Sound requirements for EV's

[AZEqualizer]

Since there are several legislatures trying to enact bills to require a minimum sound requirement for EV's or other means of warning the visually impaired when a near silent vehicle is cruising threw their path .... I thought it was interesting that Lotus has developed and demonstrated a system to address this concern.
Lotus Introduces Hybrid External Sound Technology for Improved Pedestrian Safety - This article was published in Edmunds green car advisor.
http://blogs.edmunds.com/greencaradvisor/2008/08/lotus-introduces-hybrid-external-sound-technology-for-improved-pedestrian-safety.html
This is a link to the Lotus site where they have a video of the Lotus "Safe & Sound" technology
http://www.grouplotus.com/engineering/downloads/videos.html

[Jack Willard]

Lotus could have gone with any number of sounds -- heart-pounding gallop and screaming fighter jet are two of our faves -- but true to character Lotus went with high-revving race car.Yep. Screaming fighter jet is by all means my favorite. It has to be that to make the afterburner add-on work to it's potential. cool:thu:mb1

http://www.flytheroadclub.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=706&stc=1&d=1218053871

But let me ask you. If you were that blind pedestrian, and you heard the screaming fighter jet, would you jump aside or duck? We'll just have to wait and see.

[AZEqualizer]

California may just pass Maryland as the first State to require hybrid and electric cars to have a minimum sound level. While the East Coast state has created a task force (http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/02/16/maryland-legislators-may-require-cars-to-make-some-noise/) to study the issue, the Senate in the far-left State has just now approved a bill (SB 1174) (http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/postquery?bill_number=sb_1174&sess=CUR&house=B) which would establish its own committee for the same purpose. The bill will now be passed on to The Governator, Mr. Arnold Schwarzenegger himself, who has apparently not taken a stance as of yet on the politically-charged issue. Although Cali is just the third-largest State by land area, it is the most populous and has a huge collection of hybrids and electric vehicles due to its strict emissions requirements, and we all know how important California's auto legislation is for setting the stage across the country.

While many may argue over whether or not legislation is really required for cars being too quiet, the technology certainly exists to take care of it. (see above)

This according to report in Autobloggreen (http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/08/22/cali-senate-approves-bill-to-make-hybrids-noisier/) and the AP

[Jack Willard]

Although Cali is just the third-largest State by land area

Nope. California is the second largest State. Believe it or not, there are like five more acres than Texas. o:o:p:s12 Shsssssh...don't tell-em. They will be soooooo pi.......ed!:(

[AZEqualizer]

You forgot about the State of Confusion.... It is by far the biggest state in the US. :eek:

[RAN]

I hope Arnold has the sense to veto this stupid bill. Just when we thought we might someday have a respite from much of the noise of traffic, now we have to put up with this nonsense. If we're so worried about the visually impaired, why don't we require all cars to be day-glo colors? And to glow in the dark?

Besides, I thought that if one of your senses was weak or gone, the others heightened to compensate. The visually impaired can probably hear EVs better than the rest of us can.

Next, EVs will have to omit noxious odors just like ICEs, so those who are visually and hearing impaired can smell them coming.

Sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeesh!

[RAN]

Nope. California is the second largest State. Believe it or not, there are like five more acres than Texas. o:o:p:s12 Shsssssh...don't tell-em. They will be soooooo pi.......ed!:(

That's toooooooo funny!!!!!!!!!
r:o:f:l:2:2:1hy:per1):LOL:

[JoeU]

I am not sure that is right. o:o:p:s12 Check out http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0108355.html It seems there is s vast difference - ~155 to ~261 Sorry Jacko:h"we"ll1:(u:n:s;ure;5(

[danbucks]

Sound level should be a function of how moronic the driver is (moron factor in part derived from accident/insurance rating)- you know, kinda like a bell on a cat.
That way, blind or not blind, we all know the moron is approaching, and to be extra ready on the brakes/gas dr:ive1)

[RAN]

Sound level should be a function of how moronic the driver is (moron factor in part derived from accident/insurance rating)- you know, kinda like a bell on a cat.
That way, blind or not blind, we all know the moron is approaching, and to be extra ready on the brakes/gas dr:ive1)

Yup, and they should all have to paint their cars day-glo pink so the hearing impaired can see em coming too!

[esoneson]

It would be cheaper to provide an audible motion detector for every mobile blind person than to continue with this type of legislature.

As a matter of fact, guide dogs are trained to not cross when cars are coming regardless of how much or little noise they make.

I'd rather trust a dog than a California legislator.

[RAN]

It would be cheaper to provide an audible motion detector for every mobile blind person than to continue with this type of legislature.

Ahh.... yup.


As a matter of fact, guide dogs are trained to not cross when cars are coming regardless of how much or little noise they make.Yup yup.


I'd rather trust a dog than a California legislator.Hahahahahahahahaha! Absolutely!!!!!

BTW... Welcome esoneson!!!

[AZEqualizer]

United News Media (http://sev.prnewswire.com/auto/20090422/DC0339122042009-1.html) had this press release:

U.S. Senators John Kerry and Arlen Specter Introduce Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act


National Federation of the Blind Applauds Measure to Protect Lives and Preserve Independence of Blind Americans

WASHINGTON, April 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Senators John Kerry (D-MA) and Arlen Specter (R-PA) today introduced a bill, S. 841, intended to protect the blind and other pedestrians from injury or death as a result of silent vehicle technology. The Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act of 2009 requires the Secretary of Transportation to conduct a study on how to protect the blind and others from being injured or killed by vehicles using hybrid, electric, and other silent engine technologies.

Because blind pedestrians cannot locate and evaluate traffic using their vision, they must listen to traffic to discern its speed, direction, and other attributes in order to travel safely and independently. Other people, including pedestrians who are not blind, bicyclists, runners, and small children, also benefit from hearing the sound of vehicle engines. New vehicles that employ hybrid or electric engine technology can be silent, rendering them extremely dangerous in situations where vehicles and pedestrians come into proximity with each other.

"The National Federation of the Blind appreciates the wise and decisive action taken today by Senators Kerry and Specter to preserve the right to safe and independent travel for the blind," said Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind. "The blind, like all pedestrians, must be able to travel to work, to school, to church, and to other places in our communities without being injured or killed. This bill will benefit all pedestrians for generations to come as new vehicle technologies become more prevalent. The blind of America will do everything in our power to ensure its swift passage."

"I'm a major proponent of hybrid vehicles -- I own one, I drive one, and I've seen firsthand their environmental and economic benefits," said Senator Kerry. "The market is demanding new technologies in the auto industry, and Americans are demanding we finally kick our foreign oil addiction. As we continue to promote our energy independence, however, we must do more to ensure the safety of those who use senses other than sight to navigate the roads. I look forward to working with Secretary LaHood to ensure that hybrid vehicles are safe for everyone."

"Blind people have the same right to safe travel as all other pedestrians," said Senator Specter. "I look forward to working with my colleagues on this important legislation to ensure that the blind and other pedestrians can continue to travel safely and independently."

About the National Federation of the Blind
With more than 50,000 members, the National Federation of the Blind is the largest and most influential membership organization of blind people in the United States. The NFB improves blind people's lives through advocacy, education, research, technology, and programs encouraging independence and self-confidence. It is the leading force in the blindness field today and the voice of the nation's blind. In January 2004 the NFB opened the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute, the first research and training center in the United States for the blind led by the blind.
Website: http://www.nfb.org/ (http://www.trafficresults.com/click-rabbit.php?acctid=po0kpqB70jY=&docid=DC0339122042009-1&redirect=1&url=http://www.nfb.org/)