Citation

Brand S, Petri M, Haas P, Krettek C, Haasper C. Int. J. Inj. Control Safe. Promot. 2013; 20(4): 339-341.

Affiliation

Trauma Department , Hannover Medical School , MHH, with Accident Research Unit, Carl-Neuberg-Strasse 1/OE 6230, D-30625 , Hannover , Germany.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/17457300.2012.733714

PMID

23083396

Abstract

Due to resource scarcity, the number of low-noise and electric cars is expected to increase rapidly. The frequent use of these cars will lead to a significant reduction of traffic related noise and pollution. On the other hand, due to the adaption and conditioning of vulnerable road users the number of traffic accidents involving pedestrians and bicyclists is postulated to increase as well. Children, older people with reduced eyesight and the blind are especially reliant on a combination of acoustic and visual warning signals with approaching or accelerating vehicles. This is even more evident in urban areas where the engine sound is the dominating sound up to 30 kph (kilometres per hour). Above this, tyre-road interaction is the main cause of traffic noise. With the missing typical engine sound a new sound design is necessary to prevent traffic accidents in urban areas. Drivers should not be able to switch the sound generator off.

Language: en