[Quietcars] confused: Quiet cars Digest, Vol 23, Issue 3

[Mary Ellen]

Phil, you ask a very thoughtful question. I think the difference between
other environmental noise and quiet cars is that we have techniques for
dealing with loud sounds but not a nearly total absence of sound.
If a jack hammer is blasting away at an intersection, we can either wait
until it quits, ask someone to assist us across the street, or take a detour
around the noise. Whatever we choose to do, we know where the problem is and
that it is generally localized. If all intersections had so much noise that
we couldn't sort out traffic sounds, that would be a matter for serious
discussion also. I'm happy that, most of the time, we have enough
information to make judgments about too much noise. 
In the case of quiet cars, we don't know when we need to devise alternative
techniques. If we can't hear the car, we can't take prudent steps to avoid
it. We could, of course, decide never to cross a street without sighted
assistance, a solution which is unacceptable to most of us. Unfortunately,
even if we did that, the problem would not be totally solved. We would not
be able to protect ourselves from quiet cars in parking lots or those
backing out of driveways.
I agree that we should, as much as possible, deal with the world the way it
is. I would much prefer to find a way to detect nearly silent vehicles
without asking anyone else to do anything about it. I don't know how to do
it, though, so we are in the unfortunate position of asking for
environmental modification in this instance. If you or anybody else could
devise an alternative technique for avoiding cars I can't hear, I would be
genuinely grateful. I deeply dislike putting the solution for my problem
into someone else's (manufacturers and drivers) hands. 


-----Original Message-----
From: quietcars-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:quietcars-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Phil Templet
Sent: November 17, 2008 10:45 AM
To: quietcars at nfbnet.org
Subject: [Quietcars] confused: Quiet cars Digest, Vol 23, Issue 3



I write this e--mail in hopes someone can explain to me. I admit that quiet
cars have the potential to place pedestrians at risk. However, I don't
believe quiet cars place pedestrians at more risk than  diesel engine
operated vehicles, construction noises, and many everyday environmental
factors. If the philosophy of the NFB is that blind people should live in
the world as it is then why are we trying to change the world when it comes
to quiet Cars?

-----Original Message-----
From: quietcars-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:quietcars-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of quietcars-request at nfbnet.org
Sent: Monday, November 17, 2008 12:00 PM
To: quietcars at nfbnet.org
Subject: Quietcars Digest, Vol 23, Issue 3

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Today's Topics:

   1. plea to designers:  be REAL (Ken Stewart)


----------------------------------------------------------------------

Message: 1
Date: Sun, 16 Nov 2008 18:48:50 -0800 (PST)
From: Ken Stewart <cclvi at yahoo.com>
Subject: [Quietcars] plea to designers:  be REAL
To: quietcars at nfbnet.org
Message-ID: <118377.96000.qm at web55802.mail.re3.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

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"!



      



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End of Quietcars Digest, Vol 23, Issue 3
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