[Quietcars] plea to designers: be REAL

[Ken Stewart]

I opine that the most important four characteristics
of any device or feature added to a quiet vehicle to
create sound when it is operating at slow speeds, can
be identified by the letters, R, E, A, and L.  As
described below;

R Retrofittable- it can be added to all those millions
of vehicles already out on the road.

E Easily applied, that is, the vehicle owner can
install it himself without sophisticated tools or
knowledge

A Automatic, that is, no conscious decision by the
driver is needed for the device or feature to be
working

L  Low-tech, that is, it does not require computerized
programming, elaborate electronics or  periodic
professional maintenance

Therefore, I continue to believe that designers should
be looking at hub caps.  Design of tire treads also
holds promise I think, and even modified bumpers.

Alas, if those four criteria are met, the result will
be a fifth characteristic- It will be economical and
therefore quite appealing to the auto industry.  The
acronym then becomes REAL-E, pronounced "really"!