[Quietcars] NHTSA report: DOT HS 811 204 September 2009

[Robert Wilson]

Hi Michael,

> Date: Thu, 1 Oct 2009 14:23:19 -0400
> From: mrtownsend at optonline.net
> To: quietcars at nfbnet.org
> Subject: Re: [Quietcars] NHTSA report: DOT HS 811 204 September 2009
> 
> Again, thanks for this.  Inconclusive or inclusive?  Since hybrid sales are
> somewhere around 20% of the vehicles or less that are sold, we may find that
> these stats will rise as the quieter, not specifically hybrid v3ehicles are
> sold more readily or in greater numbers.  The beeping bulbs, as I call them,
> would surely make a difference in alerting those of us who are pedestrians
> as to which directions the cars are turning:  but there again, would the
> noises emitted be the same for right or left turns, or if the bulbs were
> utilized in the tail lamp areas, would they be of a di9fferent noise, note
> or sound?  

I found one version of 'beeping bulbs,' which are designed to replace a backup, tail-light. The run about $60 each retail, today. As for left and right turns, I am thinking we need to let the data tell us if 'right' or 'left' turns are more hazardous. I suspect that in the USA, right turns because of the "right turn on red" rule along with both driver and pedestrians looking at the crossing traffic lane, not each other, may be the risky area. But we really need the right and left turn data from the 12 State study, if it is available, for both HEV and ICE vehicles.

> Perhaps, the frequency of the beeps, meaning rapidity or speed, might be
> different, but then again, which standards will be applied and by which
> manufacturers and if the bulbs were installed by someone in an aftermarket
> situation, who would monitor such installs?  All questions which are yet to
> be answered.  Some might say that these are minor or trivial, but as someone
> who is out daily and who also loves cars, these are things about which I've
> thought just on the spur of the moment after reading your piece, bob.  

I was thinking with my 'engineering' mind about how to proceed from this latest piece of information to rapidly gather better data and understand what is going on.

Bob Wilson
 		 	   		  
_________________________________________________________________
Bing™  brings you maps, menus, and reviews organized in one place.   Try it now.
http://www.bing.com/search?q=restaurants&form=MLOGEN&publ=WLHMTAG&crea=TEXT_MLOGEN_Core_tagline_local_1x1