Blind Pedestrians at Risk from Hybrid Cars?

Iria

Source: Tech-Ex
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This story first appeared on NPR way back in February, when they compared the noise levels of a Prius with a standard car --- and you could actually hear the difference.

It's reached the mainstream media now, and although NPR ran a test with one person, the U.S. National Federation of the Blind's Committee on Automotive and Pedestrian Safety ran a larger, though admittedly just as unscientific one.

Matth

If we have a full electric car, will it be required to have an artifical engine noise system?

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Mary had a little lamb,
Her father shot it dead
Now Mary takes her lamb to school,
Between two crusts of bread

Maddogg6

Well - yes - not necessarily 'fake engine sounds' - I imagine they'll adapt some softer 'whirrling' sound like from movies ... They're looking at it for hybrids already (not 100% electric) - seeing as how - electric mode is most likely in busy /congested areas anyway - ie.. no blind peds on the freeways...

Judas

um?

what are blind people doing on the streets?




no seriously.. in fairly busy areas.... every crosswalk usually had a audioable sound when it's safe to cross...

And i'm not blind, but from someone i know that is blind from birth, they have fairly no troubles at all making thier way through urban centers or through small towns without such assistant devices. They are fairly confident that they can clearly hear a silent car moving.... even mentioned that the tread on the tires on pavement make a rather noticeable noise.... and gravel, well that's fairly obvious...

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Maddogg6

Evidently - parking lots seem to be a problem.

And I have yet to see any audible sounds at cross walks here... ?? good idea if they work.

A lot of activity with visually impaired lately in the media/legal forums... Money, cars, target website...