Tuesday, 14 April 2015

Silent Vehicles Could Be Required To Make Loud Noises

By Cornelius Nunev


Electric automobiles are notoriously quiet. This is not typically a feature, but definitely a side benefit. There is legislation in the works that would require noise. Electric and hybrid cars are especially targeted. There is already after-market technology available to add the roar of an engine to hybrid vehicles.

How a quiet auto could be dangerous

Hybrids and electric cars tend to be quite quiet when going slow. At speeds above 20 miles per hour, the air resistance against the automobile does make some sound, but it is generally not as loud as gasoline-powered engines. While this is good news for noise pollution, it is bad news for several of those who rely on automobiles making sound. Those who need the sound consist of cyclist, the blind and pedestrians. They use the noise to determine how close or far away a vehicle is which is harder when the sound changed. When a hybrid or electric moves at a slow speed, studies have shown it is twice as likely to collide with pedestrians.

How car manufacturers act

Most car makers are already working on the car sound issue. This involves corporations for instance Nissan. The Nissan Leaf is reportedly going to be making a "futuristic buzzing noise" in later models. Separate businesses, for instance Lotus Engineering, are creating kits that add realistic engine rumbling to hybrid cars. It is simple to change a Prius with the kits. You can sound like a race vehicle sometimes. Some kits will make a hybrid sound like an 8- or 12-cylinder car. This will give people sound whenever they're ready.

Keeping every person safe

A requirement for automobile sound might be put together by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Regulation like this is being considered in the European Union. Car manufacturers have been asking if it is possible to do natural noises. Most blind-advocacy groups are against this though. Worldwide standards may be created by the Society of Automotive Engineers. It is hoping to keep the streets from having many random noises on them.




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