GreenHybrid - Hybrid Cars - View Single Post - Blind pedestrians may not hear hybrid cars

FastMover · #20 (**permalink**) 06-24-2008, 03:18 PM

Quote:

]From:] Bob Brooks [mailto:robert.brooks@sagemavionics.com]
Sent: Tuesday, June 24, 2008 2:14 PM
To: 'martin.zimmerman@latimes.com'
Subject: Blind pedestrians may not hear hybrid cars[/font]

Dear Mr. Zimmerman,

Your otherwise excellent article on blind pedestrians and their problems with hybrid cars neglected several important points.

The most important one is that alternative technologies already exist that would provide a solution for the blind as well as establish a platform for other types of warnings for individuals with limited or no sight. As an engineer in the aerospace industry I have long worked with transponders. Over the past twenty years these devices have gotten smaller and cheaper. They are now commonplace for applications as diverse as bridge tolls, parking building access, and even HOV lane access.

This technology, deployed as a global transmitter in the vehicle and a small receiver for the blind pedestrian could potentially be utilized to provide additional stereoscopic warnings in the future for traffic crossings, bicycles, electric scooters and a whole host of applications designed to overcome visual impairment. Insofar as cost, the transponder should cost no more that the proposed noise maker, and would be much more environmentally responsible. The receiver would also be low cost, and government assistance with its acquisition would be vastly preferable to further increasing the background noise level in our already noisy cities.

Unfortunately, the Congress, in its rush to provide a stop-gap and poorly thought out solution has orchestrated the hearing in respect of House Resolution 5734 in such a manner so as to exclude both the hybrid owners as the largest stakeholder group (and the ones that will be expected to pay for it), and any proposals from them setting forth any alternative technology. Indeed, this resolution is perceived as heavily biased and is so unpopular among hybrid owners that is now referred to as the “Bell the Hybrids Act”.

A strong motivation for the purchase of my hybrid was the knowledge that it was helping the environment, saving energy and reducing pollution. I never considered for a moment that my decision would result in an actual increase in pollution levels, in this case, decibels. There is irony in all this -- with the very high probability of millions of hybrids on the highways and in the cities in the next few years, the first generation noise makers may not be loud enough, and we may need a louder version on ALL cars.

Respectfully yours,

R. F. Brooks
Aerospace Engineer...
… and proud owner of a Camry Hybrid.
… 44 MPG average to date, (20,000 miles).