Hybrid cars too quiet for pedestrian safety? Add engine noise, say human factors researchers
Monday, November 17, 2008 - 11:42
in Physics & Chemistry
Important pedestrian safety issues have emerged with the advent of hybrid and electric vehicles. These vehicles are relatively quiet—they do not emit the sounds pedestrians and bicyclists are accustomed to hearing as a vehicle approaches them on the street or at an intersection. In a recent study, human factors/ergonomics researchers examined participants' preferences for sounds that could be added to quiet vehicles to make them easier to detect.