of SUA.
EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF REAPPEARANCE FOR SUDDEN ACCELERATION INCIDENTS
Presenter: Sungji Park
Forensic Engineering, National Forensic Service, Seoul, Korea (South)
SESSIONS
Oral Presentation 05
10/15/2014 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
(excerpts):
The input voltage of ECU (Electronic Control Unit) was fluctuated from 7V to 14V periodically and the all of the engine data like throttle valve position, acceleration position, engine RPM, brake pressure and maximum torque of wheel were recorded.
As results of this study, we found that the periodical low voltage could make the throttle valve fully open and the car would reach the maximum performance condition. So, the unintended acceleration could happen without pressing acceleration pedal.
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American physicist Dr. Ronald L. Belt has advanced a similar theory about a cause of SUA. He continues to refine his understanding and to publish papers about it.
Simulation of Sudden Acceleration
in a Torque-Based Electronic Throttle Controller
by Ronald A. Belt
Plymouth, MN 55447
30 January 2015
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(excerpts):
(from page 9 of 25):
IV. Experimental Evidence for Sudden Acceleration
Caused by Low Battery Voltage
Experimental evidence that supports the author’s theory of sudden acceleration has been obtained recently by a research team at the National Forensic Service in Seoul, Korea. This organization is the Korean government’s official automobile accident investigation team in Korea, and it has been looking into the cause of the epidemic of sudden acceleration incidents in Korea for the last several years. Their results show that the electronically operated throttle valve in a late model car with electronic throttle can be made to open to the maximum opening position by voltage fluctuations of 14 to 7 volts on the battery supply line without pressing on the accelerator pedal. Their results were described in an oral presentation given at the World Forensic Festival 2014 meeting in Seoul, Korea on October 12-18, 2014. An abstract of their presentation appears in the published abstract book for the meeting.
7 This abstract is reproduced in its entirety in Figure 5 below. A paper describing their complete findings has been submitted to an international journal and will be published soon after going through the peer review process.
Figure 5. Abstract of an oral presentation at the World Forensic Festival 2014 meeting in Seoul, Korea on October 12-18, 2014
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Dr. Ronald A. Belt’s Sudden Acceleration Papers
Dr. Ronald A. Belt: Why I Publish Here
Dr. Ronald A. Belt: Comparison of Two Electronic Theories of Sudden Acceleration - 9/30/14
Further Details on an Electronic Mechanism for Sudden Unintended Acceleration - 2014
A More Detailed Electronic Mechanism for Sudden Unintended Acceleration - 2013
Sudden Acceleration Without an Accelerator Input
An Electronic Cause for Sudden Unintended Acceleration
A Detailed Electronic Mechanism for Sudden Unintended Acceleration
A Layman’s Account of Dr. Belt’s Theory
Who is Dr. Belt?
http://www.autosafety.org/dr-
Further Details on an Electronic Mechanism for Sudden Unintended Acceleration - 2014
A More Detailed Electronic Mechanism for Sudden Unintended Acceleration - 2013
Sudden Acceleration Without an Accelerator Input
An Electronic Cause for Sudden Unintended Acceleration
A Detailed Electronic Mechanism for Sudden Unintended Acceleration
A Layman’s Account of Dr. Belt’s Theory
Who is Dr. Belt?
http://www.autosafety.org/dr-
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[Submitted SUA complaint of a manual transmission equipped vehicle.]
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Oct 10, 2013 - Fairfax, VA - Vehicle Speed Control
MY TOYOTA COROLLA 2010 CAR HAS MANUAL TRANSMISSION. WHEN I DROVE AT ABOUT 35MPH ON CITY STREET AND HIT BRAKE PEDAL, ENGINE SUDDENLY ROARED TO 8000RPM. I DEPRESSED THE CLUTCH FULLY, TURNED OFF ENGINE, HIT HARD THE BRAKE PEDAL,TURNED LEFT TO MEDIAN; THE CAR HIT HARD THE MEDIAN CURB AND STOPPED PARTLY IN LEFT LANE. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS ON PEDALS AND TURNED ON ENGINE, IT STILL ROARED IN THE FIRST SEVERAL TRIES. THE CAR EVENTUALLY WORKED NORMALLY AFTER 10 MINUTES AND NO INJURY HAPPENED. I NEVER LET THE ENGINE RUN OVER 5000RPM EVEN WHEN I TESTED THE CAR AND ENGINE; MY MAXIMAL RUNNING RPM IS ABOUT 3000. THIS 8000RPM SHOULD NOT BE FROM MY OPERATION. I WAS NOT CONVINCED ON 'STICK PEDAL" OR "FLOOR MAT" CAUSE FOR THIS CASE. THE SEQUENCE "TURNED OFF ENGINE, BRAKED" MIGHT BE GOOD TO "BRAKED TO STOP AND TURNED OFF ENGINE" BECAUSE IT IS TOO HARD TO BRAKE WITH ENGINE OFF. BUT, WHEN YOU HEAR THE SCARY 8000RPM ROARING ENGINE, THE FIRST REACTION IS TURN IT OFF. I HAVE SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH DEALER.
MY TOYOTA COROLLA 2010 CAR HAS MANUAL TRANSMISSION. WHEN I DROVE AT ABOUT 35MPH ON CITY STREET AND HIT BRAKE PEDAL, ENGINE SUDDENLY ROARED TO 8000RPM. I DEPRESSED THE CLUTCH FULLY, TURNED OFF ENGINE, HIT HARD THE BRAKE PEDAL,TURNED LEFT TO MEDIAN; THE CAR HIT HARD THE MEDIAN CURB AND STOPPED PARTLY IN LEFT LANE. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS ON PEDALS AND TURNED ON ENGINE, IT STILL ROARED IN THE FIRST SEVERAL TRIES. THE CAR EVENTUALLY WORKED NORMALLY AFTER 10 MINUTES AND NO INJURY HAPPENED. I NEVER LET THE ENGINE RUN OVER 5000RPM EVEN WHEN I TESTED THE CAR AND ENGINE; MY MAXIMAL RUNNING RPM IS ABOUT 3000. THIS 8000RPM SHOULD NOT BE FROM MY OPERATION. I WAS NOT CONVINCED ON 'STICK PEDAL" OR "FLOOR MAT" CAUSE FOR THIS CASE. THE SEQUENCE "TURNED OFF ENGINE, BRAKED" MIGHT BE GOOD TO "BRAKED TO STOP AND TURNED OFF ENGINE" BECAUSE IT IS TOO HARD TO BRAKE WITH ENGINE OFF. BUT, WHEN YOU HEAR THE SCARY 8000RPM ROARING ENGINE, THE FIRST REACTION IS TURN IT OFF. I HAVE SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH DEALER.