Auditory Localisation of Conventional and Electric Cars: Laboratory Results and Implications for Cycling Safety

When driven at low speeds, cars operating in electric mode have been found to be quieter than conventional cars. As a result, the auditory cues which pedestrians and cyclists use to assess the presence, proximity and location oncoming traffic may be reduced, posing a safety hazard. This laboratory study examined auditory localization of conventional and electric cars including vehicle motion paths relevant for cycling activity. Participants (N = 65) in three age groups (16–18, 30–40 and 65–70 year old) indicated the location and movement direction (approaching versus receding) of cars driven at 15, 30 and 50 km/h in two ambient sound conditions (low and moderate). Results show that low speeds, higher ambient sound level and older age were associated with worse performance on the location and motion direction tasks. In addition, participants were less accurate at determining the location of electric and conventional car sounds emanating from directly behind the participant. Implications for cycling safety and proposals for adding extra artificial noise or warning sounds to quiet (electric) cars are discussed.

• Record URL:
  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trf.2015.09.004
• Record URL:
  http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1369847815001503
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/13698478
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Abstract reprinted with permission of Elsevier.
• Authors:
  • Stelling-Konczak, Agnieszka
  • Hagenzieker, Marjan P
  • Commandeur, Jacques J F
  • Agterberg, Martijn J H
  • van Wee, Bert
• Publication Date: 2016-8

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Features: References;
• Pagination: pp 227-242
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour
  • Volume: 41, Part B
  • Publisher: Elsevier
  • ISSN: 1369-8478
  • Serial URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/13698478

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Age groups; Audible pedestrian signals; Bicycles; Electric vehicles; Highway safety; Pedestrian safety; Traffic noise
• Subject Areas: Highways; Pedestrians and Bicyclists; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01607986
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 24 2016 5:08PM