http://gm-volt.com/2010/06/05/automakers-reach-agreement-on-sound-for-electric-cars/
Automakers Reach Agreement on Sound for Electric Cars
Posted by Lyle in: Features, Politics with 192 Comments
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Electric cars operate very quietly, which is one of the strong
selling points to drivers who appreciate silence. Visually
impaired pedestrians and other road occupants such as bicyclists
however, rely on the sound of combustion engines to negotiate safely.
As such, blind advocacy groups have been working with automakers
for two years to reach a consensus on whether and how electric cars
should be equipped with sounds. Recetnly an agreement was reached.
Automakers will equip their electric cars with audible pedestrian
alert signals that will not be driver activated. These chirping
sounds would automatically be emitted when the car operates at low
speeds to let pedestrians know that it is nearby.
When the first generation Volt goes on sale later this year it will
be equipped with a manually activated pedestrian alert, however
when the new agreement goes into effect, the sound will have to be
automatic. Nissan has equipped the electric LEAF with an automated chirp.
"Bruup, bruup" is how Micky Bly, GM's executive director for
hybrid electric vehicles and batteries imitates the sound that will
be made by the Chevy Volt. The manually toggled stalk will sound
"like the low tone of a horn, but nonstartling."
Mark Perry, marketing director for Nissan said the LEAFs' sound
will be revealed to the public next week in Japan. Earlier reports
indicated it would sound like the flying cars in the movie Blade
Runner. "It's a little too early to disclose it, but when we do
you'll understand the work that went into it from our audio guys," said Perry.
The often proposed idea of downloadable ring tones for electric
cars cars seems unlikely. "We do hate the idea of ring tones,"
said Chris Danielsen, a spokesman for the National Federation of
the Blind, . "We think manufacturers should decide the sound or set
of sounds, and drivers should not able to alter them willy-nilly."
The electric car sound measure is incorporated in the Motor Safety
Act of 2010 which was already proposed in congress and is expected
to be ratified into law by the end of summer.
A group of auto trade groups in cooperation with the National
Federation for the Blind sent a letter to Congress stating the new
law would "will help to ensure the safety of pedestrians,
especially those who are blind, as an increasing number of hybrid
and electric vehicles are sold."
The new legislation would require the National Highway
Transportation Safety Administration to begin drafting the
requirements within 18 months and the rule would have to be
finalized within three years.
David Strickland who is the director of the NHTSA said his agency
is reviewing the agreement which will also be extended to hybrids.
"Our analysis of limited data from 12 states shows that hybrid
electric vehicles do have a significantly higher incidence rate of
pedestrian crashes than internal combustion engines," he said.
Source (Detroit News) and (New York Times)
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