[Quietcars] How will the Start/Stop system affect blind pedestrians?

Tue Oct 5 16:00:04 UTC 2010

Thank you for the explanation, Bob. I really appreciated it as well. I
don't think these "micro hybrids" will really work in the U.S., but
we'll just have to see...there is a bill being considered in Congress
to require all cars have this system, if I remember right.

How will this sort of "micro hybrid" effect independent travel? Do
they go silent when idling, or is there some noise to indicate to a
blind pedestrian that there is a car there? That is my main concern
about this start/stop system, that they will be like the actual
hybrids in being so silent, but I don't think they are under the Quiet
Car bill that was passed.

On 10/4/10, michael townsend <mrtownsend at optonline.net> wrote:
> Thanks, Bob.  I appreciated your explanation and didn't think that this type
> of hybrid would last. I think that Chevy is still touting the Malibu hybrid,
> though.  Wonder how long it will be until they change this over.
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: quietcars-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:quietcars-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
> Behalf Of Robert Wilson
> Sent: Monday, October 04, 2010 4:54 AM
> To: quietcars at nfbnet.org
> Subject: Re: [Quietcars] How will the Start/Stop system affect blind
> pedestrians?
>
>
> Hi,
>
> Let me share some details about the automatic start/stop systems. General
> Motors sold them to the public up until May of this year calling them "mild
> hybrids" or belt-assisted hybrids. Wiki reports they are still sold to
> 'fleets.' Today we call them "micro hybrids," a more accurate description.
> About three years ago, I drove a Saturn VUE equipped with a GM belt-assisted
> hybrid system.
>
> These "micro hybrids" typically have a 5 hp or less, modified alternator
> that can also work as a motor using a 36 V power system connected to a 170
> hp gas engine. But the GM versions did not have enough power to start a cold
> engine so they still had to use a regular (and heavy) 12 V starter and
> battery in addition to the higher voltage, modified alternator system. The
> hybrid part had little effect on vehicle efficiency.
>
> In contrast, the Honda Integrated Motor Assist provides nearly 20 hp
> electric motor power directly to the 85 hp engine flywheel. This allows a
> 1.3L engine to perform like a 1.5L engine by providing the low-end, torque.
> Honda uses it with their Insight, a small hatchback with a similar,
> aerodynamic shape to the Prius. The Honda Insight is returning nearly
> identical mileage, 49-50 MPG, to their owners as the Prius but it is a
> compact car. I hit my head on the door trying to sit down into an Insight.
>
> These GM "micro hybrids" led to many complaints by new owners because it was
> a gas car with a second, computer controlled starter. The disappointed
> owners would come to the Green Hybrid web site and we would explain why. But
> some car companies are run by hybrid-skeptics who believe the word "hybrid"
> is all it takes to fool the public. GM "mild hybrid" sales to the public
> stopped the same month Bob Lutz finally retired from GM.
>
> Bob Wilson
>
>> Date: Tue, 28 Sep 2010 20:01:48 -0400
>> From: herekittykat2 at gmail.com
>> To: quietcars at nfbnet.org
>> Subject: [Quietcars] How will the Start/Stop system affect blind
> pedestrians?
>>
>> Dear List,
>> I have been reading a lot lately about the introduction of the
>> start/stop system into the American autobmobile industry, and I have
>> much concern about it. I am not sure if I understand the start/stop
>> system completely correctly, and I hope you can shed some list on it
>> for me.
>>
>> >From what I've been reading, the start/stop system is much like the
>> hybrid concept except that it doesn't have the electronic component.
>> According to an article on Smart Planet, "when an equipped car stops,
>> so does its engine." ("American Cars Will Soon Get 'Start-Stop'
>> Fule-Saving Tech,
>> www.smartplanet.com/technology/.../american...start-stop.../5231/). If
>> this is so, wouldn't that mean that when the car is idling, it will be
>> silent, just like quiet cars?
>>
>> How will this start-stop system affect blind pedestrians' ability to
>> determine idling traffic at stop signs, red lights, waiting to turn
>> from a parking lot or driveway, or in other similar situations? I fear
>> that it will make the roads even more dangerous for blind pedestrians
>> who rely on the sound of idling traffic to know if there is a car to
>> look out for.
>>
>> With concern,
>> ~Jewel
>> Check out my blog about accessibility for the blind!
>> Treasure Chest for the Blind: http://blindtreasurechest.blogspot.com
>>
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-- 
~Jewel
Check out my blog about accessibility for the blind!
Treasure Chest for the Blind: http://blindtreasurechest.blogspot.com