Hybrid, electric vehicles to become louder for pedestrian safety

[Casino67]

SmartPlanet.com:

The House on Thursday approved a bill that would make electric and hybrid cars louder in the name of pedestrian safety.

Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-FL) sponsored the bill. The Senate approved a version last week and now it goes to President Obama’s desk.

Under the proposed legislation, auto regulators would have to set minimum sound levels for hybrid and electric vehicles. With some additional noise, blind pedestrians will be able to hear them coming and travel more safely.

Stearns said the Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act will protect the blind, children and joggers who need to hear traffic.

The House approved the bill 379 to 30. If the bill is signed by Obama there will be a study to “determine the minimum amount of sound necessary” to alert pedestrians. The Department of Transportation will enact the noise regulations within 18 months.

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[NCJim]

I wonder how much power it would take to make the noise they want.

[Evad]

All you need is a deck of playing cards and some clothes pins.

Case solved.

[Casino67]

I wonder how much power it would take to make the noise they want.

 

Maybe they can get the little piggy in the GEICO commercial to record the 'weee's' to be played by every car.

 

I have wondered about the lack of noise though. A lot of people like me depend on hearing the car coming when out walking the dog or just walking. SILENCE KILLS.

[NCJim]

While I have never thought about the noise factor in these cars. I can understand where your coming from. As I ride a bike and yes I like it loud.

But when I am in my car I like the quite.

[clearvision]

Are they going to say what kind of sound it has to make? Can the owner choose the sound effect? Could be interesting. Don't want to be anywhere in hearing distance of Rokke's vehicle.

[SrWoodchuck]

I wonder how much power it would take to make the noise they want.

NCJim!

 

Low Tech:

 

Two or more squirrels, hamsters or cat's in an exercise wheel, could make happy noises of activity....& costs peanuts.

 

Playing cards clothespinned to the wheel spokes make a great sound......and it's green.

 

High tech:

 

You could install a small coal-fired boiler to make the sounds of a steam engine & remind you that it's really not green energy; because even electricity needs to be produced by natural gas or coal-fired energy plants.

 

Small household propane heaters [i used a larger version for new construction work-called a "salamander"] could make roaring noises [like a jet aircraft] & even show a small flame out an exhaust like an afterburner. Nifty looking & clean energy!

 

Edited to add: You could add a cheap karaoke machine with a continuous play cd of a Ferrari Testarossa, a Viper V-10, Kennelworth......or Santa's sleigh, for a seasonal ambience!

[Casino67]

While I have never thought about the noise factor in these cars. I can understand where your coming from. As I ride a bike and yes I like it loud.

But when I am in my car I like the quite.

 

I don't think the interior noise level would be affected. They are made so quiet now that it is hard to hear the engine running.

[Rokke]

Are they going to say what kind of sound it has to make? Can the owner choose the sound effect? Could be interesting. Don't want to be anywhere in hearing distance of Rokke's vehicle.

How much fun would that be! You already have zero cool points driving around in a little battery car. Might as well cap it off with some symphonic farting.