Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) in low-speed operation may introduce a safety issue for pedestrians. This study compared the auditory detectability of HEVs and internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles among pedestrians who are legally blind. Independent travelers, with self-reported normal hearing, listened to binaural audio recordings of two HEVs and two ICE vehicles in three operating conditions, and two different ambient sound levels. The operating conditions include: approaching at a constant speed (6 mph); backing out at 5 mph; and slowing from 20 to 10 mph (as if to turn right). The ambient sound levels were a quiet rural (31.2 dB(A)) and a moderately noisy suburban ambient (49.8 dB(A)). Overall, participants took longer to detect HEVs (operated in electric mode). Vehicle type, ambient level, and operating condition had a significant effect on response time. Candidate countermeasures are discussed in terms of types of information provided (direction, rate of speed change), useful range of detection of vehicles by pedestrians, warning time, acceptability and barriers to implementation.


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    Title :

    Auditory Detectability of Hybrid Electric Vehicles by Pedestrians Who Are Blind


    Contributors:
    L. Garya-Vega (author) / J. K. Pollard (author) / C. Guthy (author) / A. Hastings (author)

    Publication date :

    2010


    Size :

    13 pages


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English




    Auditory Detectability of Hybrid Electric Vehicles by Blind Pedestrians

    Garay-Vega, Lisandra / Pollard, John K. / Guthy, Catherine et al. | Transportation Research Record | 2011



    Acoustic Characteristics of Hybrid Electric Vehicles and Safety of Blind Pedestrians

    Hastings, Aaron / Scarpone, Chris / Samiljan, Bob et al. | Transportation Research Record | 2011