When you just need more noise

Here’s a story that on the surface of it doesn’t make any sense – something in today’s noise-laden environment is actually too quiet. Come again? But it’s true – a recent article on The Economist raised an interesting issue that’s set to become more problematic in the future; electric and hybrid vehicles are too quiet, especially when going slowly. And since most pedestrian accidents happen in the city when going relatively slowly, this is a problem.

On the surface of it, the notion that cars can make too little noise is absurd. But for pedestrians it can be dangerous, as often (too often, I might add. Except the blind who have no choice) we rely on our sense of hearing to alert us to the presence of approaching cars.

There were several small things in the article I didn’t know about, for example:

• Studies have already been done on this and they seem to confirm the concern; people are unable to judge the direction of hybrids by their sound until they’re too close.
• Synthesized noise might actually help reduce noise pollution; sound from the speakers is highly directional whereas the sound of an internal combustion engine radiates in all directions.
• The Fisker Karma luxury electric vehicles (which, btw, will be built in Finland) will have an audio generator. What is apparently so far undecided, however, is just what the car should sound like.

The article also raises a possibility of some new business:

Drivers of electric cards might in future even be able to select different engine sounds, and maybe download them like ringtones.

Now that’s a scary thought. Let’s call these drivetones. I really, really hope that regulators will have the sense to regulate the allowable car noises before we get Crazy Frog drivetones. Just when you thought the ringtone epidemic from some years ago was bad enough, you’re going to get hit by one ;P