A study conducted by Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden found that pedestrians have difficulty identifying the direction of sounds emitted by electric and hybrid cars.
The study analyzed three common types of acoustic signals (AVAS), required by regulation for low-speed vehicles, and found that all were harder to locate than the traditional sound of a combustion engine. Participants also showed difficulty perceiving the presence of multiple vehicles simultaneously.
The experiment was conducted in an acoustic chamber with 52 volunteers positioned at the center of a room equipped with 24 speakers. The sounds played simulated electric and hybrid vehicles approaching at 7.5 meters, with background noises similar to an urban parking lot. Participants had to quickly indicate where the sound was coming from. The most complex signal, composed of two tones emitted by three vehicles at the same time, was the hardest to correctly identify within the ten-second time limit.
Despite the advantage of electric cars being quieter, Chalmers experts warn of the need to adjust sound signals to ensure traffic safety. Sounds created by manufacturers are often not tested in noisy environments, which compromises their effectiveness in real-world scenarios.
Unlike combustion engines, whose sounds cover a wide range of frequencies and are more familiar, current electric vehicle signals still present significant limitations in detection by pedestrians and cyclists.
Source: Olhar Digital | Photo: Freepik | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
