| Author | Message | ||
     Mog |
 I like the stock EBR and Buell exhausts but this article sure lends credence to modified motorcycle exhaust notes. Just got to love the government nanny state. Speakers on electric motorcycles next??? XBRR sound? http://www.afr.com/technology/quiet-cars-rules-to- prevent-injuries-will-cost-makers-52-million-a-yea r-20161114-gspaae 'Quiet cars' rules to prevent injuries will cost makers $52 million a year Nov 15 2016 David Shepardson Reuters [image / RICHARD VOGEL http://www.afr.com/content/dam/images/g/s/p/a/r/i/ image.related.afrArticleLead.620x350.gspaae.png/14 79161046829.jpg Car makers like Tesla will need to add a costly external waterproof speaker to their models ] The US government on Monday completed long-delayed rules that will require "quiet cars" like electric vehicles and hybrids to emit alert sounds at speeds of up to 18.6 miles per hour (30 km/h) to help prevent injuries among pedestrians, cyclists and the blind. The rules, which were required by Congress, will require car makers like Tesla, Nissan and Toyota to add alert sounds to all vehicles by September 2019. The US Transportation Department said it expects the rules would prevent 2400 injuries a year in 2020 and would require the addition of alert sounds to about 530,000 2020 model vehicles. The US National Highway Transportation Department said the rules will cost the car industry about $US39 million ($51.67 million) a year because car makers will need to add an external waterproof speaker to comply. But the benefits of the reduced injuries are estimated at $US250 million to $US320 million a year. NHTSA estimates the odds of a hybrid vehicle being involved in a pedestrian crash are 19 per cent higher compared with a traditional gas-powered vehicle. About 125,000 pedestrians and cyclists are injured annually. The rules will also help the blind and visually impaired. "This is a common-sense tool to help pedestrians-especially folks who are blind or have low vision-make their way safely," said NHTSA Administrator Dr Mark Rosekind in a statement. The new rules apply to hybrid and electric cars, SUVs, trucks and buses that are up to 10,000 pounds and are aimed at preventing crashes at intersections or when electric vehicles are backing up. NHTSA originally proposed extending the audio sound requirements to all vehicles on the road including motorcycles and larger trucks and buses. At higher speeds, the sound alert is not required because other factors like tyre and wind noise provide adequate warning to pedestrians, NHTSA said. Advocates for the blind have pushed for the rules and praised the announcement. Car makers previously raised concerns about the alerts, saying they are too loud and too complicated. They also want them required only at lower speeds. Under a 2010 law passed by Congress, NHTSA was supposed to complete the regulations by January 2014, but the rules were subjected to a lengthy White House review. The Trump administration could opt to review the rules once it takes office. [© 2016 Fairfax Media] | ||
| Midknyte |
What's old is new again https://youtu.be/n79jSzKA0L8 | ||
| Blakeaspencer |
I completely do not think this is the answer. Why can't both the driver and pedestrians just pay attention. But I would like my little car to sound like a turbo diesel | ||
| Jaimec |
EXACTLY!!! | ||
| Professorbarnhouse |
And of course if its coming from a speaker there will be a selection of sounds to choose from..... | ||
| Professorbarnhouse |
Hey, I just invented cartones! I call copyrights! patent pending etc. etc. | ||
| Greest_lightnin |
Lol, can you make a barking dog or quacking duck like a co-workers I-phone? I'm in... | ||
| Ducbsa |
William Tell Overture https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIbYCOiETx0 | ||
| Jaimec |
Stampeding Cattle might be a fun sound in an urban setting... | ||
| Ducbsa |
Steam locomotive sound? | ||
| 1313 |
My vote! | ||
| Glitch |
 YES! | ||
| Tootal |
My neighbor has a Nissan Leaf. It beeps backing up but that's it. We call it the leaf blower so maybe it should sound like one! Love the Jetson's! | ||
| Jaimec |
I want this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSaDPc1Cs5U "Atomic batteries for power, turbines for speed..." | ||
| Airbozo |
I would want the sound of a pack of rabid dogs. | ||
| Njloco |
The bell on our newer train motors/engines, are electric with a speaker that looks like a bell. | ||
| Ratbuell |
Paying attention is great...unless they are actually blind. I can see both sides of the issue. "Identification noise" is one thing. "Loud pipes save lives", another thing entirely. One is legit. | ||
| Jaimec |
I can almost guarantee the rider or driver of the electric vehicle does NOT fall into that category. | ||
| Upthemaiden |
Iron Maiden playing from EVERY car in the country. This has the potential for beautiful things. | ||
| Airbozo |
"Iron Maiden playing from EVERY car in the country. This has the potential for beautiful things." Or very annoying... Which means you wouldn't miss them. | ||
| Ratbuell |
I can almost guarantee the rider or driver of the electric vehicle does NOT fall into that category. Well no shit. You think they put alert noises in cars for the people DRIVING them? Drivers...already kinda KNOW there's a car there. Since they're driving it and all. The alert noises are for blind PEDESTRIANS. So they know there's a car coming if they're thinking about stepping off a curb. | ||
| Ducbsa |
Or oblivious pedestrians. | ||
| Jaimec |
Ratbuell, my point is why isn't the DRIVER of the car watching for pedestrians? It is a two-way street as any insurance agent can tell you. The driver's responsibility is to be watching where he/she is going. Sure the pedestrian should be somewhat less than oblivious too, but BOTH people have to take some responsibility for their actions. I ride a pretty silent electric motorcycle most of the time these days. I haven't gotten close to hitting anyone or anyTHING because I'm paying attention to what is going on around me. I also haven't had any close encounters with other road users even though they can't hear me because I'm taking precautions and responsibility for my OWN safety. Before I started riding motorcycles I used to ride a bicycle everywhere so I may be more aware than most of what it's like to be completely invisible; but if you just assume everyone around you is a blind, oblivious DOLT you are usually not disappointed and get to survive another day. Having a vehicle emit noise to alert others to your presence is just another way of handing off YOUR safety and responsibility to the other guy. If everyone walks around blindly believing someone else is watching out for them? That's a recipe for disaster. | ||
| Airbozo |
A lot laws are passed to protect the lowest common denominator. Sadly, there are more and more of those laws being passed. | ||
| Ducbsa |
There's some car commercial being shown now where various people are singing "You Don't Own Me" and in one scene the car's Lane Deviation or whatever alerts that they are crossing the lane marker. My view is that the driver should sing less and regard driving as her prime job and maybe even just hum along. In the mean time, I've put a set of air horns on my TR4A! | ||
| Fresnobuell |
LOL. Makes me think back to when the E-bikes were all the rage and racing with the AMA. The quietness of the bikes was an issue on the track, so alot of them got literally bike bells and would sound them when overtaking. Bling-bling. Bling-bling. Ah the memories.... | ||
| Jaimec |
So far, eBikes are exempt from the "must make noise" ruling. I remember the eBike race at Indianapolis (that was the year I first met Shelina Moreda who was racing a Brammo). The announcers were joking that the riders didn't have to check the jumbotrons to see how their opponents were doing because they could CLEARLY hear the track announcers TELLING them where they were as they lapped around the track. They weren't perfectly quiet (anyone who works with electric power tools knows electric motors aren't silent) but you could easily carry on a conversation in the stands as the race was occurring. | ||
| Fresnobuell |
Chains made the most noise Strange how that whole eBike thing sort of lost momentum. | ||
| Jaimec |
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| Ratbuell |
I agree, I keep waiting for Webster's to pull "accountability" out of the dictionary. Wasn't saying I agree or support the idea (or the theories behind it)...just that I can see both sides of the argument. Personally? I'm dead tired at the end of a ride because I'm busy paying enough attention for me, the other guy, and the two guys behind him. But I'm the minority. I think some chlorine in the ol' gene pool may not be a bad thing. Go, Darwin! But if something as simple as a little bit of sound can help to re-train the sheeple...what's the harm? Not like we're talking drag pipes here... |
