NASA and the National Academy of Sciences will be conducting studies into the problem of unintended acceleration which lead to the massive recall of Toyota vehicles earlier this year. Regulators have linked 52 deaths to accelerator problems in Toyota vehicles. The two studies are estimated to have a price tag of about three million dollars and could take over a year to complete. Both studies will be peer reviewed by scientific experts.

NASA’s electronics scientists will be working with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in a study of electronic interference. NASA’s knowledge of electronics, computer hardware and software and hazard analysis will be an asset in giving a comprehensive review into the problem.

In a separate study, the National Academy of Sciences will be studying unwanted acceleration and electronic vehicle controls used by all automobile manufactures. The National Academy of Sciences’ National Research Council will review industry and government efforts to identify possible sources of unintended acceleration, including electronic vehicle controls, human error, mechanical failure and interference with accelerator systems.