[infoshare] Re: Fwd: Automakers Reach Agreement on Sound for Electric Cars
- From: Eliza Cooper <eliza.l.cooper@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: infoshare@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Tue, 9 Nov 2010 10:21:04 -0500
Ugh, I can't wait for this to take effect. Hybrids drive (pun intended) me
crazy!
Eliza
On Nov 9, 2010, at 9:16 AM, gar@xxxxxxxxxx wrote:
> FYI
>
> Sent: Monday, November 08, 2010 10:18 PM
>> Subject: [Members] Automakers Reach Agreement on Sound for Electric Cars
>>
>>
>>> 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
>>> Share:
>>> 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)
>>> This entry was posted on Saturday, June 5th, 2010 at 6:51 am and is filed
>>> under Features, Politics. You can follow any responses to this entry
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>>> This post has been viewed 4083 times.
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