Auto minimum sound level - Page 7

TEG · 08-23-2008, 07:47 PM

Another idea:
The car points a sound at any unrecognized bluetooth devices it detects.

graham · 08-23-2008, 09:04 PM

I still like the idea of just turning on the radio.

SByer · 08-23-2008, 09:48 PM

How about we use the numerous bluetooth security vulnerabilities to hack in a vibration response to proximity? (Or just reprogram the hundreds of thousands of recycled phones that have bluetooth capability and hand them out, if you're feeling squirmy about the hacking thing).

Chris' point about bicycles is very well taken: At 20mph, tire noise from cars is more than sufficient. Bicycles travel at 15-20mph, and I don't hear any complaints about them being dangerous for the blind.

I really get the sense that this is mostly about people who think they have an empathy for a handicapped group, but have no clue, because they really haven't done a mile in anybody's shoes. My brother is in a wheelchair, and while I'm always looking out for things that might get in his way, I've learned enough to know that you just don't know - ask.

We need to get this back to science - what does the data actually show. But, of course, this is the California legislature. If it can't regulate gentle spanking or come up with a budget, it's got to do something. Idle hands, and all that.

vfx · 08-24-2008, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by graham

Does this strike anyone else as similar to the Red Flag law?
Red flag laws - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Where early automobiles were forced to have someone walking in front of it waving a red flag? This seems similar, and about as useful.

Great analogy. Our issue is even more ridiculous because we are subjecting 100 percent of the population to a noise maker for a tiny percent of blind.

dpeilow · 08-26-2008, 12:17 PM

From The London Paper on my way home.

Quote:

Electric Vehicles 'Bad for Blind'

Electric and hybrid vehicles may be good for the environment, but they are bad for the blind. A bill has been passed in california requesting the vehicles make enough noise to be heard by visually impaired people.

graham · 08-26-2008, 12:49 PM

Well, a bill has been approved by the California Senate which has been sent to the Governor on whether to form a committee to study if a recommendation for quiet vehicles needing to be noisier should be considered for 2010.

This is a far cry from "A bill has been passed in California" requiring quiet cars be nosier.

malcolm · 08-27-2008, 06:53 AM

Before anyone rushes to install sound generators on quiet cars, it might be useful to consider this:

BBC NEWS | Magazine | Can 'naked roads' kill speed?

Naked Roads : Brake - the Road Safety Charity

Quieter cars may actually increase road safety by forcing greater levels of attention in both drivers and pedestrians.

Someone should test this.

malcolm · 09-04-2008, 01:54 PM

Well wha-da-ya-know?

Sound of sports car engine 'arouses women' - Telegraph

"The roar of a luxury car engine does cause a primeval physiological response."

Ah ha! So that's why everyone is suddenly expressing so much concern for the safety of the blind!

It's not the members of the visually impaired community that they're thinking about.....

vfx · 09-04-2008, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by malcolm

Well wha-da-ya-know?

I believe this is a learned response. Try it with small children or a jungle tribe member.

Then compare the Tesla's sonics against them.

vfx · 09-13-2008, 05:53 PM

I'm going to apply this study to the saturation of Silent Electric vehicles.
Bike Accidents Decline As Ridership Rises | Autopia from Wired.com

The more silent cars there are on the road the more drives will be aware of them.

Trasnportation went from clop clop clop to EVs before, it can do it again.