Highlights We assessed the effects of warning sounds on electric vehicle (EV) detectability. Our first study showed that warning sounds improved EV detectability by pedestrians. Our second study replicated these results in an ecological context. These two studies indicate that adding external sounds can help prevent accidents.
Abstract Virtually silent electric vehicles (EVs) may pose a risk for pedestrians. This paper describes two studies that were conducted to assess the influence of different types of external sounds on EV detectability. In the first study, blindfolded participants had to detect an approaching EV with either no warning sounds at all or one of three types of sound we tested. In the second study, designed to replicate the results of the first one in an ecological setting, the EV was driven along a road and the experimenters counted the number of people who turned their heads in its direction. Results of the first study showed that adding external sounds improve EV detection, and modulating the frequency and increasing the pitch of these sounds makes them more effective. This improvement was confirmed in the ecological context. Consequently, pitch variation and frequency modulation should both be taken into account in future AVAS design.
Effect of additional warning sounds on pedestrians’ detection of electric vehicles: An ecological approach
Accident Analysis and Prevention ; 97 ; 176-185
2016-09-05
10 pages
Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch
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