Ed. Your last para opens speculation that the end result might have been
intentional.
Sent from my iPhone
On Feb 17, 2010, at 12:08 PM, "Price, Edward" <ed.pr...@cubic.com> wrote:
I’m a little uncomfortable with the tone of Keith’s article at:
<http://www.nutwooduk.co.uk/downloads/Toyota.doc>
http://www.nutwooduk.co.uk/downloads/Toyota.doc
True, he’s expounding on life-and-death reliability, but I get a
feeling that he is getting a bit alarmist. I also find it interesting that the
USA NHTSB is seeking out a UK engineer, and that they have a “non-disclosure”
agreement covering their interactions. That’s not the kind of government that I
want to pay for! Nonetheless, his article is worth reading just to remind us
how difficult it is to achieve the electronic reliability that we have come to
expect of mechanical systems.
I can’t comment on Toyotas in general (my last Toyota was a 1983 Celica
that I owned from 1983 to 2008, so it was mostly mechanical), and my ride is
now a German car. However, I have been following the Mark Saylor incident
rather closely, since it happened on a stretch of road that I drive quite often.
The Saylor vehicle was Northbound on CA 125, a typical multi-lane
restricted access California freeway, unusual only in that its traffic density
is usually much lighter than other freeways. The incident began with the Saylor
vehicle at a road altitude of about 800 feet. As the emergency call was being
placed, the vehicle began descending into a broad valley. In slightly less than
2 miles, the vehicle descended 500 feet; about a 5% grade. This steep descent
would have considerably aided the acceleration of runaway engine.
Just before the crash site, Mr. Saylor was presented with a lane
choice; the two right lanes sweep upward and go left over the two left lanes,
actually continuing the freeway onto CA 52 West. Inexplicably, the driver chose
the straight path (festooned with huge “freeway ends” signs and lighted
warnings), essentially a short exit ramp to a busy “T” intersection.
Had the driver chosen the continuation of the freeway, he would have
had several miles of uphill travel, with mostly flat, open shoulders. He could
have even laid the vehicle up against the long curving right guardrail,
grinding his vehicle to a halt. However, by choosing the exit ramp, the driver
made the worst possible choice; no time, entry into a busy & blind
intersection, and then entry into a partial construction zone / wooded marsh.
The impact into this area caused a fatal vehicle fire.
Locals find the experienced CHP officer’s lane choice impossible to
understand or explain; in the case of a runaway vehicle, it almost guaranteed a
quick and violent result.
Ed Price
ed.pr...@cubic.com <blocked::mailto:ed.pr...@cubic.com> WB6WSN
NARTE Certified EMC Engineer
Electromagnetic Compatibility Lab
Cubic Defense Applications
San Diego, CA USA
858-505-2780
Military & Avionics EMC Is Our Specialty
From: emc-p...@ieee.org [mailto:emc-p...@ieee.org] On Behalf Of Pettit,
Ghery
Sent: Wednesday, February 17, 2010 8:44 AM
To: Pettit, Ghery; Grasso, Charles; 'Andrew McCallum';
'EMC-PSTC@LISTSERV.IEEE.ORG'
Subject: RE: Toyota
Correction – Keith is the one potentially jumping to conclusions, not
John. Sorry for any confusion (certainly a moment of such on my part).
Ghery S. Pettit
From: Pettit, Ghery
Sent: Wednesday, February 17, 2010 8:27 AM
To: 'Grasso, Charles'; 'Andrew McCallum'; 'EMC-PSTC@LISTSERV.IEEE.ORG'
Subject: RE: Toyota
I recall having a car go WOT while driving when I was in high school.
Long (looooooong) before electronic throttle control. As in a 1963 Rambler.
The throttle return spring had broken when I stepped on the gas while
accelerating. Turning off the ignition was the simple immediate action.
Reconnected what was left of the spring and away we went. Fortunately, no bent
metal or hurt people. John is potentially jumping to conclusions.
Ghery S. Pettit
From: emc-p...@ieee.org [mailto:emc-p...@ieee.org] On Behalf Of Grasso,
Charles
Sent: Wednesday, February 17, 2010 7:28 AM
To: 'Andrew McCallum'; 'EMC-PSTC@LISTSERV.IEEE.ORG'
Subject: RE: Toyota
I agree with Johns comments. Looking at the title its my impression
that Keith is forcibly making the case
that EMI and/or manufacturing practices caused this crash. This is a
dangerous case to make considering
that there is no evidence of what caused the crash.
As John points out – one can get mechanical “latch-up” too.
Best Regards
Charles Grasso
________________________________
From: emc-p...@ieee.org [mailto:emc-p...@ieee.org] On Behalf Of Andrew
McCallum
Sent: Wednesday, February 17, 2010 1:48 AM
To: <mailto:EMC-PSTC@LISTSERV.IEEE.ORG> EMC-PSTC@LISTSERV.IEEE.ORG
Subject: Toyota
See link for Keith Armstrongs view:
http://www.nutwooduk.co.uk/downloads/Toyota.doc
quick link : Full article here...
<http://www.nutwooduk.co.uk/downloads/Toyota.doc>
Andrew McCallum
Senior EMC Engineer
DeltaRail Group Plc
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