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Impact of Artificial Alert Sound on Detectability of Hybrid Electric Vehicles by Blind Pedestrians

This study investigates how the addition of artificially generated sound affects the ability of blind pedestrians to detect hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs). The relevance of this research stems from the potential impact of HEVs on the mobility of blind individuals, as quieter vehicles may pose increased danger. The study involved 14 legally blind adults detecting vehicles at two test sites. Results showed that HEVs with a Vehicle Sound for Pedestrians (VSP) system were detected significantly further away than HEVs without VSP. Equipping hybrid and electric vehicles with alerting sound systems could contribute to the safety of blind pedestrians.

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Impact of Artificial Alert Sound on Detectability of Hybrid Electric Vehicles by Blind Pedestrians

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  1. Impact of adding artificially generated alert sound to hybrid electric vehicles on their detectability by pedestrians who are blind Dae Shik Kim, PhD; Robert Wall Emerson, PhD; Koorosh Naghshineh, PhD; Jay Pliskow, MS; Kyle Myers, MS

  2. Aim • Investigate how addition of artificially generated sound affects blind pedestrians’ detectability of hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs). • Relevance • Potential impact of hybrid and battery electric vehicles on mobility of blind pedestrians topic of interest in popular media. • Assume quieter vehicles may be more dangerous to blind pedestrians, who often rely on hearing vehicles to navigate and travel safely.

  3. Methods • 14 legally blind adults attempted to detect 3 vehicles at 2 test sites: • Vehicles: • Midsize HEV sedan. • Same make and model HEV sedan with Vehicle Sound for Pedestrians (VSP) system. • Same make and model internal combustion engine (ICE) sedan. • Test Sites: • University parking lot. • Roadway near busy interstate and street.

  4. Results • Detection Distance: • Vehicle: • VSP vehicle detected significantly further away than HEV but not ICE. • Test Site: • Despite sound level difference between parking lot and roadway, no significant difference. • No vehicle x site interaction found. • Noteworthy: • Improved crossing margin (from –0.4 to 2.1 s) with forward VSP.

  5. Conclusions • HEV with VSP was detected at significantly farther distance than same HEV without VSP. • Equipping hybrid and electric vehicles with sound system that emits an alerting sound in certain low-speed maneuver conditions may contribute to the safety of blind pedestrians.

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