Detroit News: "U.S. proposes minimum sounds for 'quiet cars'"

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Detroit News: "U.S. proposes minimum sounds for 'quiet cars'"

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http://www.detroitnews.com/article/2013 ... |FRONTPAGE
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is proposing new rules to require minimum sound levels from electric vehicles, hybrids and other quiet cars to warn pedestrians.

NHTSA's proposal — required by Congress in 2010 — sets minimum sound levels for hybrid and electric vehicles to help make all pedestrians, especially visually impaired people, aware of approaching vehicles.

Electric and hybrid vehicles do not rely on traditional engines and at low speeds can be very difficult to hear.

NHTSA plans to phase in the new rules starting in the 2016 model year over three years. It expects the proposal will cost the auto industry about $23 million during the first year.

NHTSA estimates the cost of adding a speaker system to comply with the requirements to be around $35 per vehicle.

The new rules would also apply to electric motorcycles and heavy-duty vehicles.

NHTSA estimates the odds of a hybrid vehicle being involved in a pedestrian crash is 19 percent higher compared with traditional gas- or diesel-powered vehicles. For a bicycle crash, it's 38 percent higher.

"Our proposal would allow manufacturers the flexibility to design different sounds for different makes and models while still providing an opportunity for pedestrians, bicyclists and the visually impaired to detect and recognize a vehicle and make a decision about whether it is safe to cross the street," said NHTSA Administrator David Strickland.

The sounds would need to be detectable under a wide range of street noises and other ambient background sounds when the vehicle is traveling less than 18 mph.

NHTSA said at 18 mph and above, vehicles make sufficient noise to allow pedestrians and bicyclists to detect them without added sound.

NHTSA is allowing automakers to have a significant range of choices about the sounds it chooses for its vehicles, but the characteristics of the sounds must meet certain minimum requirements.

NHTSA says each vehicle of the same make and model would need to emit the same sound or set of sounds.

NHTSA estimates the proposal will lead to 2,800 fewer pedestrian and cyclist injuries over the life of each model year, compared to vehicles without sound.

NHTSA has been studying the issue since 2007.

In September 2009, NHTSA's study of 600,000 crashes found hybrid vehicles are two times more likely than traditional gas-powered vehicles to be in a pedestrian crash when the vehicle is backing out, slowing or stopping, starting in traffic, and entering or leaving a parking spot.

NHTSA is working with regulators in Japan and the European Union to set a single standard for automakers worldwide for minimum sound levels through a United Nations working group.
http://www.detroitnews.com/article/2013 ... |FRONTPAGE
Sean Haight, PhD

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