Sez here in the paper today that pedestrians who cannot see depend on auditory cues to hear vehicles approaching, and that some hybrid vehicles when operating on batteries are quiet enough to be a hazard. Several persons are quoted as saying they almost got run over by hybrids because they (the hybrids, not the people) were not loud enough.
What to do? Add speakers which mimic the sound of a gasoline engine?
Or some other sound? Ringtones? a voice saying "Danger, Danger"?
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BCMT6, Pkg2, KOs, rack, rails, hitch, Abrams, I-Way, Baja 480C, 150W maplight, aux backuplights, aux battery, gerrycan rack, dead buzzers/DRL
I remember reading somewhere, that a hybrid motorcycle was done and had the same issues. Their added sounds to mimic a real motorcycle. Their had to do this so that the rider could hear and sense shifting.
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Brian G.
Hopedale, Massachusetts
Black Cherry 4x4 AT FJ Cruiser - "Spartacus" Upgrade Package A CQ Package C7 Package CF Package DH
I must admit, when our Prius is in 'stealth mode' (that's what we call it when it's just running on the battery) it is quite silent. Only thing to hear is the tires rolling on the ground. It's pretty cool...never really thought about the implications for blind pedestrians...could be a problem, I guess. The biggest danger for pedestrians is the massive blind spots created by the Prius' front pillars and (for me anyway) the relationship of the seat, rearview mirror, and my height (5'10"). The pillars are huge and you end up doing the Prius 'head bob' to see around them. And to reach the steering wheel and pedals, my seating position (seats are quite high) puts my eyesight right in line with the rearview mirror...very hard to see anything on the right side of the vehicle in some instances.
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Inchworm Gear E-Locker Guard
It would be great if I had a clue, but let's face it, that's just not gonna happen.
Maybe they can make it smell like a fart, then the blind can hate them too.
but you can only smell something after it goes by, assuming the diffusion velocity of fartgas in air is less than the speed of the car (which may not quite always be true, though).
So if they get run over, what will they think they got hit by?
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BCMT6, Pkg2, KOs, rack, rails, hitch, Abrams, I-Way, Baja 480C, 150W maplight, aux backuplights, aux battery, gerrycan rack, dead buzzers/DRL
Maybe they can make it smell like a fart, then the blind can hate them too.
OK..I admit...that made me laugh.
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Black Cherry 4X4 AT
Mods:
Kenwood DPX-701 w/Sirius, Polk db's in Dash/Door/Rear, Rebadged, Dynamat Front doors/Rear hatch/Rear floor, PIAA Extreme Plus Headlights/Back-ups/Mirrors, Prodigy Brake Controller, Rewired for 7 pin trailer harness, Magnaflow w/modified side exit exhaust, TRD-SE wheels with 285/75-16 Goodyear Wrangler SA's, All Pro Front w/res
Upgrade Wish List:
All Pro Rear, Front bumper (Exp 1/All Pro/Demello), Gobi Stealth
but you can only smell something after it goes by, assuming the diffusion velocity of fartgas in air is less than the speed of the car (which may not quite always be true, though).
So if they get run over, what will they think they got hit by?
First we must calculate the diffusion velocity of fartgas...this video should help.
Mods:
Kenwood DPX-701 w/Sirius, Polk db's in Dash/Door/Rear, Rebadged, Dynamat Front doors/Rear hatch/Rear floor, PIAA Extreme Plus Headlights/Back-ups/Mirrors, Prodigy Brake Controller, Rewired for 7 pin trailer harness, Magnaflow w/modified side exit exhaust, TRD-SE wheels with 285/75-16 Goodyear Wrangler SA's, All Pro Front w/res
Upgrade Wish List:
All Pro Rear, Front bumper (Exp 1/All Pro/Demello), Gobi Stealth
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