[Quietcars] Passenger defeatable systems.

[Corbb O'Connor]

Hi Bob,

I've been quietly reading this list for several months. But I have a  
question. You mention that the data (the NHTSA report, I believe?)  
don't show that there are enough incidents between pedestrians and  
quiet cars to merit a 100% minimum sound standard...so instead we  
should target the "danger points" -- turn signals, backup, etc. But  
the data aren't complete. Imagine this: I'm a blind person walking to  
work. I'm walking down the sidewalk when all of a sudden I hear brakes  
to my right, look closely, and see a car a few inches from my cane.  
After giving a dirty look (and maybe thumbs down?) to the driver who  
has floored their car out of a parking garage without mind for  
potential pedestrians, I go on my way. The data aren't likely to show  
this incident. Some luck saved my cane -- and probably me -- from a  
collision. I didn't stop to write down the license plate, make, model,  
etc. (nevermind that I probably couldn't see well enough to do that on  
my own anyway), and there's nothing to do with the info other than  
report a close-call to this group. Are you saying that we need more  
violent incidents before we should require a minimum sound standard  
for cars? You don't seem like somebody who would think that, but  
that's the essence of my question...blunt as it may be.

Corbb

On Jun 6, 2010, at 10:36 AM, Robert Wilson wrote:


Hi Mike,

> Date: Wed, 2 Jun 2010 10:33:31 -0400
> From: mrtownsend at optonline.net
> To: quietcars at nfbnet.org
> Subject: Re: [Quietcars] Passenger defeatable systems.
>
> This seems like a possible idea.  However, Bob, if people carry these
> devices, who's going to pay for them,

Today, we get two normal fobs. I see the safety fob being part of the  
the standard equipment list for all new cars, much like any other  
piece of safety equipment because it lets both the driver, pedestrian  
and by-standers know there is an at-risk pedestrian in the area. One  
alternative is the ability to reprogram a standard fob into a safety  
fob. Issue three fobs with one configured as a safety fob.

I've bought fobs for the NHW11 and NHW20 along with a keyless  
development system to more fully understand the technology. Lesson's  
learned: (1) the fobs are microprocessor controlled, which is critical  
for vehicle operation but makes them unusually flexible; (2) the data  
rates are modest but easily decipherable and; the small 1x2 inch or  
smaller boards have very few parts, very cheap to produce.

I don't underestimate the technical challenges of making a practical,  
universal safety fob but  seat belts and air bags had resistance and  
development challenges too. Sad to say, the language of the Stearns  
amendment all but rules this approach out. Otherwise, I and a few  
others would be pretty busy right now.

> . . . how does one go about applying to
> receive one, prove that they actually need one and

The owner has the option of either keeping for their own use, say a  
pre-school child or elderly family member, or letting the dealer  
donate to a local service organization.

> . . . who is going to carry out
> the testing of such devices on a periodic basis to ensure that they  
> are
> working as hoped.

The safety fob is tested by walking outside. The receiver operation is  
automatic and built-in to the vehicle. As for the horn bleep, testing  
would be needed but such testing should include more of a click versus  
even the muted bleep of the Volt. As newer vehicles come into the  
fleet, they would increase the population and because they are 'on  
demand,' even older vehicle drivers could hear the warning from the  
newer cars. In contrast, the constant noise generator becomes "the boy  
who cried wolf."

Bob Wilson
		 	   		
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