The Transport for London (TfL) decided to greatly improve the safety of all road users. It is preparing to add an innovative artificial sound to its electric and hybrid buses. The latest electric buses will play this sound from January next year.
From July this year, EU regulations stipulate that all new electrics need to include an Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS). Hence, cars moving at speeds of less than 20 km/h must have a minimum sound level of 56 dB. The EU regulations also apply to London’s buses. In order to create a consistent sound across the city’s buses, Transport for London (TfL), the transport regulator, has commissioned an artificial sound for all electric buses in the capital.
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The artificial sound itself is a short loop that will play constantly when a bus is in operation. The purpose of the artificial sound developed by TfL is to alert all pedestrians and vehicles to the presence of the bus. Through special speakers on the front of the bus, people will be more careful. Without this sound, London buses are almost silent, which makes them potentially hazardous to pedestrians. Furthermore, research has suggested that people are 40 percent more likely to be hit by electric or hybrid vehicles than one with a noisy engine.
Stephen Edwards, the policy director, commented: “The artificial sound added by TfL to electric buses is a welcome step, which will ensure a safer road environment for all, especially elderly and pedestrians with visual impairments.”
The company that has designed the artificial sound is creating a sound for TV commercials, movies, and games. They claim that it is the first time they are creating a sound for buses.
