An IIHS survey found that many drivers don t know how to use antilock brakes effectively and manufacturers instructions don t offer much help. IIHS s survey found that 45 percent of drivers who had vehicles with ABS indicated that they would pump the brake to stop on a slippery surface. Toyota conducted a similar survey in which 60 percent of those questioned responded that they pumped the brake pedal during emergency situations. A related theory questions the design integrity of ABS systems. An ABS design may test well under track conditions, but its performance is dependent on human interaction.
Human factors play a role as important as the electronic and mechanical design of the system.
If the design sends counter-intuitive signals to users, system performance will undoubtedly fall short of expectations. Regardless of how well the technology works in theory and test conditions, designs must fully consider how human interactions will affect performance in real-world conditions.