New system to warn pedestrians as quiet vehicles approach.....

Automatic warning system to warn pedestrians as quiet vehicles approach. By: Saudi-nicevehicle.

Electric, hybrid cars may get systems to warn pedestrians as quiet vehicles approach
Japanese firms to develop automatic warning system for hybrid, electric vehicles

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McClatchy/Tribune news

October 11, 2009

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TOKYO - -- Toyota Motor Corp. and Fujitsu Ten Ltd., a major manufacturer of automobile accessories, will jointly develop an automatic warning system for hybrid and electric vehicles to warn pedestrians of their approach, sources say.

Electric vehicles and some hybrids are very quiet when driven at low speeds and could endanger pedestrians who might not hear them approaching.

Other automakers are likely to follow suit to address the problem.

The two companies are planning to conduct an experiment soon on single-seat electric vehicles used in the lobby of Chubu Airport, just outside of Nagoya in central Japan.

The experiment will test various sounds to warn pedestrians that a vehicle is approaching to find "the right tune at the right volume so people are alerted but" aren't annoyed, an official close to the development team said.

The two companies also will look into developing a system that, by synchronizing with obstacle-detection radar, would change the alarm's tune and volume based on such factors as its distance from pedestrians, crowd density and ambient noise.

The companies plan to collect the data by July 2010 and then put any technology into production.

Electric vehicles and some hybrids can run on their electric motors alone when starting or at low speeds, so there's no engine noise.

According to a study by the National Traffic Safety and Environment Laboratory on the difference in noise levels between hybrid and gasoline-powered vehicles, the difference is greater when the vehicles are running at 10 mph or slower.

The study also found that, when slowing to a stop, a gas-powered vehicle puts out about 50 decibels of noise, which is as loud as the sound coming from an average high-rise apartment building in the daytime. However, a hybrid-engine vehicle under the same conditions puts out 30 decibels or less, which is close to that of leaves rustling.

The Construction and Transport Ministry also has convened a committee of specialists, industry groups and organizations for the visually impaired to work on a way to make the electrics louder.

Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune

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