[Quietcars] discussion of future car sounds

[Mary Ellen]

Bob,

Yes, absolutely, I want cars to sound like cars.  If I want to go to an
amusement park, I'll buy a ticket to Disneyland.

Your support of our safe access to the public streets has never been in
doubt.  I've always found your comments both technically awe inspiring and
supportive of blind people.

My earlier point is that supporting cars sounding like cars does not mean
opposing collision avoidence systems or any other technical improvement that
would make the streets safer for everyone.  It isn't an either or
proposition.  Ultimately, we need both.  It's just that I am not willing to
trust my safety completely to the car or the driver.  I want to bear my
share of the responsibility, too, until we reach the time when cars are so
smart that no pedestrian need ever fear.  Even then, I believe pedestrians
need to treat cars and their drivers with courtesy and respect.  Just
because pedestrians might have the right of way In some circumstances
doesn't mean that pedestrians have the right to fail in courtesy and respect
for drivers.

So, you see, we really don't disagree on anything fundamental.  Your
additions to the list have helped take the discussion from the purely
philosophical into technical realms where I would never have dared venture.
I still am not likely to read anything too technically involved, so I find
your summaries particularly helpful.

 

-----Original Message-----
From: quietcars-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:quietcars-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Robert Wilson
Sent: October 10, 2011 5:50 PM
To: quietcars at nfbnet.org
Subject: Re: [Quietcars] discussion of future car sounds


Hi Mary Ellen,

I'm sorry that my unchanged opinion about this legislation obscured the
important news, the NHTSA has released a major report:

http://www.nhtsa.gov/DOT/NHTSA/NVS/Crash%20Avoidance/Technical%20Publication
s/2011/811496.pdf

I have not read the report in detail, yet. What is welcome is the emphasis
that the sound should be like a car engine and quantify the frequencies and
sound levels. This is a serious report using careful study and metrics. I
would recommend folks download it and read it. Technical, it is an example
of good engineering testing.

Now one of my fears has been that Dave McCurdy's Automotive Association
wanted hybrids and EV cars to sound like clown cars. Embedded in this report
is that risk:

"Some of the prototype sounds that were tested in this research were
synthesized to resemble ICE sounds, while others were not. . . . " - the
clown car sounds.

". . . Some sounds, were comprised of entirely synthetic, non-ICE sounds
generated by a digital-signal-processor . . . These sounds lack the
low-frequency, fundamental combustion noise of an ICE, which allows them to
be placed through small, well-sealed speakers similar to those used in
back-up warning devices." - yes, cheap, clown car sounds.

Happily, this report has identified blind pedestrians as the primary users
and I have no problem with that aspect of the law. I agree that S.841 is a
'public access' issue. As such, blind pedestrians need to read and
understand the report and ask yourself if you want hybrids and electric cars
to sound like engine equipped cars or some "entirely synthetic, non-ICE
sounds" . . . a clown car.

Bob Wilson

> From: gabias at telus.net
> To: quietcars at nfbnet.org
> Date: Mon, 10 Oct 2011 10:46:35 -0700
> Subject: Re: [Quietcars] discussion of future car sounds
> 
> I agree that the quiet car legislation has not implemented the kinds 
> of collision avoidance technology that would make driving, and being a 
> pedestrian, safer for everyone.  However, I don't see the two 
> objectives as competing with one another.  Bob, you seem to be 
> concerned that Congress and the automobile manufacturers will feel 
> making cars audible has relieved them of the obligation of creating really
good collision avoidance programming.
> I believe there is enough advantage in such technology for drivers  -- 
> not to mention the insurance industry -- that it will come about.
. . .
 		 	   		  
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