Posted on 11/20/2008 1:45:01 AM PST by CE2949BB
ScienceDaily (Nov. 19, 2008) Important pedestrian safety issues have emerged with the advent of hybrid and electric vehicles. These vehicles are relatively quietthey do not emit the sounds pedestrians and bicyclists are accustomed to hearing as a vehicle approaches them on the street or at an intersection. In a recent study, human factors/ergonomics researchers examined participants' preferences for sounds that could be added to quiet vehicles to make them easier to detect.
Though the safety of quiet vehicles has become an issue for pedestrians in general, it is also of concern to the National Federation for the Blind, which has called for quiet vehicles to emit a continuous sound and for additional research on the subject. The authors suggest that older individuals with diminished sensory and motor skills should also be considered as solutions are developed.
(Excerpt) Read more at sciencedaily.com ...
Personally, I think there should be equal responsibility. When I see someone in a crosswalk, paused, waiting to cross, I stop.
I have an issue with someone just appears there and steps out forcing you to stop from a higher than normal speed without even looking.
I assume, in the country I grew up in, that is called jaywalking...:)
ROTFLMAO!
By the way, Thackney, I presume you supported Palin in the election...:)
and more than once. This has been reported since the Toyota began sneaking around. With golf carts and other carnival rides there is plenty of noise.
Which...in a most satisfying world, leaves skid marks...
In the pants of the arrogant pedestrian who just stepped out and made YOU leave skid marks...:)
I think they are too quiet. I was almost ran over by my son-in-law in a Prius backing out of our driveway, could not hear it. They need a beeber like the big trucks have when backing.
Put baseball cards so that they clatter against the spokes of the wheels. Worked when we were kids.
I do five mile walks with an iPod. I am completely aware, the entire time of what is around me. But my head is on a swivel. I know, given the speed limit and stretch of road, the frequency that I need to look back and see if there is anything coming up on me .When it is darker, I keep my eyes peeled for any light illuminating anything from behind.
If something appears and I am not on a sidewalk, I jump into the vegetation on the side of the road and wait until the car goes by.
I view it as my responsibility.
I used to slam an empty soda can with my heel, then put it on top of the tire resting against the frame. It made a satisfying purring sound.
I did that until I found out I couldn’t get a nickel for a mangled can...
Hehe...a beeber...don’t want to stune any pedestrians...:)
My kid was nearly hit by one in a parking lot. We were standing next to our car when the one next to us started backing up. Normally one uses the sound of a car as the cue to pull your tot out of the way. It’s disconcerting.
In reality I suspect my son/daughter-in-law would probably like to stun me. They are big Obama supporters, donated thousands to his campaign.
Not in the primary but in the general election.
My plan is to put a playing card in the spokes of the wheels.
Require that all hybrids have spoked wheels...
... and include a deck of playing cards in all future sales.
Problem solved.
Wrong-o!
For 4 years, I did a 70-mile round trip commute with about 10% stop and go segment. Mileage, 48 mpg.
Trips to San Francisco 3 or 4 times a year, including 30% stop and go driving, up and down hills, etc. Mileage, 52 mpg. Consistently.Not the sort of difference most reasonable persons would whine about.
Driver input counts, too.
I understand. I always appreciate your posts on energy related issues, and I thought Sarah Palin was the one candidate out of all four in the general election who understood it.
I was pulling for Duncan Hunter, but that was a pipe dream. Then I went for Fred, and when I saw him live in New Hampshire, I was appalled. That was REALLY a pipe dream.
That’s true. I almost got nailed by a hybrid at a gas station.
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